Crew Blog

Situation normal

26 October 2007

For those of us on leg one, it seems almost normal being back on the boat.

In the watch system; cooking, and then eating food that, on anything other than a boat, just wouldn’t pass muster; and generally living life at an awkward angle. The heat of the pre-Salvador days has dissipated and the humidity that made the boat unbearable before, has settled to a tolerable level. The four new crew - Brennan, Tim, Len and Sue - seem to have all settled in well and it will be great to see each of their various talents put to good use.

With the winds fairly light and from the north, we have the 2.2oz spinnaker up and are plodding at reasonable speed. Looking at the position reports, we are far from demoralised by our position. Having looked at our routing for the next few days and the weather systems that are coming from the west, we are optimistic that we are positioned best within the fleet and managed a good run in the last six hours. As with our plight in the doldrums, mind; only time will tell - and we can always blame it on the weather (or the skipper).

With our third place position into Salvador and over two days between our arrival and that of the last boat, it has given us renewed enthusiasm to keep the boat moving at all costs. To think that by not bothering to trim, or concentrate on helming, for just a little while, can make this sort of difference is certainly something to think about.

Certainly our thoughts are of getting to Durban as quickly as we can, and preferably first!

Nick & Rick (pictured, right)