20 AUGUST 2011

LAT 08 42.7

LONG 024 37.3

DTR 2165

COG 221

SOG 7.7

SKIPPERS BLOG

A very hard day for Gold coast Australia and everybody is exhausted yet smiling as we sit down in the evening sun for happy

hour.

The day began sailing close hauled into a moderate South Atlantic sea and swell. The wind was about 18kts but gusting up to

28, and our team were driving the boat hard towards the South East to try to gain some southerly miles on our competitors

before tacking.

I decided to hit the bunk to get some well earned rest, and after about an hour one of the crew came and woke me up in

accordance with my standing orders which says call me if the wind changes by 5 kts. I was told the wind was only 10kts.

Give it half an hour I said as I rolled over to get some more sleep. Half an hour to the second, the same crew member was

back telling me the wind was still under 10 kts and we were hardly making way against the swell. Not one to discourage

enthusiasm, I got up, had a look around to see blue sky and only a few small clouds, and called for the number 1 yankee to

be hanked on.

No sooner had we hoisted the No 1 Yankee and dropped the staysail than I looked around to see a big black squall cloud

heading straight towards us at a rate of knots. I realized we would not have time to drop the sails, so I turned the boat.

eased the sails as it hit and ran with it. We screeched along for a good half an hour in pouring rain and 30+ kts of steady

wind. I was driving with my ski goggles on, and everybody else was just holding on. After the wind died down, we had a

beautiful steady 14kts, and we held the No 1 until I saw the next front on the horizon. We then changed back to the Y2 and

stay and put a reef in before getting hit byh the front. The wind backed, then veered, then thankfully backed again, and we

were off, perfectly trimmed for the next few hours, and a few hours of rest for me.

I awoke to see blue sky’s and the dark frontal cumulus clouds of the ITCZ behind us. The wind had backed nicely, and so we

put in a tack “To Rio” I yelled as we steadied up, and a big cheer went out from the crew.

It’s nice to be heading towards the west again, and to be sailing in such beautiful conditions we are very fortunate indeed.

It should be a fantastic sunset on the Gold Coast which is “famous for fun” tonight. BT

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

20 OCTOBER 2011

LAT 45 50.5S

LONG 082 38.2E

DTF 1823

ETA 0600 31 Oct 11

WEATHER

Wind 281@22 gust 25 shifting 20deg, sea state 5 swell 270@3m cloud 8/8 cl,

water temp 12C Outside temp 10 deg, baro 1019 rising

SKIPPERS BLOG

A good days run for Gold coast Australia as we maintained our lead over the

yachts further to the south. Cold conditions require crew to add layer

upon layer of clothing. One member has taken to wearing 3 layers of

thermals, jeans, midlayers, a rubber wet suit top, a rubber wetsuit hood,

2 beanies and 3 pairs of gloves all underneath his Henri Lloyd Shell. Hot

water bottles are also a very popular item onboard with people filling

them up prior to their watch and placing them inside their wet weather

gear. It is not surprising that we are cold as our position in nearly

closer to Antarctica than Australia.

The cold weather also produces other problems and our batteries do not

seem to be working correctly even though they are charging as normal. I

am in the process of fault finding and swapping batteries around to try to

get our generator re-started in the cold weather.

Gold coast Australia is now preparing itself for the Ocean Sprint and

should at arrive at the start longitude of 90E tomorrow at midday. The

weather conditions will not be record breakers, but we will give it a

conservative shot. At this stage in the race when we are so close to our

finish we have being sailing very conservatively and do not want to

jepodise our position or safety of the boat and equipment by pushing too

hard in the ocean sprint. After the sprint, Gold coast Australia is

looking forward to heading north to enjoy the more tropical climate of

Geraldton.

20 AUGUST 2011

LAT 09 57.3N

LONG 25 23.1W

DTR 2234

COG 170

SOG 8.5

It has been a momentous 24 hours for Gold coast Australia as we have passed

through a variety of conditions and tactical

decisions.

Gold coast Australia has gone from sailing fantastically downwind from Cape Verde

to the ITCZ, where we had planned to cross

at “the bottleneck” of the wave, in hope that the next wave would pass over us

quickly.

As Gold coast neared the ITCZ we were expecting the wind to start to back around

as an indication, but rather it stayed from

the north affecting out speed as we could not sail the angles we planned.

Regardless Gold coast pushed on, changing from

our trusty heavy weight spinnaker to our light weight. Within an hour of

changing to the lightweight, the wind dropped out

altogether, and all we could do was to pole out our windseeker in hope that

it would catch the occasional puff of wind.

Becalmed and being thrown round by the confused residual sea and swell that was

coming from the north, south, east and west

does not sound like a lot of fun, but the Gold coast Australia team made the

most of the quiet patch, throwing on the deck

speakers for a bit of music, and taking the opportunity to all have a bit of a

swim. With our two Pamela Anderson

look-alike lifeguards on duty, Wayne and Barry, the crew were allowed to jump

in from the bow one at a time and drift down

the side of the boat to be recovered by our lifeguards at the stern. All those

involved had a fantastic dip.

After only a couple of hours, there was a whiff of breeze and it was all hands

on deck to change to the Yankee 1 and get

sailing again. When the next watch came on, one person asked when we would

cross the ITCZ and if this SW wind would last

for very long. I quickly explained that we were over the ITCZ and the doldrums

and on our way to Rio… This caused

disappointment for some as they had slept through their entire doldrums

experience. Gold coast Australia could not expect to

be blessed any more than having such a short time without wind in the doldrums,

and I believe our offering to King Neptune

of girls in Bikini’s defiantly helped the situation.

Now Gold coast Australia is experiencing moderate wind from the SW and is

sliding her way south nicely powered up with a full

main, Yankee 2 and Staysail. One more tack and we should be in Rio.. even if

it is a 2000nm tack! BT

19 AUGUST 2011

LAT 11 37.7N

LONG 025 43.4W

DTR 2310

COG 170

SOG 8kts

SKIPPERS BLOG

After a beautiful spinnaker during the morning Gold coast Australia finally

hit the doldrums. Half a day was spend with sails flogging with no wind

as Gold coast Australia sat becalmed and getting tossed around by the north

Atlantic and South Atlantic swells, as well as swells from the east and

west with the kite down and windseeker polled out.

Gold coast Australia made the best of the bad situation, with a bit of a

Friday afternoon party with a bit of help from the cockpit speakers,

accompanied by a swim for all those interested.

Finally, only moments ago, in the late afternoon, I sniffed a whisper of

breeze from the south west, and it was all hands on deck and a flurry of

action as the windseeker was swapped to the leeward side whilst crew

frantically hanked on the number 1 yankee headsail as there was no doubt

that the wind would only increase. 15 minutes later Gold coast Australia

was under full sail, and heading due south at eight knots seeking stronger

winds to take us to Rio.

Caption for the photo – Rich’s Angles – What doldrums??

19 SEPTEMBER 2011

LAT

LONG

DTR

SKIPPERS BLOG

As Gold coast Australia maintains its lead in a stealthier manner the wind

has moderated and once again Gold coast Australia is in full flight with a

full suit of her favorite sails.

As we skirt the edge of the high pressure system the wind does not have

enough fetch to create any swell, so the water is reasonably flat with

moderate winds creating some very pleasant sailing.

Conditions have not warmed up however, and many of Gold coast crew are

still feeling cold from the conditions that we have been experiencing over

the last few days. I am running the generator and water heater more than

normal just to try to heat the indisde of the boat up and keeping more

people in there bunks than normal. Once the crew have warmed up abit

their concentration levels, ability to maintain focus will rise and

everybody will enjoy themselves even more.

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

19 NOVEMBER 2011

LAT 45 18.7s

LONG 172 51.6e

DTF 700

ETA 0600 24 NOV 11

WEATHER: wind 150/10 sea 3 swell 180/1 cloud 3/8 st, baro 1010.1

SKIPPERS BLOG

Goldo Ccast has seen every type of wind today from 45kts from the south west

to 5kts from the north east. Current weather patterns are slightly

unpredictable and not as forecasted on the GRIB files received, and the

weather in the coming days is equally as diverse resulting in some very

challenging tactical situations.

As Gold coast Australia is in stealth mode I can not give too much away

with our position, course, or speed over ground however we are making good

progress towards Taraunga and placing ourselves in a promising position

for the new wind that is expected to arrive tomorrow.

Whilst conditions are very pleasant at the moment, allowing crew some much

earned and needed respite and drying time, the forecasted conditions

tomorrow evening are not so pleasant and we will be gearing up for 40kt

headwinds as we make our way north.

Our northerly course has already resulted in some increase in temperature

which is thoroughly enjoyed by the crew as they bathe in the first

sunlight that we have seen in weeks.BT

date 19.11.11

LAT 45 23.3s

LONG 172 43.2e

DTF 705

ETA 0600 24 NOV 11

WEATHER: wind 150/10 sea 3 swell 180/1 cloud 3/8 st, baro 1010.1

SKIPPERS BLOG

Gold Cast has seen every type of wind today from 45kts from the south west

to 5kts from the north east. Current weather patterns are slightly

unpredictable and not as forecasted on the GRIB files received, and the

weather in the coming days is equally as diverse resulting in some very

challenging tactical situations.

As Gold coast Australia is in stealth mode I can not give too much away

with our position, course, or speed over ground however we are making good

progress towards Taraunga and placing ourselves in a promising position

for the new wind that is expected to arrive tomorrow.

Whilst conditions are very pleasant at the moment, allowing crew some much

earned and needed respite and drying time, the forecasted conditions

tomorrow evening are not so pleasant and we will be gearing up for 40kt

headwinds as we make our way north.

Our northerly course has already resulted in some increase in temperature

which is thoroughly enjoyed by the crew as they bathe in the first

sunlight that we have seen in weeks.BT

date 19.08.11

LAT 12 52.3

LONG 25 04.4

DTR 2400

COG 230

SOG 10.8

SKIPPERS BLOG

What an amazing 24 hours for Gold coast Australia. We are reaching some

very good speeds for sailing so close to the equator as we ride through

some very good breeze on the way to the ITCZ. Currently at 12 degrees

north and we are still recording 20 plus knots of breeze and sailing 90

apparent wind angles, giving us an average boat speed of over 10 kts. The

closer we go to the ITCZ, the more the wind will back, and the path chosen

allows us to carry our heavy weight spinnaker for as long as possible to

make the most of the wind.

It has not all been plane sailing for Team Gold coast. Yesterday

afternoon, whilst sailing in perfect conditions downwind with 14 kts of

wind and a slight swell I had gone below for some sleep, happy that the

conditions were near perfect and everything was completely under control.

I had been asleep for an almost record breaking 2 hours, when

subconsciously I felt the boat loose power, as expected, this was followed

by a call from the deck. I raced through the companion way to find our

medium weight spinnaker in two pices and was shocked. How could this have

happened in such perfect conditions? Within seconds there was a hype

of activity on deck, the two halves were taken down, video and photos

taken and then the heavy weight spinnaker hoisted all within 10 minutes.

We were off again, though unfortunately leaving some of the stitching of

our trusty workhorse medium weight spinnaker behind us. As the conditions

get lighter and the boat flatterns out closer to the equator, no doubt

there will be the familiar whur of the sewing machine in the days to come

as we piece the two halves of our favorite “Gold coast Australia” branded

spinnaker back together.

Looking at the weather data we receive onboard its a fantastic case of

being in the right position at the right time, as the wind we are

currently sailing in will be significantly less for any boats following in

our wake. I look forward to this mornings positions, and hope that with

our higher apparent angles and more wind we have gained on Yorkshire and

we can beat them to the southern side of the ITCZ where 15-20 kt southerly

winds await us.

From the other side of the ITCZ, it will almost be one tack all the way to

Rio. The crew on Gold coast Australia are very excited about this, as it

means not as many sail changes, not as much trimming, and not as much

manpower on deck as is required to fly the spinnaker.

While the crew on Gold coast Australia are excited about crossing the ITCZ

and the equator, everybody is even more excited about the temperature

dropping from its current internal temperature of 32 degrees at 0530 am

and external temperature of 29 degrees. Conditions below are currently so

hot that you could cook an egg or peel the paint off the bulkheads, making

sleeping down below extremely uncomfortable and difficult. On the other

side of the equator a more comfortable temperature awaits us. As a

skipper the current temperature brings me great concern as the lack of

sleep results in the arising in problems of fatigue and lack of

concentration which could result in dangerous mistakes particularly as the

pressures on a 68 ft boat at this angle of sail are quite high.

A good example of the pressures and forces we are currently experiencing

is an incident that occurred during the last watch. A spliced spectra

loop that joins the guy to the sheet chafed through and gave way at

approximately 0200. At the time we had our spinnaker sheet whipped around

the guy, a common practice to stop it falling under the pole. When the

loop gave way, the speed that the sheet passed over the guy while it

unwrapped itself, combined with the forces of the heavy filled spinnaker

pulling the at the sheet, resulted in the guy cover melting completely

away from its spectra core as the sheet was forcibly peeled off it. Quite

amazing, considering it would normally require about 150 degrees of direct

heat such as from a blow torch, to melt the cover in this way. This is a

good reminder to crew to continue maintaining correct practices when

loading and unloading winches, and why not to try to hold onto a sheet if

it starts to run free. If a running sheet can melt through the cover of a

technical piece of line such as on the guy, imagine what it could do to

ones skin!

Everybody on Gold coast Australia, whilst not getting much sleep and having

to put up with hot and sweaty conditions are having a fantastic time, and

getting along like a great team should. We have been very fortunate with

our wind so far, and hopefully, if the sun keeps shining on Gold coast

Australia, we will maintain this pressure for another two or three days

until we have crossed the ITCZ and set our course direct to Rio! BT