Race 9 - Day 4
Skipper Report
14 March

Our crippling case of the slows continue, which is a little disheartening as the guys work away to drive, trim and transition as effectively as they can. It has been a while since our last extended spell at the back, and it is definitely a different sort of challenge for everyone to stay motivated and keep pushing without the immediate competition found further up the fleet. Nonetheless, everyone has continued to work the boat and make the most of what we have. The new joiners have settled in really well with the support of their more experienced team mates, which is a good start ahead of the North Pacific. The conditions out here are of course a pretty gentle introduction compared to what lies ahead, but it is good to see them establishing the right habits and best practices early on.

New physical challenges continue to emerge even in these fair conditions. Jonny has just fallen victim to cramp in his left hand whilst attempting to exorcise the remains of his baked frittata experiment from the oven tray. The victualling office have been working overtime to prepare for our North Pacific expedition, testing new heavy weather recipes and staying up late debating storage and fresh vs canned. We eat rather well on board given where we are and how long we stay out here. For that we owe much to Jonny, and his revolving cast of deputies, of which Fran and Elaine are his current support team (Francesca's increasing influence is evidenced by the large stock of custard creams that have appeared on board).

In other news:

A second miniature aircraft carrier has been sighted, suggesting that there is an armada of very small naval vessels nearby. The advantages of a tiny navy are obvious of course, as several areas of large military expenditure can be significantly reduced. The ships can be produced in less time, at a lower cost, and the manning costs for a small crew of small sailors is of course much less.

After completing a semi-circumnavigation our green food waste bucket will go no further (unless it catches the right currents). Having survived numerous encounters with heavy weather, massive seas and cold fumbling fingers, it finally succumbed to our Special Madame Donkey Delegate Annette, who forgot to hold on to the bucket whilst ejecting it's contents. For all those who have sailed with and knew the green bucket, we will be holding a minute of silence at 2500 UTC today.

Anyway, the kite is up and our Zebra is coaching the new helms as we reach quite quickly (but slightly slower than we would expect) towards the end of another ocean sprint. With that in mind it's probably time to get back on deck...He says that he could outrun a lion in his prime, but probably not now. I just hope he would choose more sensible shoes for lion racing than he has for his circumnavigation.

All the best from Imagine your Korea

Sam and Rob.