We just finished the leg to Singapore. I have to be simple with my thoughts because I am too tired to get really in-depth. We finished second on this leg and hats off to the Telefónica Blue team for their leg win.
And I can officially say that it was one of the most stressful seconds in my sailing career.
Let’s just take the last 24 hours:
The lead changed hands amongst the top four boats more times than I can imagine. We anchored twice. We were solidly fourth several times. We were winning several times. We were picked off by a tug and barge at the most critical time of the leg (about 15 miles from the finish trying to keep both Ericsson boats from rolling us). We saw more fishing boats and ships than any of us had ever seen before. We just missed massive logs and hunks of rope and other debris on many occasions. We had to dive on the keel to get a tree off it. No one on the boat really remembers the last time they slept or ate. Let’s see - anything else I have forgotten? Sounds glamorous eh?
We are powering in from the finish now and our entire team is relieved as well as anxious when we think about what was and what could have been. The team effort on this boat was nothing short of spectacular. The intensity that has to take place 24 hours a day is like nothing that I have ever experienced. A good group of guys, who I believe are proud of what they did over the past 10 days. Even if we did get nipped out by one other boat in the end. That battle amongst the top four was ridiculous.
So, time soon to see the families and friends on the dock. Always an emotional experience. Many of the guys are flying home soon to be with their families over the holidays and I know that all look forward too that.
PUMA Ocean Racing wishes all a wonderful holiday. And please let me know how it goes because I think I may be sleeping all of Christmas day!
Kenny Read - skipper
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