Aberdeen's Kristie Reid updates from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
by Jessica Gray 23 Sep 2013 15:18 BST
23 September 2013
Kristie Reid and Dame Ellen MacArthur © Jonathan Brady / PA Wire
Currently passing 175 nautical miles to the west of Cape Verde, 600 miles off the coast of Africa and 14 days into a gruelling 33 days at sea, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust ambassador Kristie Reid is along way from home. But with 2085 nautical miles left to go in the first leg of the prestigious Clipper Round the World Race, she's a long way from the finish.
Aberdeen's Kristie Reid (20) was diagnosed with Biphasic Synovial Sarcoma in August 2009, a rare form of cancer that formed in the joint of her left shoulder. Having first learnt to sail with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Kristie finished treatment in February 2010 and is now part of the 19 strong crew on board 70-ft Clipper yacht 'Great Britain'. Having setting sail from London on the 1st September, racing in a fleet of 12 yachts, Kristie is currently 14 days in to her Trans-Atlantic crossing to Rio da Janeiro, Brazil, in the first leg of a 40,000 mile race around the world.
Settling into life at sea, Kristie has already experienced the rollercoaster of emotions this notorious offshore race puts the crew through. Kristie explains "The Race start in Southend was fantastic, there were supporters lined up at the Pier cheering us on. It was an extremely chaotic start, however we were 4th to cross the line and quickly moved into first place. Our celebrations were short lived as light tricky winds meant we fell back in the fleet after the first hundred miles on our way to Brest, France.
Since leaving the coast of France and heading out into the open Atlantic we have experienced a few breakages, which have been both disappointing and frustrating, as they have all had the potential to impact on our race. A fault with our water maker and a rip in our medium weight spinnaker has put the team to the test, but after pulling together we got the breakages fixed and we are back on track!
Whilst onboard the crews work hard to keep the racing boat performing, Kristie was surprised by the experience, "I completed my 'mother duty' late last night and the word I would use to best describe that 24-hour period would be relentless! Mothers drop out of the watch system and spend the day cooking and cleaning rather than sailing. It's a day of constant washing up, preparing food, teas, coffees and cleaning. Our reward was a shower and a 12-hour sleep. Somehow I still feel tired!"
Announced as the official charity of the Clipper Round the World Race 20013-14 back in October last year, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a charity that aims to give young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing. Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, the Trust has grown beyond every expectation into a national charity. Working with every young person's primary cancer care unit in the UK, taking young people aged between 8 and 24 sailing, who are in recovery from cancer.
Follow Kristie's story: Kristie will be keeping the Trust and her supporters up to date with her Clipper adventure with her blog available on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust website here – www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org
Show your support: Show your support for Kristie and her life changing challenge - uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClipperRace13-14
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is 10 years old! Change the lives of more young people affected by cancer by donating £10 www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/10thbirthday #EMCTrust10
To find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org