GREEN DRAGON EMAIL: 'Today feels a bit like the morning after a big night out'

Friday 24 October 2008 12:41

Ian Walker (Skipper)

Today feels a bit like the morning after a big night out - only without the hangover. In recent days we have had the excitement of passing through the doldrums, King Neptune’s visit and then claiming full points at the scoring gate. Now we are facing over 3000 miles direct line (more like 4200 miles actual sailing to re-cross the Atlantic to Cape Town.

Right now we are reaching in 18 knots of wind about 65 miles off the Brazilian coast. It is quite depressing to be sailing and getting no nearer the finish line but that’s how it is going to be for at least a thousand miles.

Personally I feel a bit tired right now and I am sure it is down to not eating or drinking enough. Today is day 13 and I hate the freeze dried food. The breakfast (Muesli) is OK so I have to get through a lunch and dinner if I can. I have perfected the art of getting the food (that’s what they call it) from my spoon to throat with minimal contact with my mouth lips or tongue - the teeth play a key role in getting it off the spoon. There is certainly no chewing required. I am using the film Papillon as my inspiration where the prisoner (Steve McQueen) has to eat cockroaches to survive.

On deck it is good fun with perfect jib top sailing conditions. It is clear that the boats behind are a little quicker than us in stability conditions but we are going to fight tooth and nail to hang on to this lead. Tactically it is a little boring right now which is no bad thing as Ian still has lots of electronics to fix. I'm going to get some sleep now as later we will be hoisting spinnakers again and the fun will really start.

Received 12:41 GMT