Nautical notions…

About a week ago I made the somewhat impulsive decision to apply for a sponsored place on the 2013 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. It wasn’t completely without thought as I have been toying with the idea for several months and had, in fact, pre-registered my interest in the race online after which they sent me a fat glossy brochure detailing all the various requirements, commitments and schedules concerned. I worked out that in all, it was going to cost me about £10k to undertake one leg of the race, with travel and kit costs on top, so I had decided that it was an indulgence I couldn’t – and wouldn’t – afford. I duly recycled the brochure and put the whole idea to the back of my mind. Until I discovered that Gore-Tex are footing the billfor three lucky applicants and so I threw my sou’wester into the ring! To date there are about 160 applicants of varying ages, abilities, nationalities and gender. The majority seem to be thrusty young bucks and does, all with some passion for sailing and most with some experience of doing so. When I filled in my application it was on the spur of the moment and I had no idea then that it would subsequently be viewed by anyone visiting the website! But the first challenge is to win votes so I have had to advertise my ambitions amongst my family and friends and, by now, at least 147 of them have read my application and voted for me. There may well be another 100 who have read it and NOT voted, of course! I feel lightly exposed as I am not usually one to flaunt my desires or fears in public but, I have to say, I am so surprised and gratified by the response that I can only feel chuffed. Of course, selection is a long way off and only 12 will be initially chosen on the basis of votes (but not exclusively) and general application. The final 3 will be selected over the course of a weekend in Southampton in May. But I remain confident and strangely optimistic. The leg I have applied for is the toughest in the whole race – The Southern Ocean and the Roaring Forties. (Leg 3 on the map)Both names which strike a chilly sliver of fear in me but which also conjure up historic and dramatic achievement in the lives of sailors across the ages. What an achievement that would be indeed, to conquer the roller coaster of massive seas, freezing temperatures and colossal winds. What a terrifying, dreamlike challenge to fight the fear and the frailty of the human mind, body and spirit and race through the dark, stormy nights of the soul and the sea combined! Most of my family think I’m mad, but are being wonderfully supportive and have been instrumental in drumming up votes.

In the meantime, I have been enjoying(?) a mental roller-coaster of my own, dreaming of lumpy seas and frozen digits, damp under-garments and crashing nausea! As someone who hates big dippers and heights and that yawing feeling of falling, I have opened myself up to all manner of  horrors and terrors, both imagined and real, and yet my anticipation of exhilaration appears to be winning the day. Fingers crossed….

Should anyone who reads this feel compelled to add their vote, please do so at:-

http://www.experience-tour.com/tour/clipper-round-the-world-yacht-race/applicant/1973/

Thank you!