Golding takes silver

After two week long tussle with La Petite Anglaise in the Route du Rhum

Miranda Merron reports from on board UUDS

A total shocker of a night after glorious sailing yesterday afternoon. (The morning was squall-ridden, loads of breeze in front of the monsters, great fun driving, no wind at all behind them)

Anyway,when it came to gybing after dark, before the moon rose, it all went wrong. Without going into detail, had the rigging in a configuration not guaranteed to keep the mast in the air. I'm couldn't vouch for it, but I think a squall may have been keeping us company by then, since it took an hour to sort out.

Have been on go- slow last few hours, checking and fixing bits and sleeping to get over the fright.

The boat is going again now, need to catch up the lost miles. Other than the first night of the storm, which was frightening for differnt reasons, this is the worst scare I've had.

Far from relaxing, this trade wind sailing. But it's a beautiful night, again, clear sky, occasional shooting stars, good breeze, so can't really complain.

Miranda /UUDS 22 39N 40 08W