Leg 2 Day 26 : 51 43S 139 16W

We hope that readers will not mind us devoting most of today's log to personal messages from our watch to those back home. Currently battling through yet another F8-9, we still lie in second place, but with very little distance between ourselves and VAIO and BG SPIRIT. Second is hardly something which we can take for granted; every mile gained is hard won, every mile lost a bitter pill to take. Incredibly, after over 4,000 miles of racing, the first nine yachts are within 45 miles of each other - the competition is stiffer than a treble shot of neat Gordons! And yet loved ones are at the forefront of our minds as Christmas fast approaches. This one is for them. [AS] Happy Christmas to everyone at home, especially Sarah, Rachel & Peter and all the Smith clan staying in Lytham. Looking forward to seeing you in New Zealand soon. Lots of love from Andrew XXX. [CT] Alla mia famiglia: buon natale e vi voglio bene, I love you s.c.l.w. this is the last Christmas without you! See you in kiwiland. FF and Flash: keep a cold one ready for next month . Vabene people I send you all my love! [RW] Happy Christmas to Mum, Dad, Julie, Sarah, Andy, Sue, Phoebe, Cameron, Chris, Art, Des, plus everyone in the Thatched in Epping and a tickle for Harry. A special thankyou and Happy Christmas to my brother Graham without who's help and support I wouldn't be here. A big wave to you all from the other side of the world, probably cold and wet but happy. This is truly rock and roll. [NC] Haaaappy Christmas! to M&N, W&M&M(woof) and T&J at LNQ (Heaven) and Jilly&Hannah up the hill I MISS YOU ALL! Festive love&hugs&pinksparklythings to Jo, James, Helen, Neet, Sarah, Dylan, both Carols, Liz, Jon, Dunstan, Paul, Barbara & family, Sandy, Rich, Sarah, Lauren, Elly, Wills R & B, Dot, Kal, Devon Ben, Foxy, Georgie, Andy, Lucy, Oliver, The Nettlecombe Clan, Angela, Mark, Keith, Bernie, Glen, Pat, Angie, Charlie, Beth, Ellen, Jasmine (and my cosy fireplace), all the Hampshire crew, Ed, Sam, D&S, John, Teresa, Roger, Maureen, Duncs & Lesley, Neil, Halsgrove and everyone at The Notley Arms and any other West Somerseters left off the list! Lots and lots of love from Naomi xxxxx [GM] Happy Christmas to all my family and friends. Thanks for all your support and good wishes. I wish you a cosy, warm Christmas by the fire and an appetising Southern Ocean yuletide log (much better than the Queen's speech!). I will look forward to some mulled wine and mistletoe in NZ! love G. [JS] Warm wishes to all my friends who have been a source of inspiration and support over the last few years. Thanks to the Tullamore crew for listening to all the sailing talk. Have a great Xmas to you all. Special greetings to all my co-workers at Applied Materials, my family in Dublin and friends around the world. Sweetie I miss you dearly and hope that this will be the last xmas apart, lots of love John [DP] Happy Christmas to Mum, Dad, Till, Liz, Jon, Lisa, Bev, Sarah, Laura, Marylin, Dodge, Sue, Andy & Bev and everyone at the SSSC... Cop [JC] Merry Christmas to the best mum in the world, to my fab big sister and the McKerracher clan and to Lynda, a better pal I couldn't ask for. Have a great Christmas everyone at Scottish Enterprise, Tighnabruaich Primary School and all of the other friends that have supported me in my 'Challenge' Miss you all heaps. [MM] Major would like to wish a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a wonderful new year to his family including his children Rochelle, Melissa, Cass and Carlene also Jimi, Cherry and Ben. His mum and his brothers and sisters Joe, Graham, Surinder, Kalinder and Nini. All the nephews and nieces including Michael, David Lee and Levina. All friends including Bob, Vicky and family, John and Karen, Steve and Pam, Clare and Graham, Ken and Sue, and Bal who all came to see him off at Portsmouth. Also best wishes to Sudir who came to see him off at BA. Mick and Mary, to all the regulars at the Seven Bar in Shifnal and everybody at the Bell in Harborne, plus everyone who knows me. The Crew