6' 15S 18' 29W

So far this leg has seemed like a speeded-up version of some of the other legs but with most of it still to go. We have come to expect the ever-changing positions, from 1st to 6th then climbing back up again but it is happening every few days on this leg rather than every couple of weeks in the previous ones.

Whereas in the previous legs we have inevitably blamed the navigators for steering us into light airs here we are experiencing the changing conditions much more frequently and it is obvious to the crew that they are practically unavoidable. While some bold moves are being made by the likes of BG SPIRIT things are equalling out and re-shuffling on a daily basis. After nearly two weeks at sea there are only two miles separating us from 2nd and 3rd place and only 14 miles from VAIO in 1st place. At average speeds of 10 knots or more that's less than two hours. In the last 24 hours we have moved from 6th to 4th - 3rd if you take the waypoint as Boston. We have reduced VAIO's lead by 9 miles, reduced BG SPIRIT's lead from 12 miles to 2 miles and we overtook Spirit of Sark yet again but this time they have shot off west, a tactic only time will tell if it pays off. The fleet are lining up to cross the equator in the next 72 hours or so, it would be nice to predict that we'll be up at the front, it won't be for want of trying.

The more the positions change and the closer we get to the edge of our sail plan limits the more stress is placed on David's shoulders. Olly commented on my reference to 'crew sleep' in one of my recent logs. I suggested that the burden of the 24-hour watch was shared between David and the watch leaders but he said his and Cop's role was much more akin to the crews than that of the skippers - they really too could forget things as they passed to the new watch. One also has to remember that David is not even on a 24 hour
watch but a 10 month one - one that starts at the start gun in Portsmouth and finishes the same place as we cross the finish line.

It's getting hotter! Bits missed by the liberal application of factor 50 sunscreen are highlighted in red. The (nearly!) naked starfish posture in the bunks is the latest fashion below decks and the fans are the only things stopping the crew from melting completely where they lay. Above decks fashions are varied. Oakley sunglasses seem to be favoured by most but a breakaway contingent of 'style setters' are changing the face of yachting attire by sporting Harley Davidson wrap-around mirror shades and bandanas. John Stewart is sporting a 'biker' goatee beard to complete the look. Remember you read about it here first.