Over
the years and decades, we each have met individuals who have fostered
our talents, hard work, and determination in order for us to become ‘the
best.’ These individuals we call our teachers, our mentors, and they
have guided us to become who we are: competitive offshore sailors. Our
mentors recognize something within us when we, ourselves, may be
unsure. Our mentors lead us through their understandings of situations
we may encounter, perhaps in the Southern Ocean. Our mentors give us
the confidence to make our own choices, and (eventually) surpass their
knowledge.
“I’m sailing against my mentor, and we’re about to pass them,” Sam Davies said with a cheeky smile.
Some
of us on have known our mentors for decades, others have just met
theirs; some of us are racing with our mentors, and others are racing
against them. Some have many mentors, and others just one.
On
top of sharing their wealth of knowledge—which can often feel like a
talking encyclopedia on your favorite subject—mentors often pass along
characteristics and mentalities that are almost far more valuable than
facts about a subject.
And
this is exactly the case for Team SCA. We are lucky, on board Team SCA
we all share a mentor—a man who continues to inspire and encourage us
even after his death in April 2013.
“One
of my personal goals for this leg was to be like Magnus [Olsson], even
when times are down, which is hard, because he was always so positive.
Just in case, I have him in my notebook,” Annie said with a smile. “When
I’m not so sure I just look at this. They conquered something that no
one thought was possible—they went from being really behind to winning
the leg. He did it by just believing in his crew and forcing everyone
forwards. So, that’s what we have to do.”
So,
just like we came to this team as strong individuals, holding the
wealth of a dozen or more mentors and teachers who have given us each
confidence within our own career, together we have one mentor who leads
us through even the toughest of times.
“I was thinking the other night, Magnus would be pretty proud of us
because that [stay positive] spirit really comes from him, and I think
everyone in the group thinks about that and thinks about his never give
up and keep on fighting attitude. And that is going on board Team SCA
at the moment,” Sam said.
We are a team of determined women; we are positive; we are on the hunt; we are coming back and there’s nothing stopping us. (www.teamsca.com)
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