VIDEO: Conrad Humphreys

The latest from on board Hellomoto in the Transat

Watch Conrad's morning message here (note this requires an MPEG4 player such as QuickTime)

The first 24 hours of the Transat have seen a real mixture of conditions. The start would have been awesome, had I not been a few metres early. Five minutes of glory and a chance to put Hellomoto's nose out front only to be told that I ws OCS and would have a 20 minute time penalty at Eddystone Lighthouse - aaaghh. It has taken me nearly 24 hours to get back with the pack, a tough lesson learnt.

With the two newest Owen Clarke speedsters showing the older generation Finots a clean pair of heals, I was left sat next to the newly fitted and powerful looking Skandia who also shot the line early. Up towards the Lizard, I had Marc T's, Proform to windward and Skandia about a mile behind. A chance to see whether I am on the pace. The breeze is around 12 knots and we are holding Skandia and we have an edge on Proform. As the breeze builds to 15 knots, both boats start to pull ahead. We clearly need to do some work on our sail wardrobe - there are still a few gaps.

I was surprised to see Skandia heading into the channel, as I tacked to clear the Lizard. Maybe Nick Maloney knows something I don't. My plan was to clear Landsend, leave the Scilly's to port and get some northing in before the wind veers to the north west.

After clearing the shipping lanes off the Scillies, I disappear down to the chart table to get some weather and see where the rest of the fleet are positioned. No luck, the Sat B doesn't want to play and I cant seem to get connected. I called Joff to find that the bulk of the pack are heading north.

I opt to stick on the great circle and take a chance with the high pressure ridge that is forming out to the west of Ireland. I need to claw back the 20 miles lost to the leaders and this might give me a chance. The rest of the day is spent slamming to windward in 25 knots - not an expeience that is much fun on these boats - a case for taking the brain out and putting the "gum-shield" in!

Over night, the high pressure ridge starts to make its presence known. I had just nodded off, when suddenly the boat is upright and feels underpowered. Back on deck and four hours later, I've gone through four sail changes. My shoulders ache from lifting nearly half a tonne of sails and gear. I'm desperate for some energy and I slump in the cockpit after raiding the tuck box for some chocolate and flapjack. One of the hardest aspects of solo sailing is managing your-self. Now do I sleep, check the weather, film that diary piece, empty that foreward ballast tank or cook myself something to eat. I opt for some sleep - the other options all required to much thought and I am now to tired to think.

I'm up 40 minutes later, Hellomoto is again feeling underpowered. Time for the Code 0. Two thirds of the way up I find myself cursing that I brought this sail - it's a heavy b£$"£d. Finally, she's up and pulling Hellomoto along and a sluggish 4 knots. It's now day break, what the hell happened to the night?

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