GOLD COAST 130600ZOCT11 SKED

LAT 29 02.0
LONG 018 52.0
DTR 3420

SKIPPERS BLOG.

Goldcoast Australia has retained the lead over the past 12 hours dispite
numerous halyard problems.

Being the inventive Australians, we will not be beaten and have come up
with many solutions for chafe prevention, and solutions on how to fix the
problems with limited equipment or spare parts.

If we were to leave port with a spare part for everything that may break
during the race, the boat would be wighed down beyond the gunwals, so it
is a matter of finding a solution and working on it.

Maintenance has become a daily task, as has sending our Super Bow Girl
lisa up the mast and out to the end of the spinaker pole regually to check
for chafe and to replace sheets, guys and halyards on the run without
taking down the sail and loosing speed. I think Lisa has probably spent
over 3 hours up the mast so far this race, which is an incredible feat.

Everybody onboard is getting very good at re-splicing, sewing and whipping
as we frantically try to stop this ongoing plague of chafe.

A busy boat is a happy boat, and everybody is thorougly enjoying the
tradewinds sailing. Perfect conditions and good company to head to Rio.