34:54.6N 74:44.9W @1200 GMT (0800 EST)

Hello from the open ocean just south east of Cape Hatteras and thanks to all of you who sent good luck messages.

Our progress so far is good with no equipment or mood failures to report.  Day 1 was hot and we had to motor for 2/3rds of the time, using all the extra fuel we bought in jerry cans for this very reason.  When there was enough wind to sail it involved playing with the big red sail (gennaker), which got a bit tricky as the rolling started; we managed to do 145nm which is OK.  Day 2 was better and we’ve been sailing the whole time, mostly goose-winged with 20kts of breeze behind us.  We’ve picked up the Gulf Stream now and are haring along at between 8 and 10kts.  We’ve had close encounters with dolphins (fun) and a sailing boat, which got within a few hundred yards of us in the dark, carrying very confusing lights.  We have been rolling a lot despite relatively flat seas, so sleeping has at times been quite difficult.  With the Gulf Stream’s help we are now likely to cover 180nm in our 2^nd 24hrs.  Only 2,100 miles to go!