36' 35S 140'41E

Currently careering along with a speed over the ground (SOG) of 12 knots, we have begun our evening watch (6-10pm) with the flanker up after the promo tripped itself and the on-watch went for a speedy sail change - no damage done luckily. It is a fantastic evening and we have a strong current to help us along, coupled with a fair wind and clear skies. The BP Crew, Alaska Joe and Warren, are settling in well and we have the warm memory of all those supporters cheering us on our way out of Sydney (so a big hello and thanks to them!) The morning was not so rewarding as we began with light winds, then zero boat speed (see photo) before a frustrating struggle with the lightweight kite before the breeze gradually filled in. Kite-packs down below have been hot and humid affairs, more reminiscent of leg 1 than the Southern Ocean, and crew have been struggling to sleep with just their sleeping-bag liners for cover. We will make the most of this, however, as it will no doubt be freezing all too soon! Hopefully, though, this time, we will not have a return to the 'war years' with shortages of gas, water and heat, but will have plenty of hot-chocolate drinks and cake to get us through!

As I type this the scheds have just come in and whilst at lunchtime we were way down the pack, we now lie in fourth, with just four miles to the leaders Me To You, two and a half miles to Imagine it. Done and less than a miles to Barclays Adventurer. David's quote over dinner ('Thai Chicken Curry') 'Well, it's lucky I didn't string myself up at lunchtime!' says it all. It is very easy to get bound up in the position reports and to start doubting ourselves! After spending the morning wishing that we had tacked in towards the coast along with the likes of Spirit of Sark and BG SPIRIT, who at dawn were over ten miles ahead, we then spent the afternoon with more pressure in our sails than the pack further west enjoyed and they waited and waited for the breeze to come whilst we zoomed off into the brightening day.

In summary, this morning it looked like what we had planned for would not work our way at all, whilst in fact the plan has come together nicely and we are now pretty well-placed for the next 24 hours. Overnight the strategy is to try to fight our way into second place, which is where we need to be if we are to fulfil aim one of being in the top three by Tasmania. Watch this space.

Naomi Cudmore