Bastard high

After gybing east, Orange is forced back on to her northwesterly gybe

Nick Moloney reports from on board Orange

After struggling to stay on starboard gybe for most of last night we were finally forced onto port at around 0500GMT due to fading winds, an indication that we were getting too close to the centre of the high pressure.

We are now heading NW again after having been heading straight for the finish at 20knots for a good portion of yesterday. We estimate about 5-6 hours more in this direction and we should find enough wind to gybe back.

Progress has been fantastic...a lot better than first predicted. Now we are clearly looking at the finish in detail on our chart software. I have longed for this period of the course.

We are encountering an amazing amount of sea life which is both exciting and concerning. Yesterday we saw a whale breaching in the distance...fantastic though I am glad it was in the distance and there are plenty of dolphins around which is always entertaining.

Bright red sunrise this morning. JB [Epron] woke for his watch this morning and proceeded to get the rest of his team out of bed and on deck only to realise that they were an hour early!

The nights are getting chilly. Tomorrow we should be in full wet weather gear blasting along in 25kts of wind with rain squalls.

Sad news last night that the girls on Amer Sports Too in the VOR were dismasted. It must be very difficult times for Lisa and her team. Our thoughts are with them.

Currently its mid-morning 2 May. Our computer estimates an ETA of 3 days 6 hours. We shall see. It's definitely getting exciting. I am developing that child like
emotion awaiting Santa.

Nick