Anticipating Auckland

As Team SCA approaches the finish line in Auckland of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, Annie Lush sends us a brief update on the closing stages and the imminent arrival into the City of Sails

"Less than 400 miles to go to dry land, new sights (as a first time NZ visitor), and most importantly a bed (oh, and a glass of wine)! It seems like nothing, five more watches on deck, one more full night of darkness to battle through, three more freeze dried meals to endure. We've covered over 6,000 Miles already on this leg from Sanya aboard our pink Volvo Ocean 65. That totals over 50,000 miles we've sailed on her, so 400 is a walk in the park, right? It might be only 400 miles but don't be fooled, much is still to happen. As I sit here typing we're moving along nicely, pointing at Auckland at about 15kts. But we know by nightfall this will all change. Our breeze is dying, the top of the island is going to be tricky, with currents, transitions and holes of no breeze at all (never good on a sailing boat). This means endless sail changes, no sleep and plenty of coffee required! We still have a lot to fight for. The leaders of our fleet have stretched away, getting into the new breeze first after our exit from the Doldrums, but we're expecting them to slow down before us as we approach Auckland. This gives us an opportunity with two boats in our sights that we're determined to pass before our much anticipated arrival.

The atmosphere onboard is electric, people are restless, trying to grab a few last hours sleep but not able to settle with the knowledge of what lies ahead. It feels like we've been dreaming of this stopover forever. We'd barely left Sanya before talk of what our arrival to Auckland might be like had begun. Will there be people doing the Hacka? What should we eat first? How many spectators will there be? Which bar will we go to? It was the only thing keeping us going in those first few treacherous nights, as we fought upwind through big winds and slamming seas out of China. But as much as I long for the comforts of civilization I always have a slightly anxious feeling approaching land. We've been out here for 22 days, just us, the sea, the sky and our competitors. There's been no phone calls, no emails, no weekends, we don't even really have day and night. Life is in a four our cycle, 4 hours on deck, 4 hours 'off' (if you're very lucky), with only thoughts of how to go faster and how to out smart your competitors at every waking moment. There are no bills, no Facebook, no TV, the only screen I watch is to see the glow of our competitor's tracks on the map. That's very rare in life.

As is it rare to see every sunset and every sunrise for 22 days,(probably not something to aspire to if you like sleep, but it's worth it). Each sunrise experienced on deck is magical, it's as if a great weight has been lifted and a new leash of life injected into the sleep deprived crew. The orange glow of the lit compass numbers slowly fade and as the dark, muddling veil of night vanishes, suddenly everything becomes easier.

You can see the waves you're driving through, the trim of your sails, or even where you left your water bottle in the flurry of the nights racing! In contrast sunsets have a calming influence onboard. On our journey we've seen many and they never fail to impress. Red slithers of sun rays cast across the sky lighting small whispey clouds and turning the sea gold. Even dolphins jumping in the foreground, you name it we've seen it. I often think if you were to paint these scenes or take a photo people would think you'd altered them, but it does exist and it's enchanting. That's probably why as the sun sets each day, even on our toughest days, there is a sense of euphoria on deck.

Everyone's eyes are smiling, no matter our position in the race. I guess it's because we know that while we might be lacking sleep and real food and days off, out here in the middle of the ocean we're experiencing something very few humans have the chance to.

We're the lucky ones.

Blog written for New Zealand Maritime Museum (www.maritimemuseum.co.nz)

Annaleisha Rae
Travelling Press Officer Team SCA
Email: annaleisha.rae@teamsca.com 
Mobile: 34 616 960 617

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About Team SCA
80 percent of SCA's consumers are women, and through its everyday products the company supports women empowerment and freedom to participate fully in society – socially, educationally and professionally – by giving them access to hygiene products and education about hygiene solutions. SCA is ranked as a global sustainability leader both when it comes to people and nature targets. Team SCA Women Ocean Racing is participating in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 with an all-female crew. SCA is entering the race with the world's best women offshore-racing sailors, who have the ability to work together as a high-performing team. For more information, visit www.sca.com/teamsca