GOLD COAST 200600ZSEP11 SKED

20 SEPTEMBER 2011

LAT 32 56.0S

LONG 012 02W

DTR 1535

ETA 1200Z 27 SEP 11

Gold coast Australia has had fantastic sailing conditions over night. With good winds and moderate seas we sailed up the

inner contour of the High pressure system making good miles to the East. Early this morning as the High Pressure system

overtook us, the wind backed on queue and Gold coast Australia made a tack to the south east where we plan to sail around the

back of the high pressure system to the stronger westerly belt of wind in the south.

It has not all been plane sailing for Gold coast Australia as Last night without warning the steering went very sloppy and I

was called on deck to investigate. I went down into the steering compartment and found a lot of play in the rudder stock

inside the bearing. I was concerned we may have caught a net or some line around the rudder so I clipped on and bent over

the side as far as I could by holding onto the pushpit with my legs. The phosphorescence was flowing beautifully over the

rudder and I was awestruck with its beauty for a few moments before getting a reality check and carrying on with the job at

hand. I shon a light on the rudder and it all appeared fine. I will re investigate in the morning and if we get some light

winds and calm seas over the next few days I intend to dive on the rudder and make a full inspection. As a precaution we

have backed off the tempo a bit until we can determine the cause of the problem and confirm that it is safe to go full

steam ahead.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Gold coast Australia as we know that as the wind backs we will be able to ease

sheets and hopefully get a few rays of sunshine to dry out the boat and crew over the next few days before hitting the

colder westerly winds in the south on our final approach to Capetown. BT