Heather Fell is currently competing in
Race 14 from New York to Londonderry of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
as part of Team Jamaica Get Alright.
The
nerves have suddenly kicked in. Due to problems with my visa, just getting out
to join the Clipper Race has been such a rollercoaster ride that I feel
exhausted and drained of all emotion. I arrived in New York only thirty six
hours ago and felt nothing. I was dropped at North Cove Marina to meet the
Clipper team and felt so unappreciative when they asked how excited I was; I
was numb. I put it down to jet lag but in hindsight I realise it was nerves. As
an athlete I would yawn continuously and always sleep on the bus on the way to
the venues. I think it must be a coping strategy. After an afternoon nap and
two undisturbed sleeps the reality of the task ahead is finally dawning on me
and about time too as we are one hour away from leaving land and won’t see it
again for another two and a half weeks.
I am doing
my best to commit to paper how I feel. Right now it is excitement - I just want
to get going and find out what is in store. I've heard enough and it varies
from "it'll be the best experience
of you life" through to "you've
no idea what you've let yourself in for". It’s time to find out for
myself.
Everyone
else seems to be doing jobs right now. I've offered to help and hate being a
spare part so thought I'd get out of the way and have a moment to myself. There’s
a hubbub of activity on all the surrounding boats and the skippers are all away
at the final briefing. I get the feeling Jamaica
- Get All Right (the boat I'm on) is laid back. We have had meetings the
last two mornings and, afraid of doing anything wrong, I've been sat ready on
the dot waiting to go as the crew arrive in dribs and drabs over the course of
the next thirty minutes. I'm certainly not complaining as it’s allowed me a
moment to reflect on what has happened the past few weeks. I genuinely can’t
believe that I’m about to sail across the Atlantic!
