Overall, little has changed in terms of the tactical situation. The field has moved closer together and swung onto a southerly course. Dongfeng Race Team was able to overtake Team SCA, otherwise everyone kept their positions.
Boring, as Bouwe Bekking, skipper of Brunel, thinks. He writes in the ship's diary:
So close and yet so far. If you look at the map, you might think we've almost reached New Zealand. But when you look at the kilometres, you know that the reality is different.
Capey (navigator Andrew Cape) measures the distance by how many Sydney Hobart Races are left, I take the distance from Lanzarote to the Netherlands, which we sailed a few times last year and which gives me a better feeling of how many days are left.
I don't often think about the mileage, but this leg has offered some boring sailing so far. But at least the clouds here at the equator offer some variety.
We give the sailors on watch absolute freedom as to how they sail out. That's why there are sometimes strong swings on the track. You have to react aggressively, otherwise you can end up in the doldrums.
Last night, in complete darkness, we were surprised by a sudden shift in the wind. In a fraction of a second, the wind came from the opposite direction. The boat was almost stationary and the large Code Zero was pushed against the rig on the wrong side.
Shortly after everything was under control again, we continued sailing on the same course, but on the other bow.
As it turned out, the sail had suffered two tears. In order to mend these, the cloth had to come down, but not rolled up as usual, but free, otherwise it would not have been possible to reach the tears.
Now, in daylight, you can see how the foredeck is covered by 300 square metres of canvas.
The boring sailing is over.
The video summary
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
