Crazy, highly charged days here at the VESTAS SAILROCKET base in Walvis Bay. The forecast continue to move around and we only have four days left before it's all over.

A large swell is making its way up the African Coast and wrapping around pelican Point before marching right up to the Yacht Club. Surf is breaking on the launch ramp and across the Lagoon entrance all the way to Speed-spot. It makes the whole launching and sailing thing pretty diabolical. However, the wind is blowing right now so we will do whatever it takes to get out there and have one last bash. All risks are now worth it.

The speed course itself is pretty clear of any bad waves... it jusy gets a long,low amplitude swell surge. So if we can get over there we should be alright. Wind is predicted for Sunday but we can't afford to put all our eggs in a forecasted basket anymore.

In a way I feel OK. As long as we are doing all we can then I am happy. I just want to give this wonderful craft and team one more shot at the title.

It always seems to come down to the last few days.

update... Nick just radioed in from the timing hut saying that the wind is currently 17-23 knots and from the right direction. The tide is low so he will make some depth checks across the lagoon. If it's even nearly ok then we will head out. Typically a day like this would hit 30 knots... but these aren't typical days.

Cheers, Paul.

Once again a great looking forecast has evaporated away from us like a mirage. This morning when I checked out the forecast I was left feeling sick.

Our record period runs out on the 16th i.e. in a few days and what was set to be a great weather finale yesterday... has dropped away drastically today. We can extend to the 20th and of course we will do this. It means that we will be sailing at low tide and this means that the Nautical mile course will not be an option. It looks like that which seemed so easy has evaded us.

We haven't been very fortunate with the weather over the past two months. We have had a few good days mind you. The crash really hurt us in this respect as we were still 're-dialling' the boat in when the good days were here. Well she's dialled in now. We are all here and ready to roll at a moments notice... but... no joy. This is/was set to be the last-hurrah for this boat, it's final shot at the title. Of course I can't leave it like this. There is a world record sitting inside its battle scarred structure and I want to see it realised. If we are denied this time then we will have to re-group somehow and move forward. I think of how far we have come and how close we are. All those hard yards cannot be left to waste.

For months I have had the vision of a record run foremost in my mind. I constantly cycle through all aspects of it from the many 'hats' I wear in this project. I think what it means to me personally, to the others around, to the future aspirations of the team/project etc. Well this mornings forecast was the point where the scales tipped to favour disappointment. Once again, there is nothing we can do but sit and wait for any option that might present itself. The forecast could swing the other way and we will remain 100% reactive until the last gasp.

Come on Walvis... get your breath back!!!

Paul.

As I sit here writing this and stuffing a basic chicken and cheese roll into my mouth, Helena sits down the other end of the container trying to work out if we just broke the nautical mile record or not. I know it was close...

We did a 45.68 knot 500 meter average and peaked at 47.6 something...

We sat out there on speed-spot all bloody day and only got one run in before sunset. We came home in the dark.

The forecast wind didn't quite materialise yesterday with winds only reaching an average of around 17-18 knots. It looks like the extra 'portion' necessary may have arrived today as it was already windy at midday.

We are getting ready to go out. It's colder than usual and whitecaps are already showing. I hate to say it... but It feels like it's a bit brutish. The forecast indicates that there will be wind until the end of our record attempt which is encouraging.

Righto... here we go again. Let's hope it doesn't get to gnarly.

Apologies for keeping you all in suspense and seemingly dragging this on. It's out of our hands and believe me when I say that it frustrates us more than anyone. Speed-sailing is a game of patience for all involved.

Cheers, Paul.