Today’s work included insulating the new container (spares storage, workbench, etc.). The container will follow us around the world, with Joe threatening to install bunks for the crew to save on housing. Anyway, Pete finished work on the starboard door, and then Joe showed how it should be done on the port door. His talents are clearly wasted.

The campaign has got off to a challenging start – we are having difficulty escaping the boatyard. The usual problems getting a raceboat ready have been dealt with, but the rudder bearing keeps leaking. To fix it requires the boat to be hauled out of the water, and the rudder removed. As the hull is over 12ft in the air, this means ladders, scrissorlifts, jacks, and a copious amount of swearing. Tonight we are back in the air, but feel confident the problem is now sorted – tomorrow will tell. Assuming all that goes well, we’ll start tuning the boat and testing new sails, plus calibrating the navigation instruments. Sorting out 20 days of freeze dried food is also on the task list. The final crew members arrive Thursday after missing out on all the rudder fun this week.

Our glorious leader has been talking to journalists again: “For Joe Mele, a 55-year-old retired doctor of internal medicine in New York City and fantastical stunt diver, ocean racing is about more than the competition….” More…