Race 14 - Day 5
Crew Diary - Race 14 Day 5
25 July

So, I’m nearly back in England for the first time since April. It’s been an amazing adventure and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been excited, terrified, bored, exhausted, and hotter/colder/wetter than I’ve ever been before. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people and managed to live and work alongside them while floating around in a box for weeks on end. I’ve laughed till it hurts with the banter but also sat under the stars in silence as sometimes there are just no words.

I’ve seen dolphins day after day but never got bored of how they duck and dive under our bow.

I’ve swam in calm sea water, hotter than a bath, and been knocked over by icy waves. I’ve sailed through the Panama Canal with huge container ships and I’ve also gone three weeks at a time without seeing a boat or airplane - just sea as far as the eye can see.

I’ve sailed in shorts, covering myself in suncream whilst sailing where the Titanic hit an iceberg.

I’ve fallen in love with sailing. I’ve learned skills that will be with me forever and other very niche skills that I will never ever use again as of tomorrow.

I’ve experienced thunder and lightning like never before. From all directions in the dead of night where the flash of light gives a fraction of a second of visibility - just enough to see the excited smiles on your crew mate’s faces as they too hang on for dear life.

I’ve been to bed three times a day which makes every day feel like three. A week is like a month in this boat and you feel like you are away for much longer than you really are.

I’ve turned off from work, the news, social media, and the internet and rediscovered long in-depth conversations/discussions/debates/ arguments that don’t include a phone to ‘google it.’

I want to travel more. Everyone I’ve met has got amazing stories of places I’ve yet to visit. I’ve got a lot of friends from around the world who I’ve promised to visit from Malaysia to China, Venice to Boston, and California to London.

I’ve seen leadership at its very best. I’ve seen how two men can lead, instruct, inspire, motivate, and take responsibility for the lives of 20 people, 24 hours a day with no break. With a smile and always happy to find time to answer the same questions they’ve been asked a hundred times before by a new and enthusiastic crew member.

Back in Portsmouth in the Spring of 2023, on the day we were put into our crews, someone said after doing the Clipper Race you will never complain again about being too hot, too cold, or too wet. They also said you might think it hasn’t changed you but it will - it can’t not change you.

Thanks for your interest and support in my adventure. Collectively, all 11 boats have raised approximately £435,000 for UNICEF which is amazing - especially in light of all the work they are doing out in Gaza at the moment.

If anyone would like to add to the fundraising pot then please feel free to use the link: www.justgiving.com/team/zhuhai (Leave me a little message too).

Right, I have two hours left of my four hours off to sleep and eat. Thanks for reading my update. Lots of love from my bunk on Zhuhai. X