Race 1 - Day 33
Crew Diary - Race 1 Day 33: Liverpool to Punta del Este
22 September

Jeremy Hilton
Jeremy Hilton
Team Greenings
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How much tighter can a race be? Over 7000 miles covered and 8 boats are within 42 miles of each other, with Sanya Serenity Coast in the lead and, as at 6 this morning, had 72 miles to go. We're 333 miles behind and have everything to play for. When you read this, you will know who has line honours, but not necessarily who won; we're sailing as fast as we can...

You've heard the tales of Madamoiselle Fifi and Freckles, and we await the return of The Prodigal Son (our Code 3) in Punta (we hope). We held Fifi into the night last night and it was such exhilarating helming. It is difficult to convey the feeling you have when the stars are guiding you, you have a compass and windex to help (all other wind instruments absent), and a someone alongside riding check helm to help keep you 'in the groove' and to provide the encouraging speed numbers. This is critically important when squalls come over and blot out the stars leaving you forging ahead into the inky darkness, and your senses can play funny games causing you to stray from the best course and leaving you prone to overpowering the spinnaker. 15 knots VMG (i.e. in the direction of the finish) was relatively elusive but, as the evening unfolded into night, this crept up. I was mother yesterday, but this didn't stop me taking turns at the helm as we have reduced the helming team to maintain performance. With a watch change, and increasing winds, Fifi was brought below early this morning and awaited morning for a rehoist.

Organisation and focus is key, especially at the closing stages of the race. We can't ease off and sail safely as we have fought so hard for so long; and it has been a long race. Keeping routine whilst pushing the boat and ourselves as hard as we dare is important as the crew need rest and food (another cry of “VANG!” in the background) to be able to keep going. Mother has become more of a team effort, but still the heads, grey tanks and bilges are routinely addressed. It is sure sign of the strength of a team that when tensions rise in the environment (you cannot imagine the seeming turmoil and chaos of spinnaker hoists/drops and foresails up and down like yo-yos to keep speeds up as high as possible at all times – especially in the dark), the internal tensions stay calm as possible with smiles and supportive words all around – within and between watches. Yes, there is a lot of shouting, but that is the only way to be heard with the noise of the sea surging by and the wind in the rigging. The noise at the back by the helming stations is constant and it will be strange not to hear it when we finish.

We are beginning to think about the work that needs to be done in Punta del Este; the deep clean, repairs and maintenance, and also some time off. Changing the crew and watches between the delivery and Leg 1 took a little adjustment, but the Leg 1 / Leg 2 change will be very different. Still, that is a few days away so no time to really think about it, and Charlotte has put together the outline plan for us. Now it's time for a few hours sleep (well, I'll be lying down at least), then back up to continue the chase. Just over 300 miles to go, and the possibility of some good points – all being well...

Love to you all, Jeremy xx