Hello Team

Happy Valentine’s day and what’s more it’s Fizz Friday. Unfortunately we are most definitely not fizzing along this end. In fact it’s more like “spinning around” Friday. The wind indicator compass on the Garmin ChartPlotter spins one way, then the other trying to establish the direction of wind flow. Meanwhile, water slaps across the transom, while I watch on the AIS, Dare to Lead head towards the mark at 3 knots. Six miles in front of us and Zhuhai who were (12 hours ago) 48 miles behind are now 12 miles behind doing 8 knots. I think any hope of being in today has well and truly evaporated. Well done to WTC Logistics on having taken first place across the line, just leave a few beers for us, when we get there.

If you are sensing disappointment and frustration then you are correct. This morning at breakfast we were next to Dare To Lead, 400m on their starboard side, close enough for them to smell our bacon sandwiches. The previous six hours we had clawed back six miles on them, now once again they are 6.7nm in front of us. Awesome work Guy, but still 71 nm before the finish line, well for us clearly, and it's not over yet.

In the grand scheme of things, I have found this leg to be by far the least enjoyable so far. It’s been hot, pretty monotonous and never ending. That aside it certainly has tested me personally, in a different way to other legs. Also it makes for a different challenge and in no way undermines what, those that have done this leg, have achieved In my opinion it enhances their accomplishment in personal endeavour.

Right, I am going to have to go and work with SeaHawks on deck to see if we can get this show back on the road, because will all the respect in the world, I am hoping that this is the last chat we have this race, but based on current progress I am not ruling speaking tomorrow again.

This leg has made me think more about what to do post race, which has made me think about jobs I have had in the past. My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got the boot. I just couldn’t concentrate.

That's all for now,

Dave & Number 1