Wow. In less than 24 hours my mega-challenge to race a yacht across the Pacific Ocean will be over! We didn’t win the race – the crew of the winning boat, Gold Coast Australia, are already there enjoying warm beds and cold beers*, grrr – but I think we did pretty well as a team, and it’s been a privilege to be a part of the crew. There have been a few black days, weather-wise and mood, but to be honest, that was always going to be part of it. And if it was going to be easy I wouldn’t have wanted to do it as much! This has shifted my adventure calibrator up a notch – it’s going to take some beating.
So we’ve sailed 6,200 miles so far, with just 189 to go – from Qingdao in China to Californ-i-a. We all thought it would be warmer by now, but my breath was misting in my bunk at 05h20 when I had to get up for my deck watch, and the wave that hit me in the face this morning was freezing. The sea is massive today – really breathtaking, and pretty hairy – and yesterday, hoisting a storm jib from the bow involved a good soaking and big adrenaline-kick in the Force nine conditions.
Quite a few of the crew have been injured – sprains and strains, and injuries from falling as the boat moved unexpectedly – it’s a core workout just putting your socks on. Overall, 29 days at sea working hard, sleeping little and eating for fuel has been a pretty good diet and exercise boot camp. I can’t wait for some fresh fruit and veg though! There are only so many bowls of instant noodles and freeze-dried mixed veg a girl can enjoy. This time tomorrow it’ll be a proper meal and the first shower since 4 March. Bring it on! I’d recommend the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to anyone – you don’t need to have any sailing experience to apply, and you can do either a leg of the race, or for people looking for the adventure of a lifetime, a whole circumnavigation! 10 months, 40,000 miles, with some amazing like-minded people.
Visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com for more info.
*At the time of writing, Mary-Ann was not aware that the Gold Coast Australia boat had been hit by a wave and was receiving emergency assistance from US and UK Coastguard agencies.
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