Holding Strong

I have to write this blog while it is fresh in my head because, wow! what a race! When we left Cork on Friday, we had all decided, the only way we would have a chance to be on the overall podium is to defend our points over Jamaica. So we set out with that goal in mind. We, or I had no idea it would come down to battling for 2nd place finihs into Ijmuiden! Talk about bonus!

Last night, after we all gathered for celebrations and drinks, I was asked, "how did you like the race" by a friend from Uniquely Singapore. I can honestly say, the only thing I could compare the pressure and stress of that final day to the finish to the rce where we were neck-in-neck with Sthe Singas into NYC! it was so intense! In the last 24 hours of the race, we saw every type of weather, wind conditions and half of the fleet come and go in any direction in and out of sight! There was a point where I thought we had lost the race completly!

its so hard to put it into words for those of you at home. Comin int the finish line, we had Team Finland about 3 miles ahead, and Hull & Humber off our port stern. They hoisted their heavy weight spinnaker and bear away to the west (away fom the finsih line and the direction we were headed).
Analyzing this maneuver, we debated following their lead. but we were holding the same speeds and on a mroe direct course. It was a gamble, but we knew one little mistake and we would lose this podium for sure! so we held off with the hoist, to be safe. Basically handing 2nd position over to H&H. Through all the shipping lanes and anchorages we managed to steer steady and hold speeds.

It as when we noticed the encrouching 4 clippers off our stern, we really cranked it into high gear again! with quick hoist we were back side by side with H&H and steaming!!!!

We were haulin' ass, a solid 12 knots towards the finish line!! Spinny up, skipper on the helm, and the winds building, the milage was diappearing as fast as we could count down! Rockin and rolling watching H&H like looking in a mirror, 2nd place was up for grabs!

Crossing the line just minutes aftr H&H, we cheered for another triangle penant to fly high and proud on our forestay! It was intense and exciting! knowing Jamaica was well behind us, and we were on the podium again!!

Now, one more race to go... Srace start is on Thursday, we will finish in Hull on Saturday to mark the end of a circumnavigation!