Race 6 - Day 10
Skipper Report
15 January

Bob Beggs
Bob Beggs
Team Unicef
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Today we went for more sailing and it’s still hot... Just kidding! This is Mik, the First Mate on board. I'm putting in a cameo appearance today. It has been a great run under our Code 3 (smallest and strongest spinnaker). After a little damage to the mainsail track we are not able to fly the full mainsail so we need to use a spinnaker that will take the pressure. The upside of this is that we can sail much further down wind than normal so we are still hopeful of a good run to the finish.

In other news, thanks to the assistance of my friends and colleagues on the maintenance team, our generator is back up and running so showers are back on the menu and everyone is taking full advantage. It's not the most relaxing shower in the world (think pea in tin can), but people feel so much happier after...for at least 5 minutes before the heat takes its toll and the sweat starts to soak the fresh clothing again.

I think the best part of today though was the dolphins. I don't normally get too excited about seeing dolphins (I've been sailing for a few years now), but every now and then something special can be witnessed. This time the dolphins were surfing and leaping around the boat in the moderate swell we have around us. I pointed this out to our media crew who was below. He stated he had plenty of pictures of dolphins. After I managed to persuade him reluctantly on deck, he quickly asked for a second camera to be sent up and was perched on the bowsprit for the next half hour. We should have some good footage.

I'm leaving this crew when we get to Airlie beach. While I am somewhat keen to get home, and have a little holiday time, I will be sorry to leave this crew. I made some good friends, had such a great time with this team on UNICEF and with Bob who I have known for many years, but had never sailed with. I will be avidly watching their progress for the rest of the race!

Cheers Mik