Pushing through adversity

Food for thought:

"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities."  -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind" -- Author unknown.

"Fortune favours the brave."  -- Publius Terence

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."  -- Arthur C. Clarke

This sampling today is courtesy of inspirational-quotes.info

A lot of these musings could be applied to the competitors of the Vendée Globe race.

Today's update

Derek Hatfield has made it back to Les Sables d'Olonne and his team is now evaluating the extent of the electrical problems and other issues with the Algimouss Spirit of Canada.

Three competitors have now officially retired because of the breakage of the main mast on their boats. Acquarelle.com is the latest to limp back.  Skipper Yannick Bestaven tells Vendéeglobe.org the story:

"The seas were still very rough and I was letting out a reef at the foot of the mast after ploughing through two huge waves, which had swept over the deck. The boat suddenly crashed down onto the third one and the impact was violent, leading to the mast to come out of its step and fall down in 3 pieces. Fortunately, I was wearing my harness , which saved me and the mast came down beside of me without touching me. In the dark of night, the mast was pushed along by the waves and kept banging into the boat. I had to cut off the shrouds and stays. I couldn't recover anything, and threw a year's work overboard. This is the worst thing that could have happened. I feel exhausted, disheartened to see our round the world voyage finish in this way"

On the brighter side, the weather changed for the better today, and the remaining competitors were able to breath a little easier.

Dee Caffari aboard Aviva explains:" The difference today is unbelievable. The sky is clear apart from cumulus cloud, the sun is shining and you have great visibility. The wind has now moved and is coming from the north and I am sailing in much better conditions, smoother water and with a full main and code 3 up. I can now try catching up with sleeping, eating and generally living." 

Caffari was able to speak by radio to the other woman in the race, Samantha Davies on Roxy, and they decided to each drink a cup of tea in celebration. At the time of this writing the women are sailing in the 12th and 13th positions.

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