Race 2 - Day 15
Skipper Report
19 October

Good morning all,

An exciting day and night of sailing on the good ship HotelPlanner.com. We are currently screaming along downwind under Code 2 (mediumweight spinnaker). We hoisted it at 11:00 local time this morning after the front had passed, and then gybed it not long after sunset.

On immediate reflection, the gybe could have been better but then it could also have been worse. I was on the helm and the tricky sea state meant that I followed the gybe with a couple of accidental gybes, fortunately the mainsheet and boom was near enough to the centreline that it did not gather too much momentum as it swung across. Also, a good illustration as to why we have such strict rules regarding crossing the mainsheet traveller.

Since then, wind speeds have been averaging at around 24 knots, and we have been keeping an average boat speed of around 13 knots and a maximum surf of 20.2 knots with Mike Probert on the helm.

The crew are always ready for that big gust and have roles set for if we broach, and also if need to drop the sail in a hurry,

Not long 'til Cape Town,

Conall