When something like this happens, I get gripped by an immediate feeling of fear or anxiety and my stomach clenches.

I am currently speeding along with my biggest gennaker up and bright sunshine in the cockpit.

It feels like no time has passed at all since the last race. Pip and the team are now in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, for the Vendée Arctique race which starts on Sunday 12 June.

Pip and the team prepare for the Vendée Arctique, the first qualifying race for the Vendée Globe 2024

Pip answers your questions about the first race of the season, the Guyader Bermudes 1000.

Today has been a total change of pace, instead of the frenetic activity of the last three days, I've had a chance to focus on details and have tried to really understand Medallia and tease out what the boat needs to find and maintain that extra speed.