NIKKI HENDERSON

PEOPLE NATURALLY GRAVITATE TO CERTAIN CREW ROLES ON BOARD BUT COULD THAT BE HOLDING YOU BACK?

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Yet another wave slammed into our topsides. The carbon drum hull of the yacht we were racing echoed with a thunderous hum as we accelerated, surfing a wave. We were flying! And then we weren't. SLAM. The boat crash-gybed, rounded up violently and then stalled.

The companionway was a mass of people scrambling into foulies. The boat slopped about in irons. Gong, gong, gong went the broken checkstay as it swung and clanged against the rig.

And me? I stood frozen, can opener in hand, assessing the carnage. Amazingly, the pan was still on the stove. But its contents? The ceiling had turned red. The floor resembled a murder scene of squashed meat. I put my hand to my forehead, dreading the clean up, only to feel coagulated tomato paste binding my already-matted hair into one sticky lump.

As the least experienced crew member, being relegated below decks during an emergency is a rite of passage for offshore sailors. This was one of my first. I was 18, on a 78ft maxi, somewhere between Sicily and Gibraltar, fresh out of school, and very green. Fortunately in that moment, green in skill, rather than seasickness.