BT Global Challenge - Leg 2 - 13th November

'Yesterday, memories of Leg 1 flashed back as we dropped the mainsail to inspect the damage to the batten cars. On Leg 1 we were 1200 miles from Boston, when we sailed into a wind hole that didn't seem to exist on the weather charts - we stopped for four hours and went backwards in the current of the Gulf Stream. On that occasion we lost the lead to Quadstone and BP.

On this occasion we also had 1200 miles to the finish, with a hundred mile lead on the fleet. But a day without a mainsail would see that lead slashed, especially with the period of light air that's forecast ahead of us. We are all very aware that our position is vulnerable from such a competitive chasing pack.

We had just fought for 36 hours with a nasty depression spawned off the Brazilian coast, bringing 45 knots from the east and three to four metre waves, Team LG have throttled back a little to avoid breakages. The last thing we wanted at this moment was damage to the mainsail.

Once inspected the problem was a simple one. Two of the stainless D plates that secure the mainsail battens to the sliders on the mast track had worked undone and disappeared during the night. We carry one spare. I looked at Bob, who’s face showed little emotion as we talked through how to make a lasting repair. The mainsail had been down for two hours, the trisail was putting up a brave effort, but our speed was reduced by two and a half knots.

I was getting anxious, as I worked through the spares inventory again, while Bob drilled away on a small piece of metal fashioned from a stainless steel ruler. With no success from the inventory, I wondered how a flimsy stainless steel ruler cut to shape would hold the loads imposed on the mainsail. But with nothing to lose and no other solution to hand, this had to work. Even if it held for a day, we have enough material to make another half dozen, which should get us to Buenos Aires - now just a week away.

We dropped the mainsail at 1800 and fitted the bodged stainless part, just as the next sked came in. Surprisingly neither Spirit of Hong Kong nor BP had taken many miles during the repair - maybe they had their own problems. I’m not sure how long the repair will hold, but a new sense of urgency has hit Team LG FLATRON if we are to fulfil our aim to win Leg 2.'

Andy Magrath, LG FLATRON, Sunday 12th November;

'We are off the coast of Brazil, the closest town on the chart is Paranagua. There are 137 miles between us and Spirit of Hong Kong in second place. We have got 922 miles to go and our current ETA is Wednesday. BP and Quadstone - our closest rivals overall are in fourth and sixth respectively which is OK - but the further down the pack they finish the better.

I have been on mother watch since midnight which has coincided with the most spinnaker changes we have done in any 16 hour period. This brings a new dimension to being 'mother' as I have to be ready at all times in my harness to leap on deck for the spinnaker change. Not that I mind as it gets me out of the galley - especially this afternoon.

The sun was shining, the sea a beautiful shade of clear pale blue, and hanging from the end of the pole was amazing. The sound of the water rushing beneath you, and being able to see everything going on on-deck from a great vantage point. Then spiking the spinnaker and watching the sail billow out behind the main as it is frantically gathered in by the rest of the watch. At the same time the new spinnaker is up and ready, and as it is sheeted on, there's a pop and crackle as it fills with wind.

I had to go up the mast yesterday to do a rig check. An interesting experience being 90 feet in the air at the best of times, but with the boat rocking from side to side with the wave motion, things can get a little tricky. The rig check should be done every seven days, but it rather depends on the weather. When the boat is rocking fore and aft it is even worse going up there. I am basically looking for any obvious signs of chafe and also checking the mast track cars which slide the mainsail up the track, we've got a temporary repair on one of them. We just hope it holds, but I need to keep a good eye on it.'

LG FLATRON continues to hold her lead, and at 07.48 GMT on Monday 13th November, the BT Global Challenge website reported the positions and distances to the finish of the top six as:

1 LG FLATRON 538 nm
2 Spirit of Hong Kong 675 nm
3 Logica 714 nm
4 BP 717 nm
5 Olympic Group 730 nm
6 Team SpirIT 735 nm