Around 400 miles to go and things are OK onboard. We have successfully saved a bit of water from the rations and we have three decent meals left each.
As we get further down the Brazilian coast (we are now level with Recife) the SE trades start to back a little and we now have a more pleasant E’ly to take us towards Salvador. We’ve been with the code 5 for the last 24 hours but have just changed to the big spi. – all the way to the finish we hope! However there is quite a bit of breeze forecast for tonight and we have just been headed massively by a big black cloud and shock horror it is raining!!
Not really in the mood for getting wet will save that for two days time, yes two days or maybe even a bit less if all goes well! It is midday UTC Sunday 25th now and we should arrive in the morning on Tuesday 27th, just a few hours under 24 days racing. We are keeping a close eye on the cracks on the starboard rudder and have effected a slight re-enforcement with some lashings and an excellent Spanish windlass. No idea if this problem is going to develop into something more serious or not and as I said yesterday there isn’t really anything we can do other than try not to overload the rudder. Instead of steering the boat fairly vigorously through the waves we are letting her find her own way a little more, slightly slower but a lot safer!!
OK, it has stopped raining now so it’s safe for me to go on deck.
Cheers, Nick
PS. Just popped back to nav station after 4 sail changes, wind v shifty under the clouds….almost like the dreaded Doldrums! after two days v slowing easing miles on the boats behind, I suspect we have lost most of that lead in 1 hour! The battle continues….
