Race 13 - Day 2
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Den Helder, Netherlands
19 July

Junior Hoorelbeke
Junior Hoorelbeke
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A new world

The race has almost come to its end. For those who did the whole round the world tour, this means the end of a remarkable year filled with unforgettable memories and friendships for life. But also a long awaited reunion with friends and family. However, from the leggers who already went home, we hear about their struggle to fit back into normal life. They are already searching for the new challenge as the world around them seems less adventurous as it once did. We RTWers can only imagine how it will be for us. One thing is certain, it will be a new world we enter.

First of all, as for a great number of the RTWers this last year asked for such an immense sacrifice of quitting a job, selling a house, that there is not much to go back to at first sight. Others saw this challenge as a good moment in life to make an evaluation and will use this experience as a boost, both professionally and personally and a step to the next great adventure. We often also ask ourselves the question how this experience has changed us, and our view of the world. Probably only our closest friends will be able to answer this question in a month or two.

However it is not only us that has changed, the last 11 months a number of atrocities have happened. Attacks in Paris (120 deaths), bombing in Brussels (34 deaths), violence in Nice (84 deaths) and a failed coup in Turkey (265 deaths). Bearing in mind that the history of our last stopover, the city of Londonderry, is mainly determined through Bloody Sunday where

14 people were killed in 1972. A day that still defines the life of an entire community. Terrorism is now a reality of our lives and unfortunately will influence our future. A long time ago for us, sailing across oceans was terrifying, but now I would sail into hurricane Colin any day with a smile, but probably think twice when going to public event.

Therefore living towards the end of the race is done with a mixture of feelings such as happiness and satisfaction as well as fear and sadness.

But before we enter this new world, we still have to win this round the world yacht race.