Leg 2 Day 30 : 48' 49S 161' 36W

As the Southern Ocean becomes the South Pacific the difference in sailing conditions couldn't be more marked. The suntan cream is out again and the bitter cold has been replaced with a bracing chill. It's a chance to remove at least one layer and as there is little water over the decks the foulies, for the most part, can stay hung up in the locker. Flatter seas and nearly no heeling make the jobs below decks more comfortable and it's a chance to give BP Explorer a thorough clean and going over. Today we gave the floors a good scrub and used old toothbrushes to get into every corner. With about 1000 miles to go and the finish counted in days rather than weeks the mood amongst the crew is positive and focused. It's incredible that after so many miles the fleet are so close. As we are almost neck and neck with Spirit of Sark, this time with them just in front of us, we are reminded that this leg could see leading final positions separated by minutes rather than hours. Tricky weather and high-pressure systems to negotiate makes for constant tweaking and analysis of tactics and routing and the now well practiced circle of spinnaker hoists, peels and packs dominate the on watch duties. We know we can sail BP Explorer fast and maybe faster and the key is to focus even more and try and grab and increase miles between us and the rest of the fleet. We desperately want to be first into Wellington and we know we are capable of doing so. The last thing we want to do is relax now and regret not trying harder when we get into port so every day of the last week will be as important at the first and last days of the race. The rest is in the laps of the Gods. John Bass