Leg 2 Day 14 : 58 28 S 88 41 W

Anyone following the race on the Challenge site would see that we've gone from a healthy third to a much more sickly fourth in the space of several days. While we languish in light winds in the South the yachts that were able to turn North after rounding the Horn have been catapulted ahead as if finding a turbo boost for their sails. Ironically yachts that were far behind us when we came round were also able to head north and have made significant gains too. SAIC La Jolla to the north sailed nearly 40 miles more than us in just six hours and the same favourable conditions have benefited BG SPIRIT and Spirit of Sark too. This makes for very frustrating reading for us when we see the positions come in. We know they are not necessarily sailing better than us or they are more focused but their route has seen better winds go their way. The two packs, north and south, are converging now and we are happy that we've been able to sail faster than the rest of the southern pack and stay ahead of the likes of Barclays Adventurer and Samsung. The lighter winds have brought some relief from the pounding we've had over the last week but worries about our water maker and gas usage, combined with a mystery problem with the heater onboard, is another kick to an already sore body. We think we've tracked the water maker problem to the filters getting blocked with algae and plankton and we are currently trailing a filter behind the boat to clean it. However, rationing means no showers and no washing clothes for the foreseeable future. Winds from the South bring a chill that slowly creeps through each layer of clothing finally settling deep in your bones. The only thing to do is head below for a hot drink and warm up before going to relieve someone else on deck so they can do the same. With the hardship comes a certain honesty and bonding amongst the crew and we are all doing our best to look after each other. As one person's shoulders drop and their eyes fill another steps in with words of encouragement knowing that it'll probably be them that'll need the shoulder and kind word tomorrow. In years to come I'll remember these moments fondly for now I look forward to the end of the watch where my bunk awaits and dreams of pubs with log fires, Sunday roasts and, well whatever else a fella dreams about after two weeks at sea. John Bass