I wrote this blog on Tuesday night with four hours to go to the finish but I never got around to sending it.
Hi Guys,
I am so sorry I haven’t written any blogs for the last few days. I have been concentrating so hard on getting this boat to the finish line and just wanted some time to myself to focus. I also have had the small problem of having no fingers. My nerves got the better of me and after chewing through my finger nails I moved onto my fingers. I am typing with my nose.
I have just come into mobile reception and blackberry is going crazy. I can not believe how many people have been e-mailing me with support. I have only flicked through a couple as there is at least a weeks worth of reading but I am so so grateful for all you support. I f I had had any idea you were all e-mailing me I would have kept blogging over the last few days. I so hope you haven’t lost interest and will check my blog when you get up tomorrow (Wednesday 17th)
Well I am here, I am in American water, I can see Martha’s Vineyard. I am approximately 35miles from the finish. That’s 5-6 hours if the wind keeps up. It is by far the best evening of the whole trip. I have a steady breeze from the NE I’m sailing at 6 knots under asymmetric kite. I am listening to the stereo and wondering if I really have to finish - to top it off it’s a lovely sunset, I have just had an amazing meal – (mutton stew mum). This is what life is all about. I am even writing this in the cockpit.
The last few days have taken there toll on my nerves. I can honestly say I have not enjoyed it at all. I have learnt that there are two parts to the OSTAR. There is the challenge, the taking part, the making it, the beating the Atlantic and then there is the race; the trim trim trim, no sleep, push push push. The race has spoilt the last few days as I have not been able to relax or enjoy this amazing experience, I have just had to concentrate on Grib files, gybing angles, cutting the edge off the shallows. The possibility of a win. I’m sure I will soon forget about it but over the last few days I wish i had been coming last and then I wouldn’t have been under so much pressure. It all started on the 2nd night when my shroud broke, I got a text from Richard – ‘Will, you legend, keep it up, you are winning’ Ever since that text message, for the last 21 days I have been trying to ignore the possibility of me getting that result, fighting between keeping the boat together and sailing as fast as I can.
Anyway, I am here, I am spitting distance from the finish. I may do quite well. What a 3 weeks. I look at the time and it feels like ever and like yesterday at the same time. I have missed my friends, family, Tam, like mad. But I have loved the being at sea. I love the sailing, the daily challenges, the being self sufficient and most importantly the freedom.
So in the last 23 days have I found myself, met my inner demon, discovered who I am. No, I haven’t I have just confirmed what I already knew. That I, Will Sayer can do anything if I put my mind to it. As my mother said when I was little, ‘You can do anything if you try hard enough’. If you look at the route I have taken to get a boat, repair it, make the modification and get to the start line, it makes the race one tiny chapter of a seven year story.
I have written a lot of blogs on this trip that I chose not to upload. I am quite pleased I didn’t post one in particular. The first week of this adventure must have had Elmarleen looking like a disaster with bits breaking, falling off, snapping. Well we have had a few challeneges along the way, but I wrote a blog pleading wither her to stick together until the finish. Well, in a less tired state, I take it back. Elmarleen is a tough little boat and more than capable of cross the Atlantic. I have huge confidence in her and what she can do. The majority of breakages seen at the beginning of the race were not show stoppers and never would have been but were due to lack of time on the water before the start. They would have all been highlighted weeks before the start if I had just got out there and done more sailing. The Atlantic finds these weaknesses and expose them straight away, it did that alright, but once it did and we had them sorted Elmarleen has been brilliant.
Only 4 more hours to go. Fingers crossed this wind holds together.
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