The moon disappeared at about 2330hrs UTC and since then we have been plummetting into a black abyss very very fast. All senses are heightened, it feels as if we are sailing on the edge, this is how the guys in front are sailing to be fast. Wind speeds are increasing, plumes of spray are flying everywhere and the waves provide a moving carpet that accelerates us ever faster into the abyss. Nerves are frayed but this is just the warm weather warm up to what lies ahead in this race.

Scale everything up a little and turn down the heat and we get close to the South. So it is great acclimatisation and actually quite enjoyable. More enjoyable on deck than down below.

The Gaes Girls