received 15.12.08 0735 GMT
As expected, the fleet has compressed again, after a fast ride along Sri Lanka. Last night we were close with four boats, all under spinnaker and I don't know how many times we gybed, to protect our 2nd place, as Ericsson 4 had slipped through our lee.
We were all heading to the ‘pirate waypoint' and Si Fi (Simon Fisher – navigator) got a couple of extra grey hairs, since we were pretty close. The problem was that 2.5 knots of current pushed us down to the point, and of course you don't want to end up on the wrong side, as you than have to sail backwards, and go properly around the point. For some reason we lost Telefónica Black who were only a hundred metres behind us. Either they had a bad sail change or ended up on the wrong side of the point, as all of sudden they were 3 miles behind us.
Now sailing upwind with our big Code Zero, and just hanging in. Puma is going the best, Ericsson 4 second best and unfortunately, we are the worst. Just a matter of being patient and wait for the conditions to change. Still we have a lot of current against us, nearly 3 knots which doesn't help our progress and course, but at least we have breeze, so still making miles in the right direction. Everybody is feeling well, and it is not too hot, although some will disagree, but we are a happy vessel.
Cheers,
Bouwe Bekking - skipper
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