DC supporters Update 27th March and message delivered to crew onboard.
The last few days have given us a proper introduction to the North Pacific at its worst. Big, relentless seas, cold that gets into everything, and the kind of conditions that don’t let up. It’s up there with the most brutal sailing we experience, very much like our Biscay crossing.
The wind has finally eased now. We’ve got the yankee back up and shaken out the reefs, which feels like a small win after what’s been a tough stretch. It’s also been genuinely good to see how the team has come together when things were at their hardest. That said, it hasn’t been perfect. We had a few early mistakes that cost us, most notably the wrap and rip of our precious Code 1 😢. When conditions are that tough, it’s easy to slip into just surviving rather than remembering that we’re still racing. That needed a bit of a reset. A reminder to take initiative, to stay switched on, and not to wait to be asked for things that we already know need doing.
With a high-pressure system moving over us, we’ve got a wind hole coming up. Some of the crew are looking forward to it (I’m not!!), but it will give us a valuable chance to reset, tidy the boat, regroup, and get ourselves back into the right headspace for what’s ahead.
One of the things I’ve been most proud of recently is the culture we’ve built and continue building onboard. It doesn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped in the small moments. I have see it shows up in spades this leg: It shows up when people quietly pick up someone else’s duties because they can see they’re not feeling great. It shows up in helping each other into bunks after a tough watch, when energy is completely spent. It shows up in small acts like making a round of drinks, or steadying someone as they move across the boat in rough conditions. It shows up on deck, when someone notices a teammate struggling and steps in without being asked. It shows up in the quiet understanding that this boat only works if we all contribute to it. Because out here, contribution isn’t just about getting jobs done; it’s a reflection of who we are as people and as a team.
We’ve spoken a lot about our values: bringing your best selves to the boat, acting with kindness, being vulnerable. Those aren’t just words we use when it’s convenient or when conditions are easy. They matter most when you’re tired, when it’s not your job, or when you think someone else will pick it up. The truth is, every time someone chooses not to show up, physically or mentally, it has an impact far beyond that moment. It shifts the load onto others. It chips away at trust. And over time, those small gaps can undermine something that takes all of us to build. The flip side is just as powerful.
Every time someone steps forward, offers help, or takes responsibility without being asked, it strengthens the team. It builds trust. It reinforces the kind of environment we all want to be part of, one where people feel supported, valued, and confident that those around them have their back. We already have the foundations of a great culture onboard. That’s clear. But strong teams don’t just create culture; they actively protect it. And now, that’s being tested.
What’s remains ahead is one of the toughest legs of the race. Very few people ever sail across the North Pacific, and for good reason. It’s only just started and It’s long, it’s relentless, and it will continue to be brutal. We are already seeing the biggest seas we’ve faced yet. It’s going to get colder, we are all going to be wetter. We are all going to be even more tired. Yet there won’t be space to step back and hope someone else picks things up. This is our moment. This is where culture stops being something we talk about, and becomes something we live. It’s where we find out who we really are when things are hard, when energy is low, and when the only thing holding the boat together is how well we work together.
So, the challenge for everyone is simple: We need you to show up. We need you to contribute. Pay attention to the moments where you can contribute more. Notice when someone needs support, and act on it. We need to hold ourselves to the standard that this team deserves, it reflects who we are. We all need to bring your best selves to this boat, not just when it suits us, but when it matters most.
Because in the end, it’s not the conditions that will define this crossing. What defines us is the small choices we make, every single day.
Ella Out.
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