Hi Folks,
Oh Em Gee. We have been having like the WORST kitemares. Turns out when I go on deck to help out disaster ensues but when I leave it to my capable Watch Leaders the hoists are smoother than my moustache pomade. I don't know why...must be the pressure of performing under my professional gaze. I am the original "Man of the Sea" after all (Johnny Pillar, know your place). Anyway, that explains our slow speeds. Currently though we are in too much wind for the spinnakers and must make our progress under white sails.
In other news we have been making fixes on board. These include further forestay fixes as instructed by the Race Office and spinnaker halyard fixes in relation to the aforementioned kitemares. A bonus of this is we have set two new speed records...[Mrs. Macfee please stop reading]...our current speed record with our mast monkey, James ‘McSmokey’ Macfee at the top of the mast is 16.8 knots and 18.5 knots with him on the end of the bowsprit. Oh, did I mention that his sunglasses (very cool) were lost over the side when he was on the bowsprit and buried about a foot underwater in the back of a wave? That amusing moment courtesy of Elvis' (Neil Stafford) helming.
We've got a little catching up to do, the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint to win, and loved ones to meet in Fremantle. With the right weather and a bit of luck we should gain a few places. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.
Think Pink.
Ta,
Lance