"Hardest day's sailing I've ever had"

Miranda Merron reports from on board 40 Degrees from the mid-Atlantic

Monday 26 May 2008
Time of Position : 0800 GMT
Latitude 41 44.98' N Longitude 57 32.16' W
Ranking : 4th
Average Speed : 6.9 knots
Miles To Leader : 146
Distance To Boat Ahead : 26
Miles To Marblehead : 592.2
Sponsors Of The Day : 54W St James's Place; 55W Sabina Tobler, Royal
Southern Yacht Club, 56W Hamble Rage

"Yesterday was one of the hardest days sailing I have ever had. Just after dawn, the front of the new low was building, and so spent a couple of hours dodging clouds. As the cloud increased, I could see the blue sky beyond, which would mean the transition from southerly to northerly wind, via a light patch. 40 Degrees eventually got to the edge of the cloud, got becalmed, then picked up the faint northerly breeze. 500 metres later, we hit the wall - no wind and/or back in the south, sails slatting unbearably.

"This was repeated several times over the next few hours, meaning constant steering and changing between sails. Of course, Fuji turned up to join the party too. Eventually we were both liberated a couple of hours before sunset. I had spent all day on deck without a break (no tea either!), and was by now pretty tired and hungry.

"Fortunately the northerly has filled in, and the boat is looking after itself, reaching along in the pitch black night. When the clouds disappear, the sky is full of stars. The wind is glacial, and the sea temperature has dropped to 9°C. There have been loads of dolphins.

"During yesterday's entertainment, a swallow decided to take up residence in the boat, like the one last week. Same fearless behaviour. It is currently asleep behind the computer, and hopefully will be well enough rested in the morning to continue its journey. I have had to cover the computer, as yes, it likes it.

"I have just read the third page of the short story - thank you ladies! Was just what I needed after such a trying day.

"Thank you to the following degrees (what an ordeal!):
54W St James's Place - thanks again Peter! ; 55W Sabina Tobler - beers in
Bangkok later this year, I promise! ; 55W Royal Southern Yacht Club - look
forward to the party on offer! ; 56W Hamble Rage - keep on fighting..

Miranda/ 40 Degrees
41 N 57 W
www.40-degrees.co.uk
www.theartemistransat.com

54W St James's Place - Providers of personal, face-face, wealth management advice. There are no off-the-shelf solutions as our experience is that every single one of our clients has their own personal concerns, responsibilities and ambitions. The solutions that work for one, simply would not work for another. Basing their service on this principle, our experienced advisers, who make up the St. James's Place Partnership, have built quite exceptionally strong, trusted and lasting relationships with their clients. www.sjpp.co.uk/peterharding

55W The Royal Southern Yacht Club is one of the most respected, well established and successful yacht clubs in the UK. With over 170 years of tradition it is based in excellent modern waterside premises, which include: bars, dining, facilities, moorings, dry berthing and accommodation. www.royal-southern.co.uk

56W Hamble RAGE (Residents Against Gravel Extraction) is the community action group set up to fight the threat of gravel pits (and the landfill and mass housing that will follow) ruining our communities businesses and way of life on the Hamble Peninsula. We are a strictly apolitical group whose purpose is clear - to strongly represent those that work, live and play in these historic villages and to ensure that Hampshire County Council realise that this area is highly unsuitable for their mineral extraction plans. Please see www.hamblerage.co.uk for further details.