Race 2 - Day 12
Skipper Report
16 October

Can you believe that a mere 750 miles at this stage becomes just a drop in the ocean, excuse the pun, distance wise at this stage in the race? Three more night watches I hear the crew say. Now this isn't because they are all wishing their time away here on Leg 2 on the good ship GREAT Britain, but because it's now bitterly cold at night with a southerly wind well and truly in place.

For those watching the Race Viewer, being at the back near Gough Island (a small Island located in the middle of the Southern Atlantic,) we opted for more of a southern route through the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint and for our final approach into Cape Town. Firstly, if you are at the back, unless you do something different it is much harder to pick away at the rest of the fleet, and secondly, the southerly approach into the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint was our best opportunity to get through there as fast as we could. We have no idea on the other timings but considering a slight wind shift and drop 200 miles into the Sprint, I think we did ok.

No matter how long or short the race, the last few days becomes a time of reflection for the crew. Whether it be their one and only leg or whether they are going on to future legs, it becomes the end of that era and the start of something completely new. ‘How can we improve?’ seems to be the biggest question asked by those remaining onboard, this is always a good sign. We have the itinerary for Cape Town, which involves Corporate Sail Days, Open Boats, and refresher sails for new crew, alongside the usual maintenance, cleaning, and sail repair, so it becomes a busy, busy time for everyone. All tasks have been divided up between the crew and will be completed over the ten days in Cape Town before the hard work in the Southern Ocean really begins.

It's shaping up to be a fantastic day on deck, plenty of sunshine, and wildlife mixed with random conversation. For instance, the question posed by myself just the other day 'If you were a soup, what type would you be?’ This made people think more than you can imagine. I'm hoping Jolsen doesn't play anymore of his angry rap/pop music on deck today. I honestly thought he would be a man with a decent taste in music.

In other news, well done Charlie for completing your two Sahara Marathons in two days for UNICEF. A staggering £1,900 raised so far for the GREAT Britain Unicef page.

Until tomorrow, adios amigos.

Andy and the GREAT Britain Team