Sailing for the "Man Buzz"

The gods are taunting us today. I wonder what we did to displease them. We’re making very slow progress towards Rio as we find ourselves tacking upwind in a very light breeze. It is really frustrating because we're not used to going this slow on our high speed il mostro- especially in the last month of sailing when we have never really stopped! I don't even think the guys would care if we were going upwind in breeze today just so long as we were making meaningful progress toward Rio.

The schedule for the race is punishing this time around. The side trip to China was very costly in terms of scheduling any kind of life. Many of our crew, the Kiwis and the Brits in particular, opted not to bring their families to Rio- deciding instead to take a flight home themselves. It is becoming very difficult to plan a departure from Rio because our arrival date keeps changing so much as we accelerate in every puff of wind every light patch. Consider that today is March 22nd and we have an ETA anywhere between the March 25th and March 29th. The sailing team has to be back in Rio on April second to prepare for the inshore race- if they get out of Rio! With flying time they might get three or four days at home with their families. Rob Salthouse, who hasn't seen his family since Singapore told me that he hopes to get home and spend a few days helping his son Josh prepare for his New Zealand driving test…good luck Josh.

We always talk about how tough this race is and the punishment that the guys take from the extremes of weather, the physical discomfort and constant mental pressure of being in a race. We are playing a mental game right now, trying to concentrate and stay focused. But let’s think for a moment of all the families and loved ones at home around the world or waiting in Rio. They are playing even more of a game of patience. They put their whole lives on hold so that the sailors can, as my wife once put it "race around the world in their little plastic boats covered in stickers getting a man buzz" (she is so right, a very valid way of looking at what we do)!

To be a competitor in the race takes a complete commitment to the team and its goals. Sadly, I can only speak for myself in saying that on occasion, I for one have allowed family life to take a back-seat to the race. It takes a huge leap of faith on the part of the families. They live all the scary moments, experience the long nights, and feel the constant pressure. When the guys hit the dock it's not always easy for them to roll straight back into being their normal selves. They will often be experiencing the whole gamut of human emotion- kids, wives, partners, and girlfriends have to be a support system for the guys. That’s why today, (love you Mum) Mothers Day (in the UK) is dedicated to all families, friends and loved ones of sailors out here today getting a "Man Buzz".

- Rick