Well with three days left before the end of our record attempt... the wind seems to have returned.

We are on our way out to speed-spot now after spending the morning giving the wing a good servicing. We took it off the boat and went over all the tapes before getting the heat-gun out and shrinking all the skins down. She is tight as a drum again and ready for what the day has to offer.

There will be more low tide action but thankfully the swell has diminished a bit. It's still there but not breaking as much as before.

So hey-ho... let's go.

Cheers, Paul.

We managed to punch out through the swell on the launch ramp and across the lumpy lagoon to speed-spot. We had to stop a couple of times to let the beam-on waves break across the boat... but we've done this before.

It was sort of wierd as it felt strong, looked strong... and yet there was just something missing. We have become pretty sensitive to the 'moods' of this particular beach over the past two years and I know when something isn't right. We stopped in at the Timing hut to check the Tacktick wind instruments. Sure enough, it was showing gusty and shifty conditions. We waited for a bit until the numbers rose on average.

Overall the pressure we are under to get a result now makes my life simpler. There is only one option for hitting the course. The boat is in smoking form and if we get the breeze then my job is simple... peg it on the beach and sheet it all in to the marks... and hold my breath. My job is not to react... this could possibly be the wrong thing to do in an intimidating position. The knack to going where no-one has been before is to just go that little bit harder all round.

Anyway, we squeezed off two good runs that felt great from my perspective although I knew they weren't 'hell' runs. I was hoping to nail a good gust down the course but it wasn't to be. We were focusing on the 500 meter 'outright' course and managed a 44.24 and 43.79 (peak 46.8) average respectively. VESTAS SAILROCKET felt perfect. The pod skipped the helm was responsive and I was left yelling for more wind. Once again, we did all we could and the team worked as good as usual. We sailed at dead low tide which we rarely do and this means I have to do some pretty sharp slow-downs at the end so I don't hit the shallows. I was actually surprised how quick I could stop. Needs must. This is all good for the low-tide days to come.

We ARE ready!!!

The forecast is holding for Sunday at the moment. It says 26 knots which will hopefully mean an average around 22-23 knots.

We are around our 96th run down the Walvis Speed-spot. Wouldn't it be great if we nailed this on our 100th run given that the conceptual father of this boat, Bernard Smith, is having his 100th birthday this very month. Now that would be pretty cool.

So, one down, three days left. We will do our best to make them count.

Cheers, Paul.

Crazy, highly charged days here at the VESTAS SAILROCKET base in Walvis Bay. The forecast continue to move around and we only have four days left before it's all over.

A large swell is making its way up the African Coast and wrapping around pelican Point before marching right up to the Yacht Club. Surf is breaking on the launch ramp and across the Lagoon entrance all the way to Speed-spot. It makes the whole launching and sailing thing pretty diabolical. However, the wind is blowing right now so we will do whatever it takes to get out there and have one last bash. All risks are now worth it.

The speed course itself is pretty clear of any bad waves... it jusy gets a long,low amplitude swell surge. So if we can get over there we should be alright. Wind is predicted for Sunday but we can't afford to put all our eggs in a forecasted basket anymore.

In a way I feel OK. As long as we are doing all we can then I am happy. I just want to give this wonderful craft and team one more shot at the title.

It always seems to come down to the last few days.

update... Nick just radioed in from the timing hut saying that the wind is currently 17-23 knots and from the right direction. The tide is low so he will make some depth checks across the lagoon. If it's even nearly ok then we will head out. Typically a day like this would hit 30 knots... but these aren't typical days.

Cheers, Paul.

Once again a great looking forecast has evaporated away from us like a mirage. This morning when I checked out the forecast I was left feeling sick.

Our record period runs out on the 16th i.e. in a few days and what was set to be a great weather finale yesterday... has dropped away drastically today. We can extend to the 20th and of course we will do this. It means that we will be sailing at low tide and this means that the Nautical mile course will not be an option. It looks like that which seemed so easy has evaded us.

We haven't been very fortunate with the weather over the past two months. We have had a few good days mind you. The crash really hurt us in this respect as we were still 're-dialling' the boat in when the good days were here. Well she's dialled in now. We are all here and ready to roll at a moments notice... but... no joy. This is/was set to be the last-hurrah for this boat, it's final shot at the title. Of course I can't leave it like this. There is a world record sitting inside its battle scarred structure and I want to see it realised. If we are denied this time then we will have to re-group somehow and move forward. I think of how far we have come and how close we are. All those hard yards cannot be left to waste.

For months I have had the vision of a record run foremost in my mind. I constantly cycle through all aspects of it from the many 'hats' I wear in this project. I think what it means to me personally, to the others around, to the future aspirations of the team/project etc. Well this mornings forecast was the point where the scales tipped to favour disappointment. Once again, there is nothing we can do but sit and wait for any option that might present itself. The forecast could swing the other way and we will remain 100% reactive until the last gasp.

Come on Walvis... get your breath back!!!

Paul.