Winter 2024/2025

It’s currently “silly o’clock” in the morning, and I’m frantically writing this blog post in a train station because, four days ago, I received a text that means I get to do something cool—the sort of thing you drop everything for, move meetings (sorry Ian, Steve, and Allie), and cancel plans with friends (sorry Octavia). So, I guess spring has sprung, and it’s time to go back to sea.

The Brutal Reality

Winter in the world of single-handed sailing is not the most exciting. I spend more time at a computer than most of my friends in the corporate world, doing rather “adult” things. I should probably do a better job of updating my social media during winter, but posting about Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations somehow doesn’t feel right.

As far as I am aware no one is reading my blog for Excel hacks?

I’ve been trying my luck at solo offshore racing since 2020. Every winter, I start full of optimism, ideas, and the belief that my entrepreneurial skills will hold me in good stead. As winter wears on, that optimism begins to fade as I watch from afar while others announce their racing projects for the season, secure sponsorships, and begin training. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m still stuck; it’s like I’m at a rock-climbing gym and can’t even figure out the first handhold on the wall.

At some point this winter, after the FOMO and, if I’m honest, jealousy got too much, I tried to finally join the corporate world. I nearly made the leap in January 2024, but for a motorway being closed, making me late for the interview, and so I didn’t get the job. This year, on my way to another interview, I witnessed two vans collide in front of me, rolling across the motorway and creating chaos. Luckily, I got through unharmed, but it meant I arrived late (and very sweaty) to the interview. I didn’t get the job… because I was late. Apparently, even if I wanted to join the real world, the real world doesn’t want me. Maybe it’s a sign? A sign I shouldn’t give up on sailing just yet—or at the very least, stop driving to interviews for the sake of road safety.

I guess that means you’re stuck reading these blogs about sailing for a little while longer.

 Winter Training

Well, my training involves everything related to sailing except for the small aspect of actually getting out on the water. I read books, run, and hang from bars all in an attempt to make myself a smarter and better sailor.

Back to the present

As for where this train is going and what I’m going to do when I get off it?

I’m a little sorry to say lovely reader but your going to have to wait to find out…..