Race 14 - Day 2
Crew Diary - Race 14 Day 2
22 July

I think Perseverance is the perfect name for this boat. It means much more to me than its literal meaning. It is in a poetic way the perfect description of the connection we as a team but especially as ambassadors have with the Princess Máxima Center. There are times when I have a bad day, that I have migraines or are seasick. Then I look up at the main sail where the logo of the Princess Máxima Center is located. Then I think of the children who are in the hospital, and often of the children and the friends I had in the hospital who had not survived. Then squeeze myself that I am sitting here on this bizarre boat. That I’m alive.

For me, this is the ultimate challenge in perseverance. And with that, there is a parallel with when I was sick as a child. But unlike then I now choose to do this and I know that I can overcome the difficult moments and that I get great moments in return. The power that you experience when you manage to push through the difficult moments is huge. The feeling that nothing can hurt you.

For me, Perseverance is pushing my limits.

It’s the memory of feeling very conscious that I am alive.

It is experiencing what a team can do,

It is adventure, it is friendship, it’s saying ‘We are a team, no matter how different we sometimes are.’

This journey has been the biggest leap into the unknown ever for me. But I'm glad I did it. If you had told me a year ago that I would do this, I would have laughed very hard. But see, you can do much more than you think.

Now that the second race of Leg 8 has started, I notice that the atmosphere is great. Everyone knows each other from the previous race and has the energy to give it everything. Enjoying is a word that I hear a lot. And also "my own bed in less than a week." But I am sure that from that own bed many people, including myself will soon dream about this boat, wishing that they would be in their 45-degree heeled-over bunk again with the team feeling and the adventure. For now, we have a few of these magical days left and we will enjoy it. Because only a few more daydreams and it is over.