Soggy Sailing
by Taylor Walshe
My tiny little boat glided through the water floating over the Pacific Ocean. The wind was blowing me closer and closer to the finish line. All I had to do was not come in last and then I would win the race. I needed to prove that I wasn’t the slowest sailor. That seemed like a pretty easy mission because I already had a big lead. I was racing better than ever before even though it was just a practice race, as I was desperate to win.
I looked back to check my lead but my boat started to turn. When I say turn I really mean flip! Salty sea water gushed into my boat. A wave crashed right into the stern of my boat! I spun around to see what was happening but it was too late to see what was happening. My boat had now capsized. I couldn’t believe it my head went under the water. I was seething with anger.
Boats began passing me. I quickly swam to the surface of the water and jumped into my boat. Once I was in I tried sailing, but it was hopeless. The boat wouldn’t move. I bailed and bailed and finally got enough water out of my boat. I began sailing slowly.
I was moving. It was then that I realized I was only 15 yards away from the finish line I looked behind me for one second and I only saw one boat. I could feel my heart beating faster than ever. I wondered when I would see the boat behind me next. After about 20 seconds I was so close I could swim over the finish line. Just then my fear for the boat behind me got even worse. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a boat. Now I felt worried I knew I was going to lose.
“Please don’t pass me,”
I moaned as his boats bow passed mine. As I moaned a gust of wind hit my sail dead center and shot me right over the finish line.
“Yes!” I said, sighing with relief.
“Never mind,” I yelled over my shoulder.
My tiny little boat glided through the water floating over the Pacific Ocean. The wind was blowing me closer and closer to shore.