Hi all, these North winds have been dogging us for some time now. They are making a mess of the typical SSW winds. We look at the forecasts and sit around in a state of readiness waiting for the shift... but no joy recently. Today looks set to be the same.

We dropped Malcolm off in Swakopmund this morning as he is set to fly back to the UK later today. The forecasts say we should get wind tomorrow but I will believe it when I see it. The morning high tides are beginning to overlap into the early afternoon and each day gets better for us.

So we all sit here in the container with VESTAS SAILROCKET outside under her covers hiding from the midday African sun. We are currently watching Hydroptere's website to see if they will go sailing today. It's great to know that they are chasing our numbers for a change... the trouble with this scenario is I also know how motivated they will be to beat them!!!

We have made the mods to VESTAS SAILROCKET which at this stage include tucking the foil under another 2 degrees to account for full-load structural flexing and fitting a reverse flap on the inboard end of the beam to put an aerodynamic downforce inboard which will work irrespective of the hydrodynamics. The outboard lifting flap has also been dialled up a notch to lift a fraction more. The higher the pod flies, the higher the negative angle of attack of the whole beam. One of the troubles with the flip scenario was that the whole front lifted without much roll. We will tread a little more carefully when we sail in ideal conditions and will do the first run with the wing eased a little to monitor the performance in case there are any other little demons waiting.

We have all looked at all the relevant videos in detail and considered all aspects of the boat and program in general. Some of the comments from people watching the project relate more to an entirely different boat and time line to what we have on the plate before us. We are well aware of the shortcomings of this Mk1 design as we approach its limits and we are equally well aware of the options at our disposal for a Mk2. Our objective is to get the outright speed sailing record and we still believe that we can do it with our current boat. We have put around another 70+kg's of down force on the front of the boat and coupled with a cautious approach we should be able to proceed in a safe enough manner.

We have six days left in this session and we won't be extending this particular session beyond this.

Fingers are crossed and thumbs are held.

Cheers, Paul.

The WSSRC have finally ratified our record at 47.36 knots so it's all now official. After making sure that all the little details were exactly right before ratifying it... they went and spelled my name wrong!!! Typical. Anyway, of course the point is that the project has reached the stage where it is setting world records and this is hugely gratifying.

The weather here in Walvis Bay has been pretty average to say the least. We have had North winds and no wind! Today was supposed to be the last day of the record period but we have extended this by another week. After that it will be time to go home. The tides are now all wrong but we will take VESTAS SAILROCKET across the lagoon on the morning tide and simply sit and wait for wind. We will have to wait until after dark to bring it back.

Most of the team members will also be returning to the UK on the 23 rd so once again it will be up to Helena and I to man all the stations. It's pretty frustrating but that's the way it goes. Speed sailing is an impossibly hard program to plan around. Extended periods with nothing happening followed by brief moments of high intensity.

There is wind forecast for the next couple of days but whether we get it or not remains to be seen. We will stay in a state of high readiness. Please just give us one good day like that last one. Let's nail this once and for all!

Cheers, Paul.

Well the title says it all,

We went over to speed-spot hoping to get something but when we arrived at the top of the course the wind had died, then it cam in with a vengeance from the west which created a small rolling swell down the course from the second lagoon. The wind swung gradually to the SSW but just as the swell began to dissipate... the wind dropped away to around 8 knots. yes it was frustrating... but what can we do?

We were in the right position to capitalise but just didn't get the oppotunity. Oh well, not for lack of trying and this persistence WILL pay eventually.

Let's see what tomorrow will bring.

Cheers, Paul.

Righto, we are gearing up to hit speed-spot. It's windy enough to get a run in but it is still to be seen if it is windy enough to manage any records.

Helena should be doing the live feed... amongst other things. It always ends up a bit rushed when the wind kicks in.

Cheers, Paul