I'm writing this blog early in the evening as by the time we get to 0600 UTC on 3 November we will be in the grip of another large low pressure system. Unfortunately, we are a little late to the party and I suspect we are due another clattering as it passes over us.

We just missed being able to sail south of Gough Island and the sea mounts to the north east which will cost us dear in wasted miles sailed to the north. We will now be met by 40-45 knots+ on the beam (as with the last system) and will need to traverse north of Gough Island so as to not have a lee shore close by to our north when the southerlies hit. 45 knots usually translates to 60knots in these parts and yet again we can't take advantage of surfing at the risk of losing ground to the fleet to the north. And all because we were effectively becalmed for several hours earlier today. Hugely frustrating.

The next issue is whether or not, once the wind has veered to the SW, we will be able to stay sailing fast towards Cape Town with sufficient speed to make it in before the high pressure behind swallows us up. Apparently, we are now first in the rankings at the time of writing this blog (we'll enjoy that whilst we can), our southerly position on the fleet and our eastgoing course is about to be damaged but looking at the fleet they too have the same challenges.

We've just made our first change down the gears to a Yankee 2 and another change down will be happening tonight inbetween reefs. Very early morning should see the storm gib going on and later we'll see the start of the blow in earnest with a few fruity hours forecast around mid morning, meaning I probably won't need coffee to keep me awake. Everyone is pretty well rested (the benefit of going slowly and the boat being flat I guess) and in good spirits. I just heard a huge cheer from the deck as Dan announced our ranking in the fleet.

On the downside, I am being asked our ETA at Cape Town at every watch change, which becomes a little tedious, as anyone driving to the seaside with a 6 year old will probably relate. There is only a departure and an arrival at sea - schedules tend to be about as useful as a chocolate teapot on a summer's day. The most important thing for the next 36 hours or so is to sail safe through the blow and then push hard after it's through so as to keep up momentum.

At least now Black Betty is back on UTC, so we should be better at remembering to send our blogs and position reports to Race Office on time (no promises..). One of the benefits of being an Englishman and a skipper is that not only did we invent time (don't argue now, you know it's true) but also I can change time simply by declaring it so, a bit like Captain Piccard in Star Trek (who is now the skipper of Unicef coincidentally). Rather cool when you think about it.

Anyway, that's all for now.

All the best from,

Mark, Dan and the rest of WTC Logistics Leg 2 Crew