None of us when we left Auckland would have dreamt in their wildest/nicest dreams that we would be experiencing such magnificent weather. Certainly our progress has been slower than expected however the joy of sailing on the Southern Ocean in such conditions will be remembered for years to come. Over the past few days we have had some stronger wind with last night, from memory, being the windiest since we left. The wind averaged around thirty to thirty five knot with the occasional squall to 45-48kt. Of course we knew such weather was coming through so our sail plan was reduced to the third reef with just a little stay sail. Very safe and gave us enough power to maintain good steerage.

We do expect some more wind coming through over the next twenty four hours which may stay with us until we round Cape Horn. It is predicted that we will have Gale force winds around 35-40kt, gusts 50-55 knots however we will again be prepared to sail it through. As mentioned in earlier reports everyone on board is getting a little excited about the prospect of arriving in Port Stanley however we are still twelve hundred nautical miles away “as the crow flies” so some interesting weather may ease some frustration of being at sea for such time.

Still that’s sailing. You have to take the “Highs” with the “Lows”. Well hopefully not too many lows.

55.01S 91.54W Mark McRae

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