GOLD COAST QIN-SAN 280600ZMAR12 SKED

LAT 39 50.5N
LONG 131 05.1W
DTR 420
ETA 1900(-8) 30 Mar 12

WEATHER WIND 209@30kts, Sea Rough, Swell WSW 3m, Sky O/c, Baro 1008

Gold Coast Australia has had yet another brilliant days run as we make the final sprint towards the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland California.

As the wind shifted further to the south west Gold Coast has been power reaching along getting some fantastic surfs and averaging 11kts of boat speed, with about 1.5kts of current to give them a boost along towards the American coast.

Wind is predicted to slightly moderate this evening, and we were amazed to see the wind drop below 30kts at one point. The wind has been consistently above 30kts for the last few weeks, and when it finally drops off a bit it feels like we are sailing in a mill pond. Hopefully the more moderate wind will allow us to make some more ground to the south later tonight so we can make best use of the predicted SE currents in the area, and increase our speed over ground and time taken to reach the finish line.

With only two days of racing to go crew are focused on the finish and talk often sways in the direction of what the crew will do when we hit terra firma. High on the priority list will be warm showers, a change of clothes, and a dry bed to sleep in.

For now only 400nm to the finish, and Gold Coast Australia is sending it!