Blogs

---

"A finish line on the Mersey" 07/07/08

Looking somewhat disheveled the crew of the 07/08 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race arrive back in Liverpool after 9 months of serious ocean racing. I decided that I would go along and be part of the crowds welcoming the crew home and prepare myself for what I may face in 2010. I have been a supporter of Glasgow; Scotland with Style since the beginning due to my family connections to the city and that it also had the only female skipper in the race, Hannah Jenner, what a girl! They have had a fantastic race with a podium win for every leg and an overall 3rd place. New York were overall winners and the pride on their faces beamed through the crowds. Ultimately all the crew and their skippers are winners because they have all succeeded in a dream they never thought possible. They have all worked as hard as each other, pushed themselves to the limit and overcome fears that made this challenge what it is, about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

After the ceremonies to welcome the boats home the fleet of boats looked to be resting from their journey, nestled up alongside Albert Docks in friendly Liverpool. I watched the crew unload their salt laden and damp belongings from their boats aided by family members who have eagerly awaited their return. I guess for many of them it is the beginning of different journey. Most are unsure how the race will have affected their lives, if at all. For certain it is about memories and a great sense of achievement. I can’t help but think what next for them and wander if Clipper provides debriefing to help these people adjust back to life again. For some they have given up their whole lives to be part of this challenge. Most have sold everything they own, some even their homes. It’s amazing what a taste of life on the ocean wave can do.

I had wandered if it would be a good idea to see the finish, afraid it may take away the unique feeling of my race finish. I guess in a way, it does but I was not emotionally connected to this race. The 09/10 race is mine and will be a very different story to the one I saw this weekend. This weekend I faced a true reality of the race. The glamour has to come face to face with reality of fatigue, sleep deprivation, personality clashes, not winning and leaving it all behind, stepping ashore to most probably a slight anti-climax and the big question of “What next?”

I was lucky to have the chance to talk to some of the crew who stepped off this race and their words were of encouragement and determination. I even had a chance to talk to Hannah, skipper of Glasgow about her man over board situation on the Durban to Fremantle leg. This was a harsh reminder that even in a well-organized race such as Clipper this is dangerous territory and that ocean racing can be a life and death situation.

Back home now and I am back to work on my fundraising campaign and that now its all about the 09/10 race and I have to work my hardest to get to that start line. I am already racing through an ocean, beating my way against the headwinds trying to find ways in which to make this dream possible. Just getting to the start line may be an equal achievement to me as a race through the southern ocean. I am steering to my course, taking small knocks sideways but pushing forwards and determined to make it to that start line. Persistence is key.

Lois x