Date: 4th April 2005. Location: Aghulas Bank. Weather: Sunny and squally. Heading: WNW

A disappointing night where yet again we have allowed the distance between us and Spirit of Sark and BP to narrow. There is nothing like making life more stressful for us.

We have just crossed onto the Aghulas Bank and are now planning our strategy for the remaining 240 miles. The breeze looks set to remain for the day before dying out on us for the closing stages of the race. With a mountainous backdrop to Cape Town and the adjacent coastline, it makes wind shifts very fickle and wind shadows very apparent. The final negotiation along the coast could make a difference to any one of the leading yachts.

The breeze we currently have is very gusty, making holding a spinnaker very difficult and poling out headsails too slow in the lulls. It is a difficult and tense time for all the crews. The sea state is much smoother and the Aghulas current running in a south-westerly direction is now finally abating.

Maximising boat speed and keeping ourselves between Cape Town and the competition is the important goal at present. The final push will not be easy, as the stakes are rising all the time we are getting closer.

Dee Caffari – press report/Yachting World, 4 April 2005