PREFACE: I wrote this post while in the Philippines but did not have time to post it before departing on the race to Qingdao, China. It is now about four weeks old, but still holds true.

I’m writing this post from Subic Bay, Philippines where we are now 50% complete with the race. I’ve been reflecting on sailing 24,622 miles around the world and visiting six countries in the past six months. 

Most recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Team Scotland in the race from Airlie Beach, Australia to Subic Bay. Scotland were short of the requisite crew and Team Qingdao had enough to spare. It was an opportunity to sail with world-class skipper Heather Thomas (the winning skipper of the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race with the all-female crew on Maiden). I had an amazing experience for which I’ll be forever grateful. I will sail with Team Scotland again, this time from Subic Bay to Qingdao, China. We depart February 22nd. [UPDATE: I will be sailing with Team Scotland for Leg 6 (Qingdao to Tongyeong to Seattle) and Leg 7 (Seattle to Panama to Washington, D.C.).

We have faced fierce seas and storms (25-foot seas and 62-knot winds) and the stillest wind holes (boat speeds less than 1 knot). Bitter cold and extreme heat – and all temps in between. I’ve endured painful heat rashes and frigid fingers and toes. We have seen albatrosses, frigates, guillemots, humpbacks, orcas, sperm whales, pilot whales, countless dolphins and spectacular bioluminescence. I’ve twice sailed across the equator – once north-to-south and then south-to-north. We’ve battled hardships above deck and below. Through all of this, I’ve become a stronger sailor, better teammate, and more self-aware individual – the growth you would expect from such an adventure. 

Through all of the miles, I have seen what good leadership looks like and examples of poor leadership. Engagement, communication, integrity, and emotional intelligence are integral to leadership (to name just a few characteristics). Baseline mastery of these is difficult enough on land, let alone in the pressure cooker environment of ocean racing. Skippering an ocean racer is a tricky balance of sailing tactics, safety, and people management. I think many onlookers overlook the importance of the people management component. In my experience, so far, the sailing is the easy part (and the sailing ain’t easy) . . . it’s the people part that requires the most attention and care.

I am really looking forward to crossing the North Pacific and coming into port in Seattle mid-April. That will feel like a homecoming of sorts. I look forward to seeing our rocky, evergreen coastline and familiar faces. I miss my home community of Astoria, Oregon. I miss my friends, my family, and my partner. Seeing and hugging those familiar faces will be soothing.

I have been told that returning to normal life after the race can be a difficult transition, so I am trying to live in the moment. To take it all in. Every good day. Every bad day. And all days in between. But without trying to speed up this incredible experience, I am looking forward to my return home after we finish the race in late July.