GOLD COAST 170600ZOCT11 SKED

DATE 17.10.11

LAT 45 38.1S

LONG 065 36.4E

DTR 2800

ETA 1800 28 October 11

WEATHER

WIND 000@27 SEA 5 SWELL 340@4m Wavelength 30m Baro 1005 Sky Overcast with

drizzle Cloud N/A Temp Outside 12C Water 9.6

ECG NO SIGNAL – Have set to Indian Ocean and Les 322 Perth and checked

wires on transponder without success.

SKIPPERS BLOG

Until midnight Team Gold coast was bracing for another large storm as the

wind gradually increased in the evening to 30 kts. however we were largely

disappointed as the front was a lot weaker than expected only bringing

with it the very occasional gust up to 40kts. Sailing conditions however

are fantastic at the moment as we run down wind with a reefed mainsail and

headsail surfing waves reaching speeds of up to 18knots.

The weather systems are quite complicated at the moment making the

apparently easy route from Capetown to Geraldton very challenging to

navigate due to the high pressure system that is currently to the north

west of us being a lot further south than expected as well as being

elongated to the east and west. The movement of the high pressure system

as it gets closer to the Australian Coast will be very interesting and

will determine the path we take for the remaining 2000nm North East to

Geraldton. There are substantial gains or losses for the yachts that get

it right or for the yachts that get it wrong. Consequently this race is

still anybody’s game and even the boats at the back of the fleet have a

good chance of sailing around those in the lead if the weather does not

start to behave itself.

Yesterday before the storm was due I took the time to climb to the top of

the mast and observe the fantastic scenery around us. Having your boat

sailing perfectly below you while nearly 80 feet in the air is a very

special feeling. I sat up the mast for a good half an hour enjoying the

serenity as I watched the Albatross glide below me. One Albatross flew

higher than normal and drew level with me at the top of the mast, turning

his head as if to approve my presence in his airspace, before dipping his

wings and surfing the air draft of the mainsail to the wave below. On the

way down the mast I conducted a full rig check and was pleased to note

that everything was in order and no damage had been done from the previous

storms.

For now the we are not only racing the other boats around us but also

racing the weather systems. It is interesting to observe how similar the

Clipper 68’s are in speed and how much effort is required to make extra

miles in these conditions. Gold coast Australia is certainly making that

effort at the moment and are determined to stay ahead of NY and DLL. BT