BT Global Challenge - Leg 2 - 25th October

On Leg 1, the fleet's chance of not meeting at least one major storm seemed slight, and yet we did just that even with five hurricanes active during the crossing. On Leg 2 we have successfully dodged Michael and spent the last 24 hours in some explosive downwind sailing on the western side of Nadine. The change in the BT Global Challenge race course, making the first leg an Atlantic crossing to Boston in prime hurricane season, has certainly added some extra flavour to what is the world’s toughest yacht race for amateur crews. And if you're a skipper chosen for the next race, I would recommend some heavy weather downwind training, as surfing hurricane winds and swells in a 40 tonne Challenge yacht can be a heart stopping experience.

The small jump we have made on the fleet since this morning is no surprise. As we approached Nadine, we worked out a route that would see us cross behind the storm and into the trades. It is rewarding when a tactic works out. We have been perplexed at why the boats in the west have seen so much pressure. It is unlikely that anyone will make a big jump for the next 1500 miles as we power along in fairly consistent easterly trade winds.

But race two of this second leg now begins. We have split this leg into a series of shorter sprints, each one requiring different strategies, different sailing skills and also a different mental approach. For the next 1500 miles the gains will be down to boatspeed and these equate to helming, trimming and weight. All areas for improvement. No longer will a bold strategy bail out an off-the-pace yacht. One design racing in a fleet as well matched as this can be a cruel sport if you are not fast enough, and certainly the next 1500 mile sprint will show up the yachts that lack speed.

The storms over the last few days have taken their toll. Bruised bodies and a damaged kicker have caused us to ease back a little. Last night we goose-winged out a number two headsail with two reefs in 40 kts of wind. A fairly conservative sail plan, but with one bowman who had already been washed into the forehatch and been badly bruised, not to mention a few other weary faces, it was time to throttle back.'

Since Conrad wrote his report, the trade winds have receded south, leaving the fleet again battling to reach them first. With more pressure to the east, the fleet was continuing its starboard tack charge in that direction and
LG FLATRON were still in front at 01.48 GMT on Wednesday morning, when the BT Global Challenge website reported the positions and distances to the finish of the top six as:

1 LG FLATRON 4301 nm
2 Compaq 4335 nm
3 Quadstone 4337 nm
4 Team SpirIT 4365 nm
5 Logica 4393 nm
6 Save the Children 4408 nm