A daring charity sailor has put the ship back into relationships after finding love during a 40,000 nautical mile race.
London Colney adventurer Shona Davies travelled half way round the world last year to crew a 70-foot yacht across the southern hemisphere in aid of Mind in Mid Herts - but got more than she bargained for when she met new beau Justin at the bow.
She is buoyant: “I am absolutely head over heels, he is amazing, he is absolutely incredible. He comes from Texas and is the sweetest, kindest, the most wonderful man I have met in my life. When I came on this boat it was all about me and now, not so much.”
Shona’s Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is made up of eight legs over six months. Shona and her boat, Dare to Lead, recently achieved silver medal in race one of leg five.
She hopes to raise £20,000 sailing 5,000 miles from western to eastern Australia and 7,000 miles from Australia to northern China via Sanya.
Shona decided to push herself to her physical limits after she suffered a mental breakdown in 2015, and is raising for the charity which helped her, Mind in Mid Herts.
The next race, which starts on Sunday, will be her last before returning to St Albans: “I will feel a bit of both happy and sad - I would like to stay on the boat a bit more with Justin and the crew but I have done what I came out here to achieve. It’s been absolutely fantastic.
“I am having the time of my life, we got second place on the last race and we worked our socks off so it’s absolutely amazing.”
She has also been honoured with Full Deck Boss for keeping check on the bow, after working hard day in and day out: “I think I would probably put the worst moment at when we are boating into the wind and you have to zig zag and live at a 45 degree angle.
“Trying to brush your teeth requires every muscle in your body and getting into your bunk is like trying to climb a mountain. You are hands and knees getting yourself up and it is horrible.
“I have learnt tolerance and patience. I like to think I was a tolerant and patient person before but you have no idea what that means until you have 14 days living at a 45 degree angle.”
Donate to Mind at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shona-davies-Clipper1718Read Shona’s blog at www.shonadavies.com
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