Happy New Year everyone.
We had a lovely, if brief, New Year’s celebration at the 2300 watch change over last night. The crew were decked out in sparkly glasses and hats, Auld Lang Syne was sung, and party poppers popped.
Cups of Berocca replaced the champagne flutes, making a New Year to remember. This morning the deck was covered in streams of coloured tissue paper and forgotten cups lying around. A special breakfast of eggs and bacon started the New Year on a good note.
On the racing side, we now have wind again after bobbing around in a wind hole for several hours. Unfortunately, much like the last race the wind is now coming almost directly from the finish making the final 300nm an up wind beat. The EAC is also having a big effect on our choices and tactics in this final stretch.
Last night we saw Zhuhai and had a lovely radio chat with them. Exchanging stories of the storm around Tasmania and the fickleness of wind holes. Now, we have a close race for third place with them. It's nice to have another member of the fleet within range it helps to keep us all motivated and keep working making the boat go fast.
Dan, Laura and the UNICEF team