When asked to write today’s blog, my fellow watchleader said “We got up, crossed the starting line, and got into watches”. Those of you who know me now smile, since you know this would never do for me on a day like today.
Maybe a bit surprisingly, or maybe not at all, there were quite a number of people who got up early to grab a last shower on land, knowing we won’t be feeling this clean again until we get to the other side.
After a briefing from the Skipper, we slipped lines and lined up on the side for more photos – and it was rather touching to see and hear with how much emotions our four Gran Canarian were sent off. Again, many of us spent a good bit of the motor to the starting line on the phone – again aware of how long it would be until we get to exchange messages again with our loved ones. I can only speak of myself; some of the messages I got at this time will be reread again and again; from inspirational “believe in yourself”, “don’t let any doubts convince you that you’re not cut out for this lunacy; you’re a sailor, we’re all cut out for this lunacy”, to philosophical “marvel at creation’s amazing awesomeness” to emotional “looking forward to our triumphant reunion”, and many more. What they all have in common is that they come from people who for some reason or another have taken an interest in my life and are aware of the importance of this moment.
In light of all this inner sea state, crossing the starting line was almost anti-climactic. A short signal, and the skipper’s words “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re racing!”, that was it. We continued as before, and have since then. It almost looks like the only differences to the training days are the engine not going on even in light winds; the change to brown paper bags for toilet paper and the routines of checking fruit and vegetable every day and cooking what is about to go off – but I am certain I am not the only one feeling completely different. Having been told that the world is a safer place if I keep my thoughts to myself, I will not share too much here – only that I am grateful for this opportunity, for the people who support me in this; that I am looking forward to discovering more of both the sixteen personalities on board and the amazing blue expanse we sail on; that the first 24h of the race have been largely uneventful, and that we are all nicely settling into the routines that will be ours for the next however many days.
Anna (WL)