Back in the North Atlantic

I hardly think anything I have to report today is of note following the intense drama of last night. But just so you know.... I am back in the North!

I got to experience Charlie crossing the line almost live, through the relayed messages of friends who were watching live at home. It was ridiculously exciting just then, hearing about him coming into the line at speed, then the wait to see how the rest unfolded. And who could have predicted a finish like this.

A huge congratulations then to Yannick, Charlie and Louis for an incredible race fought so closely through so many thousands of miles and my heart-felt sympathy goes out to Boris.

Meanwhile in our own little pocket of performance, the dice have been rolled, the six boats now in my pack have picked their respective longitudes to take on the doldrums and now we are all powering north to try and break through. I am the furthest West in the group. It gives me a slightly worse angle coming into the North East trades but I've been looking for the last couple of days and hope that the trade off will be a more solid breeze to drive me through the area, plus looking long term it does not hurt to be in the West.

Watching the drama unfold last night was a great reminder that in the 3,250 miles of racing I have to go, anything could still happen. Today I will go through my list of checks one more time, paying attention to the details with as critical an eye as I used at the start. The last 12 hours have proved that as much as there is opportunity there is risk. It is my job to stay ahead.