Leg 8 - Race 14: Den Helder to London & Race Finish!

Race start out of Den Helder

The last race began at 1400 local time on July 28^th.  I wrote down nothing from the race as we were going strong the entire time with no time for breaks. It was neck and neck the entire race. Depending on which tack you were on, you may show up in first or fourth, that is how close we all were.

Trying to take the win!

Trying to pass Derry, they are so close!

One memorable moment I remember from the race is when Jesse informed us that we would be crossing our own path. Although, it was just random coordinates in the middle of the ocean, it was quite meaningful to all the RTWers on our boat. 51°30'2 N, 0°57'5 E, that point marked the spot where we officially circumnavigated the globe! There were cheers and tears all around and lots of hugs to be had. Then it was back to the task at hand, trying to keep up and overtake Derry!

We really gave our supporters a show as it came down to the wire. We were neck and neck with Derry, only 0.01 nautical miles between us. So much support and commentary on our Friends and Family Facebook group as we neared the finish line. We held strong and crossed the finish line in 2^nd place. Derry crossed at 2014:39 UTC on July 29^th and we came shortly after them at 2015:08 UTC, only 29 seconds behind them! It was a great finish and well deserved by our team. And I’m sure this made for a fun birthday viewing for Mama Hobbits!

Waving to my in-law's family!

It was late in the day, but no one was tired, champagne was flowing and lots of singing and dancing was to be had. We made our way down the Thames River and into St. Katherine’s Docks on the 30^th, bright and early. I even had a lovely surprise waiting for me in the crowd…my brother-in-law’s family came to cheer me in! It was great seeing family so far away from home!

And there they are in the crowd!

Receiving our 2nd place flag!

Sending photos to home via Ali!

It was a crazy day and there wasn’t much time to do anything! There were quick prize givings aboard each boat for the Race 14 victors and then the overall race prize giving was held up on stage as each team came up celebrating their amazing accomplishments over the past year. Although, we finished the overall race in 8^th place (still quite good considering how many times we were close to last), we managed to pick up the overall Stormhoek Social Spirit Award! I think this was a greater achievement than coming in 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place because our journey was so much more rewarding than just competition; this was an experience we will never forget and we made friends for life and I think our supporters probably did too!

Winning the Social Spirit Award meant that we also got to partake in a Stormhoek sponsored party that afternoon! So it was off for a very quick check in and shower and then back to the docks where the celebrations continued. Of course, no Visit Seattle party would be complete without some Rum and Gingers, so James so kindly made that happen by bringing a case of Mount Gay for us all to enjoy at the party. James and Ana were even behind the “bar” mixing up the drinks for us! I saw the staff looking at each other skeptically wondering if they should really being allowing us to bring our own alcohol and serve it, but I think it was anything goes at that point!

 

That night was also the last official crew party for all crew. It was a great night with lots of dancing. Jesse went out with a bang! And then disappeared off for an early flight home in the morning!

The next day, a majority of the team for all legs met up for breakfast at Tom’s Kitchen, the very place we started this journey before we headed off for Leg 1. Friends and family came and it was a nice good bye meal for many of us departing London that day. At some point, I made my way back to the boat to search every crevice for anything that I had left behind and made a large drop off to the bin with stuff I’d never like to see again! Jan was also onboard trying to download all the media files so he could share them with the team later. One of his friends met up with us and we ended up reminiscing at the bow over some beers. Emily, her brother, Jon, Hollywood, and Matt all ended up joining us at some point and we had a nice little evening chatting the night away.

Good bye breakfast

On the 1^st, I went and watched my home for the past year motor away back to Gosport. This time I was on the other side helping with the lines. Although, sure glad I didn't go on the delivery back...they hit quite the storm! 

I moved into the Airbnb I’d be staying in for the next week until my parents arrived. Did copious amounts of laundry and sorted out my belongings of what was staying and what was going. This is also when I decided it would be a good idea to wash my Nike’s which reeked horribly bad…word to the wise, don’t try this! Apparently, even though I was just washing the shoes and not drying them, the temperature was too hot and ended up melting my shoes! They are now permanently curved and the bits on the bottom have melted off. They will still last me until I get home though!

If anyone was wondering...the nepresso
machine made it around the entire world with us!

And now we arrive at August 2^nd, my 32^nd birthday! Posh took me out to a delicious breakfast in the morning, then I met up with Karri who took me shopping, and treated me to a blow out and nails! I hurried back home to change for the evening as Karri had arranged for all of us to meet at a nearby pub. So many people from the boat turned up, even friends from other boats.  Amancio and Leo who had been on the boat delivery back to Gosport even managed to catch the earliest train back to attend the event and my brother-in-law’s brother and girlfriend showed up too and last but certainly not least, a friend from home managed to stop by after work too! I sure felt the love that night!

I would have never thought that I’d be celebrating a birthday in London, let alone after circumnavigating the globe with so many new friends! It was a great year and ended with one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had!

Until my next adventure… ;)