GOLD COAST 170600ZJUN12 SKED – HALIFAX – DERRY

LAT 42 59.2N
LONG 056 30.0W
DTF 2145
ETA 30 Jun 2012
SOG 8.3
COG 100

WEATHER WIND 044@20kts, Sea Mod, Swell NE 3m, Cloud 5/8, Baro 1022

It has been a bumpy 24 hours for Gold Coast Australia as we punch our way upwind towards Derry London Derry with a reefed mainsail and number 2 yankee and staysail into a confused and building sea.

The rough conditions have caused havoc with many crew members as they feel the effects of sea sickness. This is the first patch of rough weather we have encountered since we crossed the Pacific, and after over a month of calm conditions crew members feel the effects of the radically moving boat more intensely.

Our troubles are not helped by the discovery of a contaminated water tank which was filled up in Halifax. It appears that the hose used to fill the tank may not have been clean, and consequently one of our water tanks has been isolated until we can drain and clean it once the weather abates.

The wind has gradually begun to reduce in strenght now and over the next few days we should see calmer weather which will hopefully allow everybody to recover and bring our team up to full force.

Whilst many of the crew are plagued with the sickness we continue to sail the boat well and have increased our lead over the southerly pack to eight miles. Finland shows signs of doing very well to the north and will no doubt continue to do so until the wind veers and abates. Hopefully when the new weather system comes through Gold Coast Australia will regain our lead over the fleet.