We used to pop corks at 40 knots... now it's just an effortless stroll.

We did a 41 + knot 500 m run in around 18 knots average wind. ( I haven't downloaded all the data yet... but that's my guesstimation). It was a joy to blow off all the cobwebs from five months of storage. The run was perfect in that the boat was hitting all the marks and behaving impeccably.

The wind came up a bit later... but not enough. I had seen enough and already feel willing to go all out for 50 +. I don't want to just keep doing runs for the sake of it as each run has an element of random risk involved. The next few days are forecast to blow... so we will put all our effort there.

The front end of VESTAS SAILROCKET felt rock solid... and I hope it stays that way when we point it down the course in a proper blow.

Hydroptere's new record is pretty impressive... but I must say that I'm quietly confident that we can do this.

Apologies for the live feed dropping out... it won't happen again. It was an electrical issue i.e. there was none in the battery!!!

So come on Walvis... we're ready to look you square in the eye now... give us your best.

Cheers, Paul