I have been handed the laptop by the Skipper (Dad) for me to bring you up to speed.

As some of you know I flew in to the Azores for the return leg. I was promptly greeted by other competitors who (I’m sure affectionately) referred to me as the “B-Team”! This must have been because Bill was within earshot.. Or its just my brain making up excuses as to why I’m the B Team…

We are 3.5 days in, into a good rhythm. What a difference this boat is compared to the likes that I race on. Here everything is big, changing sails is cumbersome (but dry!) and there is no “peeling” (from one to the other). On the other hand, it is extremely comfortable. I have never in my sailing life ever had a shower whilst underway – today was a first. The good thing is I’m clean, the bad thing is the “wash basket” is filling up… sorry Kim.

We hoisted the spinnaker at 0730 this morning and are barrelling along between 7 and 8 knots. Its fast (for a Rustler!) but dry which makes the foredeck work a pleasure. Nothing much else to report on the sailing side of things – we have no idea what position we are. We know we have slipped a bit overnight as we were slightly conservative due to messy seas but are pushing hard to make that up now.

We are running out of fresh food, but I have already eyed up some of the freeze bag food – stable diet when offshore. The Haribo also helps on the night watches.

I hope the boys are behaving Kim – give Finley and Otto a hug from me and I have packed something as a surprise if they are good for mummy.

Time to sign off, I’m back on watch in 2 hours and then it will be time for the B team work hard in gaining back places.

Ciao for now,

Rob & Tim