The terrifying physics of going up-mast in heavy seas are inescapable.

The seriousness of my situation started to sink in, and again I fought panic. I pushed it down, but it was harder this time, like my insides were an open can of shaken soda and I was trying to keep it from bubbling up out of the top.

I will definitely attempt to sail around the world again. In fact, I can't wait for the chance to try again.

I wanted to break the record, of course, and become the youngest person to sail around the world solo and unassisted.

Slowly, my brain let me in on the fact that I had just come this close to dying.

Being at sea is like watching the whole world in high-definition.

I am twelve thousand miles wiser, twelve thousand miles more resilient, and I have twelve thousand miles more faith in God.