Well, tickets are booked for Monday meaning that the first of us will land in Walvis Bay on Tuesday to begin putting everything together. Helena will come down a little later with any bits we may have forgotten or been waiting for. We hope to be on the water as soon as is practical. We still have a lot to learn.

It appears that the kite surfers may not be returning to Luderitz this year for one reason or another. I have heard that there has been an issue with 'permits' of some sort... although that's only what I've heard. That's disappointing. I was really hoping to get down and see them in action this year. The competition between all the teams in recent times has been fantastic. From our perspective it's fascinating and motivating. 

The kiters swiftly took over from where the windsurfers left of and really forced we 'boaters' to the limits. Well, for now they have left the hurdle pretty damned high at 55.65 knots. Of course it is our aim to get over it. That's what we are here for. The challenge is daunting. Having a shiny new boat and a bunch of ideas is only a small part of the equation. The ability to navigate all aspects of the project through a long list of show stopping obstacles so that you can actually string it all together for 20 seconds on the day is the real art of success here. Just to get the opportunity to have a competitive craft and do an actual record attempt is a worthy achievement.

I'll really miss the competition of the other teams... but this is an Outright speed record attempt so in many ways they are all still there represented by 500 meters, the clock and 55.65 knots.

If we get it all together and I have the opportunity to point the nose of VESTAS Sailrocket 2 down that magical mile for an outright attempt... in my mind, Rob Douglas will be the 'neighbours cat' just ahead of me and we'll be the 'dog off the chain'. He's got 17.4642 seconds to get over that fence!

The next blog should be coming from the container in Walvis Bay with bits of boat spread out over the lawn outside.

See you there.

Cheers, Paul