Almost there

Miranda Merron reports from 40 Degrees in the Artemis Transat

Wednesday 28th May 2008
Time of Position : 0600 GMT
Latitude 42 46.67' N Longitude 63 54.79' W
Ranking : 7
Average Speed : 4.4 knots
Miles To Leader : 249
Miles To Boat Ahead : 53
Miles To Marblehead : 305.1
Sponsors Of The Day : 60W St James's Place; 61W Hamble River Sailing Club;
62W Lowford Clinic, Osprey Racing Yachts

As Giovanni Soldini approaches Marblehead with just 50 odd miles to go, Miranda has reported a night of extremes with 30+ knots, freezing pitch black night, water temperature of 6°C, rain and zero visibility. She has 305 miles to go and has just bagged some quality sleep in preparation of the next busy and crucial miles. She rang in this morning sounding extremely buoyant!

She is ranked 7th this morning, a fact that is not exactly pleasing her, but just the way it goes - Miranda of course remains philosophical and determined not to let Vendée sailor Parnaudeau get past! Everyone west of 40 Degrees will have picked up the front first but light airs are forecast for the finish which will make for an exhausting climax for the sailors, but could play with the rankings.

"The big expected shift started to come a couple of hours ago, and now 40 Degrees is on starboard tack heading west. There has been a welcome amount of activity, since tacking involves exercise = warming up. It has been a bitterly cold, black night. At one stage there was a ship two miles away and I couldn't see it. The sea temperature is at 6°C, and occasional waves of 6°C water have swept over the boat. This time, I got into my Musto drysuit ahead of the wet stuff. Can't believe it is the end of May here!

"Yesterday was spent reaching in building wind and sea, 3 reefs and trinquette for the
30 knot bit, and now have not only tacked (which involves moving all the moveable gear inside the boat to the high side as well), but have full sail up. All of this takes time and energy, but is immensely satisfying when it means heading in the general direction of Marblehead. I have Benoit snapping at my heels as well, and he seems to be slightly faster in these conditions, so must keep on top of it!

"Once the breeze has settled, I will sort out the interior of the boat, which looks like it has been through some wet weather. Certainly couldn't invite anyone on board at the moment!!

Thank you to the following degrees (yes, lovely weather): Hamble River Sailing Club, Lowford Clinic, Osprey Racing Yachts."