Now that the dust has settled, we have found our rhythm and are finally heading south, I have the opportunity to share a few of my objectives for this race and the reality of what sort of an outcome I could hope for racing in this incredible, high-performance fleet.

At last we’re well on our way south and starting to really settle into a routine; getting around the boat and doing regular inspections. The sun is shining and it’s warm and I’m enjoying sitting outside in just a base layer, which is incredible. Today is a good day, it feels like home again.

The last 24 hours have been pretty full on. The pace at which we went from Ushant forwards has been exhausting. We were really pushing the boat and decided to back off after a bit, because although it felt really good and the boat was going great, we’ve got to have the bigger picture in mind.

At 0900 yesterday morning Pip and co-skipper Ysbrand left a buzzing Le Havre amongst a parade of IMOCAs ready for the start of the 2019 Transat Jacque Vabre. The breeze slowly filled in and the boats departed at 1300 to begin the 4350 miles to Brazil.

All aboard people, the Pip Hare Ocean Racing Vendee Globe roller coaster is about to leave the station on its next crazy ride and you’d better strap in for this one because the final loop the loop is a biggie.

This year’s Fastnet race is something I will remember and smile about for the rest of my life.

The race played out in a way I never could have imagined; who would think it was possible to lead this race in a 20-year-old boat? But we did and I am still grinning.