Yesterday I came home to the news That John Fisher from the Sun HungKai/Scallywag team in the Volvo Ocean Race was lost at sea after a Man Over Board incident.The last time I shed a tear for a VOR racer was when one of my favorite sailors Magnus Olsson died of a heart attack.The first time I heard about the Volvo Ocean Race was when I heard about the passing of Hans Horrevoets in a Man Over Board incident in the Atlantic from Cyrus Heerjee. I have been mesmerized with offshore sailing ever since.At this time I barely have anything else to add but offer my condolences to the family and the team.I am sure John will have inspired a thousand other sailors to take up what he loved doing. Sailing is a sport where even at the most professional levels do not put their lives at risk for money, they do it because they love being at sea. I hope John looks out for other sailors when they cross that patch of water. For many of us, he will guard and gather the south pacific for us.For now, we will go to sea again.Sea Fever: John Masefield
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
