Race 3 - Day 8
Skipper Report
08 November

Staying dry is more a state of mind than an achievable reality here in the Southern Oceans of the world, but it's not all as bleak as many would imagine. The big rolling waves haven't yet arrived (soon, we hope) and that's true for the big winds too (aside from that little bit on Day 2).

Yesterday we had a cold front with all its wind and rain just clip us as it did its best to chase us down from the north and we did our best to out run it to the east. It's hard to say who won, maybe a draw, but I don't fancy inviting it back for round two.

As it came and went we were left with beautiful sunshine and calm seas, so it really was a shorts and t-shirt day. I don't think anyone actually got as far as changing but we all thought about it. Then Mr Cold Front moved on a little more and the wind picked up, way up, far more than forecast; which left no option but to charge to the bow and take down our light winds sail. The end result was that we made good progress, dried out, got very wet and then continued to make good progress, so a good day in the office.

Down below all the wet kit has invaded the boat, drying lines hang from most bunks which sometimes lets kit dry and mostly just lets it hang and air in the dubious atmosphere. Even when dry they will remain salt covered and they will feel damp until we get to wash the salt out in Albany.

If you ever have to question why we do this then the balance is weighed against the many albatross' that come to visit, the whales who occasionally say hello, and the constant stream of laughter that comes from both on deck and the saloon. Who wouldn't want to spend a month in the deep South then!

So despite the damp this is a good place to be, and we have a race to give us a little bit of focus too, almost perfect.

Huw