Is one crew member tearing his hair out already?
These sails are pesky things!

How do I feel as a Mum/Mom of one of the participants – proud, excited, and, truthfully, scared out of my skin.

In the words of the inspirational founder of the Clipper organisation, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston…

I often say that while our race is open to all levels of experience, no one has told the ocean that.

The seas and weather systems have scant regard to whether you are a novice or a paid professional and both have to accept that they need to be ready to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at them. Our crews understand that and the level of training we give them and the miles they now have under their belt ensures that they are well prepared to deal with any situation.

And as the poet and prophet Kahlil Gibran said…

Your children are not your children.
They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you, but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love, but not your thoughts.
For they may have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls belong in the house of tomorrow which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth…

Sxx