Race 4 - Day 2
Skipper Report
19 November

We enter our second full day at sea, and we are storming along under white sails and heading SE. Whilst slightly fewer in numbers this leg we have some slightly stronger helms and our multi leggers continue to improve. Kaz and Rachel are delivering as watch leaders and really growing into the roles and there is a real positive, 'can do' attitude on deck and below. From meeting the guys on their Level 4, I expected this, but I like to think that Anthony's (from WTC Logistics) sterling efforts during deep clean and on stopover set a great precedent too. Thanks again Anthony for going above and beyond!

The green monster is still lurking, but crew are slowly acclimatising. Yet again we have picked up a cold (or man flu as we are calling it) from shore, no doubt introduced from friends and family or from other boats. On WTC Logistics we always wait to suffer our shivers and sweats when at sea - it is so much better to feel unwell whilst living at an angle in a damp environment (Hmmm - positivity slipping there - sorry!).

This morning at first light, we took the opportunity to replace a broken batten in our Main sail and adjusted our starboard steering cables which were not quite right. The steering has now stopped 'clonking' as the cable rode over the quadrant. That's good. I must say, our engineer, Paul Mascard, is sorely missed, although I suspect he is yet to miss life below decks! Give it a couple of weeks Paul - and get well soon.

With Susie Blair's cohort in the galley suffering from seasickness, she took it upon herself to deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus delicious cake and coffee all on her lonesome and in some style. I'm sure having a galley that is not thronging with 22 people helps in the task, but it was still a stellar performance. Well done! Ben and Rachel's victualing is simpler and more 'processed' than Tom's more nutritious and varied meal plan but for the Southern Ocean I think it works. Thank you, Tom, for all your efforts. Thanks also to Mark Southey who left us in Cape Town. The guys are trying to get to grips with the media output, so hopefully we'll still get some good content to the people at home!

It's funny having a load of new faces on board and we miss the old ones too, but for now we must live in the 'right here right now'. Do you see what I did there Brad?!

All the best for now,

Mark, Dan and the rest of WTC Logistics Leg 3 Crew