Race 4 - Day 10
Skipper Report
12 December

Wind holes can either bring out the best or the worst in a team. There is plenty of time to ponder what could have been, what is currently happening and what will be. It's a bit like 'A Christmas Carol' The ghost of Christmas past, present and future. I've found the secret to a good wind hole is to keep busy. With this in mind and clip board in hand I have left no stone unturned on the Good ship GREAT and every crew member has been occupied sine 04:00am this morning when I woke from my 8 hour slumber which might I add is the longest uninterrupted sleep yet. I'm so grateful the crew did not wake me as we moved backwards for 4 miles overnight but I finally woke in pretty much the same position I went to bed in and i'm not talking the fetal position, either.

Previous to getting busy, we discussed cheating in sport in a conversation lead by non other than hockey superstar and Olympic gold medalist (who also has to don the pink gloves and clean the heads) Hannah Macleod. We decided that taking night nurse and rubbing vix on our chest was not doping so we are still very much legally in the race. I am trying my best not to be negative towards Matt Mitchell on PSP Logistics as it was the very agonising rounding of mark Mitchell south of Tasmania that has contributed to our current position. We are all just hoping the next weather files will not show the same wind holes and light airs as the ones previous and that the wind directions are a little more accurate. We all understand we are in such a massive expanse that the difference in weather between 10 miles can be huge so it can often come down to just a little bit of luck.

Anyway, going back to our successful day of organisation. We have completed the majority of jobs set out for Sydney which is a result, giving crew optimal time off with their family and friends. The crew are on top form and moral is high all things considering. I noticed that when i'm feeling grumpy it is directly passed onto the crew. I have been told by a number of crew today that it must have just been a bit of sleep I needed. I'm back on top of my game and spreading positivity throughout!!!

I sat in the Nav station earlier with Luise, our newly appointed queen of organization and Team Co-ordinator. Behind us lay my advent calendar provided by Sheila (leg 7 crew member extraordinaire). As I was a few days behind she offered to help out in getting me up to date. I thought this is good a nice efficient Team Co-ordinaor who is willing to be selfless enough to help get me up to date. I returned about half an hour later after being on deck to find the advent calendar empty. It amazes me how communications can be lost in translation. Luise however did not operate alone but was unwilling to aid in investigations to find out who in fact ate the most important chocolate of all Number 24!!! This investigation will take up my time in any other wind hole we hit in the foreseeable future.

Let Peace be the Journey and high winds the priority

Andy and The GREAT Britain Team