44.19 kn

As I sit here writing this and stuffing a basic chicken and cheese roll into my mouth, Helena sits down the other end of the container trying to work out if we just broke the nautical mile record or not. I know it was close...

We did a 45.68 knot 500 meter average and peaked at 47.6 something...

We sat out there on speed-spot all bloody day and only got one run in before sunset. We came home in the dark.

The forecast wind didn't quite materialise yesterday with winds only reaching an average of around 17-18 knots. It looks like the extra 'portion' necessary may have arrived today as it was already windy at midday.

We are getting ready to go out. It's colder than usual and whitecaps are already showing. I hate to say it... but It feels like it's a bit brutish. The forecast indicates that there will be wind until the end of our record attempt which is encouraging.

The forecast this morning had today and tomorrow at 24 knots but it later changed to have today at 23 and tomorrow at 25. I know it doesn't seem like much but it does indicate a trend of sorts. In all truth it makes no difference as we will gear up for both forecasts and be sitting out on speed spot patiently waiting to be as reactive as possible for whatever comes our way.

Well the last day fizzled. It looked great but by the time we were half way across the lagoon it was obvious that it was only a short spike. We waited a bit but then canned the day. That was it for the afternoon tides. yesterday was a pointless affair so we hit the desert for a welcome break from the routine of the boat.

We are in the throes of the afternoon tides. This will be our last shot at making use of the mile course for a few days. The camera crew have gone home and the forecast was for only 19 knots. I took the opportunity to re-paint my helmet. So of course... the wind has come up and now we are rushing to hit the course. It will only be deep enough right on sunset. Nick is out on the course already in the RIB getting everything ready. We have seen that we can get over there and setup easily within half an hour when pushed. So we'll go for it and see what happens. Maybe it's just the wind playing games. If so, we can't afford to bluff.

Well yesterday was a real ‘Ball-ache’ as we watched the last bit of what had looked like a brilliant 5 day forecast fade away. It kept us on full standby to the end and then with a final twist of malice... tried to send us into a concrete wall. I’ll admit that I had a good, hard moan about it. now that joy!

Everyone's tooling up for what is shaping up to be a special day.

We might just have got what we asked for. I'd be lying if I didn't say it makes me a little nervous. Big things can happen on days like this. Strong forces dictate the outcome inside and outside.