The forecast is nothing short of terrible. There is already a lot of wind, gusting 34 knots right now, and it is going to stay like that for the next four days. The system approaching us right now is messy with intense areas of breeze, many changes in wind direction which will result in a terrible sea state and it's moving fast.

We feel like we are back in the groove today. I've done sail changes, reefs in and out all day and Medallia has been cruising her way through the waves in that downwind style we got so used to at the beginning of the race.

With just about a week left to go we are expecting to meet with at least one big weather system and once again the boat feels small against the size and power of nature

It's another spectacular night in the trade winds. The full bright moon is lighting up the ocean and Medallia's decks.

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.

Having now spent two days in recuperation mode, trying to fight my body’s allergic reaction to the heat/sun/jellyfish sting, I've been reflecting on just how much I have put my poor body through in the last 77 days, and I am as ever impressed at what we human beings can do.