Offshore racing is beyond amazing

Going on vacation requires a lot of effort. The trip planning, coordinating work schedules, finding pet sitters. But once on the plane, it is all forgotten. Kind of like offshore racing. Tom Bowler describes the Marion Bermuda Race:

Crossing the starting line changes everything. Endless preparation, forecasts, long goodbyes now all behind us. The tough beat out of the Bay in the usual smokey Sou’wester, rewarded by finally getting off the wind beyond Sow & Pigs. The sun sets into that first night back at sea.

Onward to the tempestuous Gulf Stream and beyond, executing our strategy and adjusting when needed. Sail changes, patience, grit, two points up, one point down, pressure ahead, trim, trim, trim, harden up, ease, play the puffs…balance.

At first light, easing by North East Breaker, past Kitchen Shoal, Mills Breaker, St. David’s, and over the finish line in Bermuda! A lifetime packed into 100+ hours with the best shipmates ever. Beyond amazing. Let’s do this again!