I can honestly say that the thing that intimidated us about the race was not going up against some of the best sailors. Getting to sail side by side with Mischa and JC and the rest of the folks that ultimately horizoned us was part of the attraction.

The intimidation factor for us was the possibility of getting in over our heads in situations far from shore. Of keeping things together for long legs if things weren't going right. Of wondering if the boat was prepped right for those things. I'm not sure I'd characterize the race as 6 days of buoy racing. What comes to mind there is the saying about whether the race was or was not "just like the postcard". These are some of the things I sense when talking to newbie distance sailors.

When we started the idea of doing this race we set our goals thusly - First, finish the race. Second, don't be last. Third, learn whatever can be learned. Try and work for more, but better returns would be gravy. Our first try we didn't make the first goal, but oddly enough did manage the second.

Our second try we did all three, but, to be honest, that year was "like the postcard". We didn't have to do any 100 mile legs upwind in 20+ and big swells. Also, if that race had been held one week later that year the results would have been far different IMO. So that's my vote for what I think (or what should) intimidates folks. But it's also what makes you prep for safety and robustness while trying to figure out how to pace with (and become) the best.