Leg 7 of the Clipper round the world race. Shortly after leaving Seattle, we were reminded that the Pacific is cold and provides wind that heels the boat to 45°. Despite these challenges, we are again blessed by the ocean’s beauty. A whale was spotted during the day, we heard the breath of another very close to the boat in the dark, and the dolphins, highlighted by luminescent plankton, affectionately referred to as mermaids, made their evening appearance dancing in our wake.
After six days, we finally feel the temperature start to rise. Although the temperature is a little bit more bearable, the seas are very rough and the winds are gusting from several different directions making helming a challenge and trimming the kite a constant barking out the order to grind, ease, grind, and ease over and over again. The challenges of the ocean are again accompanied by its beauty. We are treated to blue skies and white cap peaks on dark blue waves for miles in every direction. In the realm of the sea life, it was reported that a shark was seen next to the boat. I would love to have seen that.
It is day seven and the first pair of shorts have made their appearance on the deck. It’s genuinely warm. Yayyyyyy! The wind is very light and we know that it’s going to be a slow finish to Panama. The skipper brings out his whiteboard with a hand-drawn picture of a cactus with sunglasses commemorating that we are now off the coast of Mexico.
The skipper reviewed our situation and confirmed that it was going to be a very slow finish; however, we were in third place and we were the first boat through the scoring gate earning three points. We would love to maintain or improve our third-place position on the podium. The Zhuhai crew always believes that we are one of the top boats.
It is not a surprise, but the sun has drastically improved the morale of the crew. There is laughing storytelling and even the suggestion of playing a game when we reach the upcoming wind hole.
Panama Canal here we come!