Keeping the Candle Burning Matthew Gibson - son of Group 4 crewmember The thing that scares me the most now, after spending a week with him in Wellington, is how much he will have changed. The Wellington arrival was one of the worst experiences of my life. I had arrived in a place completely unknown to me to see my Dad after 3 months away from him. I had spoken to him in Rio briefly but that didn't make much difference. I was really glad that he came in first as I couldn't have coped seeing other boats come in and having to wait even longer for him to arrive. But the anti-climax was unbelievable, we were sat out there on the support boat for ages waiting for some wind to bring them in. The celebration meal in the Dockside restaurant was probably the worst time - I couldn't get to grips with him being in front of me. He was so tired and disappointed after losing a 60 mile lead to " The Kids ". I went to the gents and cried my eyes out for at least 10 minutes. He had changed so much. He was quiet and seemed completely drained. It was really frightening. Now, after the 4th leg has started, I can cope with his absence. I just can't cope with the long haul to the end of the Race and the summer holidays. I am positive that things won't be the same when we're back to reality, after the Race. Either his attitude to life will have changed or our lives will change in some way and I'm dreading that. Anyway, what is there to complain about when I know my dad is enjoying himself, experiencing what he has dreamed of and worked for ? It's his life and I'm proud and will support him. My attitude to life has changed too. I had a really rough time up to GCSE's and this year I have set out to achieve something. I want him to be proud of me too and have nothing to worry about so he can concentrate on winning. I still have lonely moments but I think about him on the boat doing some job and it's nice to be able to hold on to that picture and relate to it. Written by Mattthew Gibson,
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