Race 13 - Day 16
Crew Diary - Crew Diary: Race 13
11 July
It was a warm welcome back to the team when I met them in Washington DC three weeks ago. While I left them in Punta del Este, in Uruguay, after Leg 1 and returned to the normal race of my life, nine of my teammates continued their race around the world and were now looking forward to their final leg home back to the UK. I was really looking forward to joining them again but also a bit hesitant to find out how Leg 8 would turn out to be compared to Leg 1. I have to admit, after such an amazing first Leg, my expectations for the upcoming leg where quite high so, I could not help myself wondering if Leg 8 was going to disappoint.
Some of the small practical inconveniences of Leg 1 had found inventive solutions over the last 30,000 miles. The cutlery drawer in the galley that used to slide open whenever the boat heeled over to port is now nicely hold back by a bungee; the endless chopping of butternuts, onions, garlic, pumpkins during galley duty in order to prepare a healthy meal for 23 people had turned into a gentle opening of some tins and cans - but is still putting a smile on team members faces when done with a lot of love.
Where, on Leg 1, we were all newbies, overly enthusiastic but totally unexperienced, learning and getting used to the race-modus of evolutions and sail changes all together, the team now had multiple qualified watch-leaders, all competent and confident to run the cockpit and the deck. They take on the never-ending flow of questions, buddy up with leggers, sharing their experience, helping us out and sometimes confusing us because they have all developed a slightly different way of getting things done. The enthusiasm of the first leg has turned into routine and competence over the last year. The new leggers, by contrast, make up with commitment and energy for any lack of experience.
What has not changed is the fact that it seems like the last 30 minutes of every watch are the busiest ones. It’s like just before watchchange someone wakes up thinking “let’s make the best of this watch” and throw in one final evolution even if nothing really happened during the previous hours.
And of course, the team spirit on board: the true Dare To Lead mentality with camaraderie, humour and openness towards everyone that puts in his best, as he/she is.
Up till now, Leg 8 has lived up to my expectations. Now we just have to win.