Race 1 - Day 29
Crew Diary - Race 1 Day 29: Liverpool to Punta del Este
18 September

The Run In and The Big Day: 18th September:

So the end of our marathon Leg 1 is almost upon us as we now approach the finish line.

We are 30 degrees south and I have already started praying that we are in before the 20th, mainly to avoid my role as a domestic cleaner that day (wishful thinking). The crew are always in the nav station asking, "Are we nearly there yet?" like children in the back of the car on their way to summer holidays. I am going to miss my Leg 1 leaving crew members who are due to end their race in Uruguay, But I'm also looking forward to the new faces and characters who will be joining us to race to South Africa, hopefully with good ideas on how to add creative flair to our menus, and help with boat maintenance in Punta del Este too.

We are all now focused on not only the prize but getting to land as soon as possible. Chasing down the leading pack at full tilt day and night is a hazardous strategy and after a hectic night flying the spinnakers to their limits, the Code 2 Spinnaker is being stitched by Andreas and Bern in the sail locker.

Last night all 3 night shifts were record breakers for Qingdao, recording top speeds of up to 19 knots on both watches, interspersed by near broaches, spinnaker wraps and too many winch overrides to mention. When Even Watch came off at 4am, we were all so relieved to be down in the saloon without major catastrophe that it was teacakes and high 5s all round (we know how to party, aye!). We did feel anxious for the oncoming and slightly subdued Odd Watch, as we filed off down the companion way leaving them in the pitch darkness with the wind and high seas roaring all around, we entrusted them to deliver us safely through the night once again.

Whilst waiting for the inevitable “Extra hands needed on deck!” shout, I for one believed that sleeping fully dressed with my life jacket beside me was my most pragmatic option, given the conditions outside. Quite surprised I awoke at 6.30am to find that I had slept blissfully unaware of and through said call, only to find some Odd Watch crew were now busily beavering away at the bottom of my bed/cave hole, each of them in the process of wooling and packing a massive snake like Code 2 Spinnaker - that very Code 2 which had been so highly charged at the bow of our boat only a few hours earlier.

A hearty breakfast was served by today's mothers Bastiaan and Tanya at 0715 before our watch was back up on deck at 0755, eagerly awaiting the main event for the day . The skipper rose to stand at his altar (the ladder at the top of the companion way) in order to oversee the watch changeover but also to brief and debrief the crew on the day and previous night's events. Suddenly a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday Dear Skipper" broke out, as did a very big smile on the skipper's face. Followed By Chief's irrepressible battle cry of “Qingdao, Gyo- Gyo-Gyo”. Right, party over! Well, maybe a cake later - who knows?

Back to the race, we hoisted the Code 3 Spinnaker as soon as we could. We are now racing on the coastal approach north of Uruguay with Paraguay to the west of us. The weather and slow moving wind hole now in front of us over the next 24 hours is our main gamble as we try to evade its clutches. This last weather system will decide the fate of the top 6 for sure. Fingers crossed it will be a birthday present to remember Chris Kobusch's 33rd birthday. Happy Birthday Skipper! You know we would have all brought you presents if it hadn't been for your stingy 15kg kit allowance.

As ever, I cant wait for Uruguay the opportunity to sleep in a bed that's not already been brought up to temperature by my off watch buddy, take a freshwater shower, sit on a real life-size toilet, not to mention eat fresh food.Love to my family and friends and my three special little ones Nina, Lani and Annie. It's good to know that whilst we are wet, sometimes frustrated and always exhausted, mostly isolated from the real world (oh, and Facebook!), the people in our lives back home are still following our race.

Still longing for land Wi-Fi and VOIP. Hasta la Vista, Al x