It is time to open up my blog about my personal dream and adventure which I started several years ago with the goal to sail across the Pacific on board of a race yacht. I was almost there with Clipper Round the World race on board of WTC Logistic, called „Black Betty“ when in March 2020 after a race in the South China Sea from Subic Bay to Subic Bay in the Philippines the whole adventure was terminated by COVID19 washing us off our beloved boat and tearing a committed crew apart.

Now two years later there was a very tough decision to take. Will I continue? The world is different today. I am not that easily available due to a commitment for our Startup which I founded with three other guys and friends. This little „plant“ still requires a lot of attention, my partners require my dedication. So stepping back on board for the Pacific leg? It just was not possible from a timing perspective. I am living in the US at the moment and we are part of a program that will last till July. So I need to stay. But what about the dream? Crossing an Ocean on a race yacht?

There is also another aspect. 2 years have passed. I am naturally 2 years older. Yes still healthy, knock, knock. But now I am way passed 60. Strength is not what it was before. Fitness is OK. Still I am becoming an old fart. So should I bother an ambitious crew with my aging problems?

I gave a long long thought in order to see what I can do to bring both things together, Startup company and sailing dream. I contacted Clipper and asked whether there is any chance to sail leg 8 instead of leg 6. And thank you Clipper, it was possible. With the OK from Clipper there was no reason for any afterthought – my decision was clear – I am returning toi „Black Betty“ and out team but this time sailing leg 8 instead of leg 6.

LEG 8
THE ATLANTIC HOMECOMING LEG

ROUTE EAST COAST, USA – UKSHARE FACEBOOK TWITTER LINKEDIN GOOGLE+ REDDIT STUMBLEUPON

While this might be the homeward bound leg, there is plenty of racing still to be done. With an Atlantic crossing and an emotional homecoming, this is one of the most sought-after legs on the race. And, with almost 40,000 miles of racing already behind you, there are still valuable racing points to be won. The podium places on the overall race have been decided on the last race of Leg 8 on the last three Clipper Race editions.

The weather might be mixed but the competition is hot, with teams battling it out for the final race points. The first race takes you north and a check of the sea temperature will tell you when your racing yacht is getting a helping push from the Gulf Stream. A further check will tell you when it gives way to the cooler Labrador Current and the mixture in seawater often produces unpredictable fog banks. Your last ocean race across the Atlantic might seem like familiar ground, especially to round the world crew, but don’t take this mighty ocean for granted. You need to stay focussed, race hard – and sail safe. The route will have waypoints to avoid any risk from ice and will take you close to the Flemish Cap, a fishing ground made famous by the book and film, The Perfect Storm.

Then it’s a 2,000-mile blast back towards Europe and one of the warmest welcomes of the whole race in Ireland.

With your odyssey almost over, it’s a great place to gather your thoughts and put your achievements into perspective. But still the challenges come thick and fast. A short and intense race from Ireland back to the finish port, more important race points to collect and a hero’s welcome. More people have climbed Everest than sailed around the world. Circumnavigating members of the Clipper Race crew are about to join that small and elite group. These final miles have all the pressure of extra time in the World Cup final. Although it’s not just the winners who receive a hero’s welcome…

The team has a new leadership for the rest of the race. Dan will be our skipper bringing us home to Europe through the outstanding 3 legs. Yes, You might remember him as he was our AQP for the legs 1-5. So he knows everybody in the crew quite well. He is supported by Ineke who takes the position as AQP.

The round the worlders are back on board. Dan and Ineke together with the highly qualified team of the Tech squad of Clipper have prepared the boat for the homecoming after they were moored for two year in Subic Bay.

The crew is out in the South China Sea for a 6 day training. Once they come back they will put final touches on the boat, get it victualed and than the will head off to the longest race ever in the history of Clipper Racing, a 8000nm leg from Subci Bay to Seattle. All stopovers to China had to be cancelled due to the Zero tolerance COVID policy of the Chinese government.

This leg is huge and a true challenge for any sailor. It start in Subci, a light wind territory which is located in the tropical conversion zone. The first couple of days will be dominated by thermal winds and require a pathfinder sense to find the fastest route. Once arriving at thew North tip of the Philippines an area of trade winds is entered between Phillipiones, Taiwan and Souther Japan. In addition very strong currents at the Taiwan cost and in Southern Japan will add to the sailing challenge which very likely will be closed hauled on starboard tack.

Once close to Japan it will be time to grab a low pressure system to get a slingshot into the might Pacific. Oh and yes if you think of the Pacific and Hawai, you have a wrong imagination. No trade winds, no warmth. The boats will take a great circle to the North in order to take advantage of the current flowing West to East in the North. Also in the North you have the weather systems that will allow reaching corses with fast sledge rides. Yes it will be cold, grey and windy. But that is what everybody who signed up for this leg is looking for.

As I have to stay ashore for this leg I will follow the crew of WTC Logistic and I will keep you posted how we will be doing. And On June 14th I will head out to Hamilton to step on board „Black Betty“. I am happy being back!