So, going back in time to what seems like forever ago now, finishing the race! As we went on watch at 4am we saw the mileage to the finish was creeping down. If we keep up good speeds, we thought, we might just make the finish as the watch changes! As it turned out we made it with 30mins to spare. With just 3miles to go, watch leader Matt asks if I want to take the helm! Hell yes! The countdown was exciting and a slightly confused sea made the steering a bit tricky, plus I was being distracted by the other watch constantly asking how have through mouth fulls of bread (still no toaster!) and porridge! Crossing the line was a bit of an anti climax as the waypoint on the GPS didn’t agree with the waypoint on the Seapro so missed the real finish and had to check with Skip and Charles in the Nav Station to make sure we had crossed the line! Still an amazing feeling to know that we’d made it over 6,000 miles across the North Pacific in winter and finally achieved our goal – with another podium as well!
Arriving in San Francisco and entering under the golden gate bridge was a really surreal experience. The weather was so damp and miserable that we couldn’t see it until we were about a mile away! As it slowly loomed out of the mist the size of it blew us away. It made our little boat seem even smaller! Once under the bridge we were met as usual by the media boat with Austin (maintenance) driving, Ian and Carey (media) taking photos and filming, and Joff (race director) doing his usual VHF thing and looking important. We were asked to raise some more sail and head back out towards sea please… WHAT?! Just a ‘quick’ photo shoot later we were rushing into the Marina to catch the customs people before they went home, we would have stuck on the boat otherwise! Lots of people’s family and friends turned up to great them in, but my rents were nowhere to be seen! There excuse was they thought we were in already so there was point in rushing to see us in! However, just half an hour after we landed they were there and there were more than a few tears – most of them from the male rent!
Once I’d been to the hotel, had a shower, put some real clothes on etc it was the usual port drill. Two and two half days boat work, crew meal and prize-giving. In between all this we managed to cycle over the Golden Gate bridge and back which was cool, do some shopping (shocked faces!), and ride the trams and eat at Pier 23. Prize-giving was at the yacht club on our last night there before heading out, with a guest appearance from the American Coastguard who helped with the California rescue. It was quite emotional as I said goodbye to all of my amazing team mates and all our friends of the other boats – especially as it was the first time I’d seen Melissa and Chris off California since waving at them across the water. But all good things must come to end and this has been the best. Ever!
The boats have been delayed departing and are due to leave on the 19/20th April depending on whether Finland will make it in or not. They’re still out there soldiering on! I hope you make it guys! xxx
Arriving under golden gate!
On the pontoon
Celebrating at prize-giving at the Gloden Gate Yacht Club
Sail halfway around the world through some of the worst weather and then get stuck by by a bit of dust!! There is nothing you can do about it so enjoy SF whilst you can - you may even get the chance to see the boats off on the next leg.
ReplyDeleteSee you soon
Uncle Peter