Records tumble

SEB has set a new Volvo Ocean Race benchmark of 458.5 miles in 24 hours.

While the navigators gets to spend most of their time in the relative warmth and comfort down below, they are required on deck once in a while. Rudi is it seems amazed at just how well the crew cope with the truly horrible conditions outside. "The guys on deck are taking incredible abuse," he says. "It's hard enough for me going up for a one-hour stint, these guys are out there getting punished hour after hour."

Rudi also reminds us of the perils of sailing in the southern ocean where walls of water as high as man come rolling down the deck. They learned the hard way a few days ago to remember to fasten the safety harness around something solid forward of you he says, "otherwise you get flushed down the deck and sometimes right into the wheel, causing damage all around."

There is very little rest below either. As on all the boats, salt water is creeping in everywhere. "There is so much water, on deck, downstairs, in my clothes, in my sleeping bag," reports Mark Christensen from onboard illbruck. "I tell myself that it is okay. At the speed we are going I won't have to put up with it for as long. But it is still difficult climbing out of wet clothes and into a wet bunk."

"We have to bail constantly. Probably 50 litres an hour," says Christensen "It is difficult having finished a 6-hour watch to come downstairs wanting only to eat and then climb into bed, even if it is wet, to then have to bail out the boat for half an hour. Would really rather sleep."

The need for sleep is hardly surprising. Jobs which are simple in 20 knots of wind prove epic in a gale, as explained in Knut Frostad's graphic account of a headsail change aboard djuice. "Right now we have 44 knots of wind over the deck. We just finished a headsail change. Changing headsails in more than 40 knots is probably the most difficult and dangerous change we have. Six guys hooked on with safety lines on the bow, trying to pull down and in the old jib. The boat is still logging up to 20 knots and suddenly a wave washes the bow, pushing the six, big guys back at high speed. Then they crawl forward and start all over again pulling the jib in. Soaking wet but still smiling we crawl back together in the cockpit."