Rum was the drink of choice for me and my new friends as we crossed the finish line of the 2020 Brisbane to Keppel yacht race.  It was 6:15am, sunrise, Sunday the 2nd of August and I didn’t drink rum, until then!  

I was toasting the completion of my first ocean yacht race with the crew of ‘Fruit Salid 3’ the beautiful Beneteau First 40. My exhaustion-infused elation had me celebrating and reliving many ‘firsts’ with these five men, all unknown to me just 48 hours prior. The skipper and his crew were celebrating many firsts too, all of which would make great stories of salty tales as is expected after such an exhilarating challenge. 

An ocean yacht race was a dream for me, which became a goal. After all I was in a hurry to participate in such events and gain experience to learn and contribute productively to the next event, and the next! I was thrilled to be a part of this team, congratulating, exaggerating, laughing, and learning after our two days and two nights at sea together. But even more impressive was the skipper and crew who welcomed me on board just 16 hours before the race began. The only female, the oldest crew member and no ocean racing experience. 

How?.....Well, the seed was planted at a routine WAGS on the Wednesday beforehand. My skipper from ‘Broadsword,’ (a magnificent Archambault 40), Peter Kruger, mentioned to me that a yacht needed a crew member for the B2K on Friday. He knew of my goal to sail in an ocean yacht race and thought I might be interested. Hesitating, I simply asked ‘would you take me if you were going?’  ‘Yes’ he answered! Buoyed by his confidence in me, I considered it. I was willing. I wanted it, but maturity and common sense filled me with questions. So I slept on it.  

My adventurous spirit prevailed and on Thursday morning I sent a message to RQYS with my inquiry; ‘I’d like to sail in the B2K, tomorrow!’ Bek, the race organiser understood and sent this message out to all the skippers participating. By 3pm that afternoon, ‘Fruit Salid 3s’ owner and skipper, Mark Drobitko contacted me and said he could do with one more crew member, 
(after all they would like longer sleep breaks!) We met briefly, and it was decided I needed to be on board tomorrow morning at 7:15am. 

It was happening and I needed to get equipped. I borrowed wet weather gear and thermals, bought a Personal Locator Beacon and new deck shoes (a slippery mistake!) and chocolate coated coffee beans. Oh, and I told my adult sons that I would be incommunicado for several days at sea, then packed my bag. 
I arrived at 7am, met the crew and familiarised myself with ‘Fruit Salid 3.’      

The conditions gave us an invigorating first day. 25-30 knot south easterly winds had us surfing down silky waves, accompanied by dolphins and whales close enough to touch. Our spirits were high. The atmosphere was filled with our confidence, enthusiasm, and excitement.   We blew the first kite at sunset! 

My shift comes around quickly that first night. At 2am I am hunched down in the cockpit, shivering, teeth chattering in the cold drizzling rain and I ask myself ‘why?’ as I had momentary thoughts of a hot bath, a soft bed and a stable toilet. I knew I had to shift these thoughts quickly to keep my enthusiasm alive. Then, as if on cue, the stunning silhouette of a dolphin appeared as it leapt out in front of me, a black shape in the night gifting me with the present. Alerted, I look up and notice an ethereal white rainbow, a phenomenon projected onto the moonlit horizon. Its veil of delicate silk inviting my imagination to explore beyond it. I am certain the man in the moon ‘winked’ at me and I wondered if I was dreaming. But I was wide awake and silently grateful for the gentle, welcome rain. I could see the glow of a companion yacht in the distance, and I felt privileged to be a guest in this exhilarating aquatic theatre, choregraphed by nature. We eat Tim-Tams, trim the sails and I am warmed by the activity.   

We blow the second and last kite the next night. After this ‘all hands-on deck’ event, we watch the numbers on the tachometer drop. Our skipper remains positive and reassuring. We sail on. The second night of my first ocean yacht race is energising and I know I’ve made the right choice. I think big. I make plans and continue to dream.  
Docked, and with ‘Fruit Salid 3’ at rest, the stories continue. We are loud and preserved with rum and salt, it feels good. We feel heroic. We congratulate ourselves as one, we are a team.  

As the celebrations continue ashore, I quietly reflect. I feel grateful for the inspiring sailors I have met over the past three years, female and male, young and not so young, for sharing their honest stories of endurance and resilience, infused with humour, all unique, all impressive. I contact my ‘Broadsword’    sail-mates, update them, and thank them for supporting me, equipping me, and enabling me with the opportunities to prepare for my first ocean race. They reply with hearty congratulations and I miss them. I climb Fan Rock at Double Head. ‘Fruit Salid 3’ looks peaceful from this distance. 

I was thrilled with this experience to say the least, but more thrilling was the opportunity gifted me by like-minded persons who ‘got it,’ a silent understanding, no explanation needed, a serendipitous gift. Thank you, Mark, Dan, Mick, Tom and Evan.

So, what’s next on my liquid horizon?  I’m not sure, but my bag is packed and I'm ready to set sail again……tomorrow!