GOLD COAST 190600ZOCT11 SKED

19 OCTOBER 2011

LAT 45 06.4S

LONG 077 05.0E

DTR 2114nm

ETA 0600 29 Oct 11

WIND 290/20 SEA 4 SWELL 270@3 CLOUD 8/8 CLUMULUS OCC DRIZZLE, Baro 1008

SKIPPERS BLOG

A high pressure system is blocking our path to Geraldton making navigation

decisions very important in the final parts of Race 4. While it would be

fantastic to sail north around the western edge of the high, there is a

high pressure ridge blocking the way there too. It seems we are surrounded

by the weather and have no choice but to skirt around enemy lines hoping

for a breakthrough in the coming days. Every morning we wait with fingers

crossed as the latest weather information is sent to us hoping that the

High has moved on or reformed into a more predictable system.

For now the winds and seas are abating and the temperatures has soured to

13 degrees C giving crew some relief from the battering we have received

over the last few days. Gold coast Australia has been good to us, as she

has received more of a pounding over the last few days than in the first

three races put together and is looking forward to some love and

maintenance on her arrival in Geraldton.

“When face the elements is, to be sure, no light matter when the sea is in

its grandest mood. You must know the sea, and know that you know it, and

forget that it was made to be sailed over.” Joshua Slocum

This morning I saw the first signs of approaching Australian waters with

the first mutton birds flying around the boat on their migration south.

In summer time in the areas of Southern Australia flocks of these birds

can almost make the sky black as they fly overhead, but this morning I

only saw one or two who have decided to make the trip early or who have

been blown off their original course.

Despite the bitter cold and frustrating conditions, All is well on

Gold coast, the crew are laughing and smiling, and we are sailing the

southern ocean. What could be a better way to spend a day. BT