The WSSRC have finally ratified our record at 47.36 knots so it's all now official. After making sure that all the little details were exactly right before ratifying it... they went and spelled my name wrong!!! Typical. Anyway, of course the point is that the project has reached the stage where it is setting world records and this is hugely gratifying.

The weather here in Walvis Bay has been pretty average to say the least. We have had North winds and no wind! Today was supposed to be the last day of the record period but we have extended this by another week. After that it will be time to go home. The tides are now all wrong but we will take VESTAS SAILROCKET across the lagoon on the morning tide and simply sit and wait for wind. We will have to wait until after dark to bring it back.

Most of the team members will also be returning to the UK on the 23 rd so once again it will be up to Helena and I to man all the stations. It's pretty frustrating but that's the way it goes. Speed sailing is an impossibly hard program to plan around. Extended periods with nothing happening followed by brief moments of high intensity.

There is wind forecast for the next couple of days but whether we get it or not remains to be seen. We will stay in a state of high readiness. Please just give us one good day like that last one. Let's nail this once and for all!

Cheers, Paul.

Well the title says it all,

We went over to speed-spot hoping to get something but when we arrived at the top of the course the wind had died, then it cam in with a vengeance from the west which created a small rolling swell down the course from the second lagoon. The wind swung gradually to the SSW but just as the swell began to dissipate... the wind dropped away to around 8 knots. yes it was frustrating... but what can we do?

We were in the right position to capitalise but just didn't get the oppotunity. Oh well, not for lack of trying and this persistence WILL pay eventually.

Let's see what tomorrow will bring.

Cheers, Paul.

Righto, we are gearing up to hit speed-spot. It's windy enough to get a run in but it is still to be seen if it is windy enough to manage any records.

Helena should be doing the live feed... amongst other things. It always ends up a bit rushed when the wind kicks in.

Cheers, Paul

We have just returned from a very late run over at speed-spot. I was just about to can the day when the wind unexpectedly picked up. We had to move a heap of Hobie 16's to get to the water. The wind was lightish but we decided to run anyway as it would be great to make sure everything was OK. The run went well with a mean wind speed of 15.5 knots and we managed a peak just shy of 35 knots and an average of around 33.5. Everything worked very well... but it always does on these slow runs. Still, it was b****y great to be back in action with the boat still looking so pretty.

Great job by all the team.

We are back and ready for more thrills... and hopefully less spills. Only four days left of this attempt and the wind isn't looking too flash. We'll see what mother nature throws us.

damn, it's good to be back.

Cheers, Paul.