Role: Racing Crew / Boat Captain
Across the Atlantic on an Imoca 60
A fast, unforgiving race and a reminder of what determination looks like
By Liz Wardley · 3 min read · The Ocean Race Atlantic
Sailing out of New York with Embrace the Challenge, we knew the Atlantic would test us. The race to Lorient was 3,200 nautical miles in a new-to-us IMOCA, against a strong fleet, with very little room to ease into the job.
Our crew - Ollie, Marie, Lincoln and I, with Paddy documenting life onboard—had worked hard during our training delivery to Newport to learn the boat and each other, but training only takes you so far. Racing is where every system, decision and relationship is put under pressure.
The race started pretty slow and became progressively bumpier and more demanding Soon we were reaching hard across the North Atlantic, balancing speed against the need to protect the boat. Life onboard became the familiar offshore rhythm of watches, sail changes, weather decisions, food grabbed when possible and sleep measured in short bursts in between violently crashing off waves.
Then came the moment we all dread: damage to the mainsail. There was no pause button and no outside help. We had to assess it, adapt, and keep racing. The repair cost us time, but the response showed practical thinking and commitment to getting the job done and get back into the game. 7 hours sitting in the boom sewing and gluing the leech of the mainsail later, and we were off!
We closed the gap to the fleet ahead and finished fifth. We would have preferred a stronger result, but the race gave us valuable lessons, a substantial job list and a deeper understanding of how to race these boats in brutal conditions.
Thank you, Embrace the Challenge, for having me…... now onto a new adventure!