Had another rough night, no not regarding blowing too hard, just hard on our minds, as again we lost miles against the two boats behind us. We had to tack a couple of times to clear real estate (land), and by the time we had arrived the wind had shifted enough for us to lay through. That's life.
A big bummer that Delta Lloyd has suspended racing as well, this way we will not be with many boats at the starting line for the in-port race, which is in roughly in 1.5 week and it will be tough for these guys to stay ashore and see us going sailing. Not many boats on the line mean fewer opportunities to gain points on the race leader.
I have just been on deck and drove during a sail change, the most striking thing was the colour of the sky, just love to look at winter skies. It was nippy on deck, but not freezing anymore, as we have a ‘warm’ wind direction. You can see clearly the effect the cold is bringing, as everything takes a bigger effort to do.
My back is behaving so-so....need to have a lot of needles, snakes, Chinese medicine or whatever it takes to get me fixed. I am determined to be onboard for the next leg, as sailing around Cape Horn is one the things I don't want to miss.
Jono (Jonathan Swain/RSA) is having his birthday, and got some nice mails from his kids, I wonder if a present will appear for him during the day, let see what Gabry (Gabriele Olivo MCM) has packed. Talking about Gabry, we have been hitting the jackpot having him onboard, not only for his camera work, but as well always running around and cleaning up, emptying the bilges, cooking meals and all that with a huge smile on his face. It takes a lot, being a superb yachtie himself, and not to be allowed to help sail the boat. But he has clearly set a goal: to do his job 100 percent!
Daryl (Daryl Wislang/NZL) is going better, doing little jobs inside the boat, but has not been on deck yet, but I think he will be fine for the next leg. The rest of the guys are all well, maybe looking a bit tired after not much sleep these last days, but they know they can catch up soon. Right know their motto is: win this ‘bloody’ leg. I am sure this was the hardest challenge most of them has ever faced, and not sure so pleasant for each of them, but they will soon forget. That is what the Volvo race has taught me, you forget the bad times, and remember to good times.
I can see the majority of these guys doing the next race as well and I am sure teams will line up to get them onboard.
Cheers,
Bouwe Bekking - skipper
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