This race has been a true test of perseverance as we have sailed across the world’s biggest ocean, dealing with all the trials and tribulations such an undertaking brings.
It's not over till we have crossed the Finish Line and these late few days are testament to that fact. We are now within the last 200nm of the finish. Last night, while fighting to keep up with Qingdao, our Code 3 developed a now feature, a window. After the fateful round up we got everything reset and were back on course only now we could see the stars neatly framed by the three edges of our poor sail. Everyone jumped into action to recover the sail before any more damage could be done. One benefit was that it made the gybe we had been just about to prep much easier.
Now the wind is decreasing as we try to outrun the Race Finish wind hole. The forecasts say we don’t make it and that the boats 200nm behind us will be breathing down our necks on the finish.
On deck the sun is shining layers of clothing are being shed (there has been talk of digging into bags to find shorts) music is playing and everyone is enjoying the flatter boat and seas. Below decks the galley is getting more and more creative with the supplies that are left as restrictions are lifted on the remaining food.