1823 nm, 15 days, one Ocean
27 JUL, 2024 “First night of our longest crossing, first sunset back at sea. We got into a big squall and let me tell you, I’ve never seen the ocean in such a magical setting. Rain pouring down from the sky, glistening in the last light of the sunset and setting everything around us on fire, which then reflected off the stirred up sea. Words don’t come close to the way it made me feel. One of these small moments, where nature is so present and so much magic is set free. A moment, where everything seems so loud and immediate, but at the same time, the whole world shuts down and everything is at peace.”
29 JUL, 2024 “I remember so vividly how I always thought crossing an ocean would be something I wouldn’t dare to put on my bucket list. I knew nothing about sailing, so it seemed unrealistic, too big, too scary. Too dangerous to do myself. And now I’m sitting here on my night shift. The moon is up, the stars are bright. Waves glistening with bioluminescence. I’m watching shooting stars, munching on some chips, listening and singing along to country music, as happy as can be. Carried on by the wind and the waves, grateful for life, grateful for the chances I get. I really hope I’ll never forget these nights, where every shooting star put a big smile on my face, feeling so small in this big, big world.”
3 AUG, 2024 “So many emotions. We were able to contact our families today, halfway through our sail to the Maldives. (Originally Chagos, but paradise island can hardly replace a lost rudder right?) My heart feels warm, I am so lucky to have such an amazing family at home, always cheering me on. My girls spent my early night shift with me, everyone filled with love, talking about life, all the things we already experienced and what’s to come for each of us. I love them. It’s so good to be surrounded by likeminded people who always pull you up and push you beyond. I’m so grateful. And there is so much out there waiting for me - maybe my own boat, maybe the love of my life, maybe a home in Australia? Everything can happen and that’s just great. I am free.”
4 AUG, 2024 “Stillness. No wind in our sails, no movement. Just us in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by nothing but blue. We have officially reached the doldrums. Nothing could’ve stopped us from going for a swim. Finally. So freeing, to feel something different, to be in a slightly different environment after so many days at sea. Floating on the open ocean, looking down and seeing sunbeams making their way to the depths of the sea. I enjoyed this so much.”
7 AUG, 2024 “The wind shifted, it’s now coming directly from the front. We changed the sails to a close haul and I spent my shift observing the wind and trimming the sails - I forgot everything around me. This really showed me that I am growing to love sailing and that it really is something I want to continue doing.”
8 AUG, 2024 “During my night shift a big storm hit us, I kept the helm all by myself. What an insane experience. To be standing out there in the middle of the night, in the middle of the storm, all by yourself and managing this challenge, sailing a boat through it. What once was my biggest fear is now one of my favorite memories.”
10 AUG, 2024 “So - we made it! 1,823 nautical miles in fifteen days. The list of things that broke underway is beyond long, but hey - we made it! And we had a great time despite, or maybe because of all the challenges, I wouldn’t want to change a thing about the past two weeks at sea. It feels very weird to enter civilization again, I would prefer to stay in my little bubble. Here in Malé there’s so much traffic, hustle and bustle, it’s very intimidating right now. I can’t wait to get the boat fixed and back out on the ocean again.”
