Race 4 - Day 8
Skipper Report
10 December

So, what do we have to look forward to prior to our arrival into Sydney? Another 24 hours of gybing around the Cape of Good Tazzy in a sea state that can only be described as less than ideal for the course in which we wish to take. Also, a wind hole or two on the other side to navigate through, finishing off with a 25 knot beat (that’s sailing upwind) towards Sydney Heads.

Sailing = 'The art of getting from A - B whilst pointing in the wrong direction.'

With the aim of getting there before Christmas, I am encouraging everyone onboard, including myself, to pull our heads out of our bottoms and work as hard as we possibly can to make this happen. Looking at some of the other tracks on our version of the Race viewer we get onboard I can only guess that Sir Ben Ainslie, or Sir Robin himself, is nipping between a few boats to lend a helping hand on the helm, keeping them on a course dead downwind or the wind further South is not as forecast and there has been potentially a little more North in it than expected.

I was really quite grumpy yesterday. It was just one of those days where a few little things on the boat were sent to try us. I told the majority of the crew I was grumpy in advance, I guess this stops any of them thinking it's personal. It is probably only my first or second grumpy day since the start of the race so neither I or the crew can really complain.

Now, I know today I probably sound a little bit more 'neggy Nora' than 'positive Polly' but it just feels like we have been on the West side of Tasmania for way too long, and in my opinion, and in the words of Ali G, East Side is most definitely the best.

The downwind helming teams have been progressing a treat on both Union and Jack watches but unfortunately, we haven't had a lot of chance this leg to get those new to sailing on the helm due to an awfully large and confused sea state. Hopefully this will change in the next few days.

I would like to wish my friends Gaz and Maddy in Chichester a happy house warming, my buddy Ant huge congratulations on his Officer of the Watch ticket and my Mum a very happy birthday. I miss all my friends and family, but at Christmas time the level always goes up a notch or two.

Anton Mitchell’s cheery face is in the galley today so I will try and eat double the amount with both watches. It worked at breakfast. I'm not sure if he had forgotten he had fed me already or he is aware of my movements during meal times and is aiding and abetting. Either way I’m eating plenty.

Let Peace be the Journey

Andy and The GREAT Britain Team