44.19 kn

Well with three days left before the end of our record attempt... the wind seems to have returned.

We are on our way out to speed-spot now after spending the morning giving the wing a good servicing. We took it off the boat and went over all the tapes before getting the heat-gun out and shrinking all the skins down. She is tight as a drum again and ready for what the day has to offer.

We managed to punch out through the swell on the launch ramp and across the lumpy lagoon to speed-spot. We had to stop a couple of times to let the beam-on waves break across the boat... but we've done this before.

It was sort of wierd as it felt strong, looked strong... and yet there was just something missing. We have become pretty sensitive to the 'moods' of this particular beach over the past two years and I know when something isn't right. We stopped in at the Timing hut to check the Tacktick wind instruments. Sure enough, it was showing gusty and shifty conditions. We waited for a bit until the numbers rose on average.

Crazy, highly charged days here at the VESTAS SAILROCKET base in Walvis Bay. The forecast continue to move around and we only have four days left before it's all over.

A large swell is making its way up the African Coast and wrapping around pelican Point before marching right up to the Yacht Club. Surf is breaking on the launch ramp and across the Lagoon entrance all the way to Speed-spot. It makes the whole launching and sailing thing pretty diabolical. However, the wind is blowing right now so we will do whatever it takes to get out there and have one last bash. All risks are now worth it.

Once again a great looking forecast has evaporated away from us like a mirage. This morning when I checked out the forecast I was left feeling sick.

Our record period runs out on the 16th i.e. in a few days and what was set to be a great weather finale yesterday... has dropped away drastically today. We can extend to the 20th and of course we will do this. It means that we will be sailing at low tide and this means that the Nautical mile course will not be an option. It looks like that which seemed so easy has evaded us.

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.