Hello~
What a difference a year can make. Leaving Bahrain this year, the wind was glass. Last year, it was blowing dogs of chains, and we ended up delaying the start by a day. Not so this year.
Leaving port is always an exercise in complicated logistics with food and water being loaded, bags being packed and brought to where they need to be in order to make the next port, bringing a little bag of gear for the boat (very small duffle or even smaller), and then any last minute jobs related to setting the boat up for the strength of wind that day. This year there are only four coaches and six Omani girls- which means all are required to take on more jobs. Last year with their introduction into the race, the focus was simply training the four girls on sailing. The girls who were in last year’s program have made substantial strides in their progress. I have been impressed with their ongoing education on racing the boat. They are now being required to self manage their time in order to be in their designated locations. They are held accountable for lines that have been led incorrectly in the area where they do their position on the boat, even if it was someone else (always check your areas). They have been tasked with ensuring the food we prepare the night before (the team does food preparation together), makes it to the boat. Sunday morning dawned, and this shift overwhelmed them – they were late to the marina and were in a flap about the new responsibilities. This is part of the learning process, and in our debrief after the leg they seemed to have better understanding.
Following the opening ceremony, everyone headed to their boats and got ready to head out to the start. The start was postponed as the water was glass- no wind. We motored onward towards Qatar, and just before sunset, the race committee – overly optimistic – dropped a starting line. But with boats bobbing around in the sea, the call was to motor on towards the Fairway buoy, around the other side of Qatar to meet at 5:30 am. We motored all night, passing the massive Shell Oil natural gas plant with flames from their stacks lighting up the skyline. At 5:30 am there still was no wind, so the fleet continued to motor towards Doha in the morning. The water was crystal clear, and I saw a number of extremely large sea snakes! A meter long or so, yellow or brown and white spotted… it was jaw dropping. Makes one think twice about raising your hand to clear the keel, if something gets wrapped around it!
Eventually a nice little breeze came up and the race committee dropped a starting line and we raced into Doha. It was a one track race course- with no passing lanes. We took a risk and hugged the ocean side hoping for more breeze, but it was not to be. We ended up having to come down, and lost boats. This hurry up and wait, and motor, and then all of the sudden race was another interesting learning experience for the girls – an exercise in managing food and rest. None of them ate enough or drank enough – an ongoing work in progress. It was good for them to go through it, and see that this happens in sailing, because the wind is commanded by no person. As sailors, we all have to deal with what shows up.
Arrival in Qatar was fun in the daylight. Last year it was night when we came in. Upon arrival, we had to wait for customs to come down and clear us. They came down and checked our passports, and also went through our little gear bags.
After a good night’s sleep we had in-port racing today. It was a beautiful day of 11-14 knots. We had Al Jazeera put a camera on and then do interviews, follow us and then sail with us after racing. Absolutely terrific to have a news source doing a program on the team. They will air the program near the end of the tour, and will be sure to let us know when it is on.
Today’s racing was short course, day racing. Intense and fast. And racing with the caliber of the boats here is a tall order for the girls. They were game, and tried hard, but rounding the corners was a bit ropey. There is a lot of learning that will be such fun for them to achieve!
Off to a briefing for tomorrow’s leg to Abu Dhabi. Should be a fun sleigh ride across.
~Katie
Sailing Arabia The Tour:
February 10-25 – 15 days, 4 countries, 8 ports of call and 760 nautical miles
…and we’re again making history, as SATT’s first and only Women’s Sailing Team!
Photos by Lloyd Images
