We headed across to speed-spot today with a forecast wind of 24 knots. The day was shaping up nicely.

We had a few new additions on VESTAS Sailrocket 2 with the TRIMBLE GPS that will be used for the record timing getting its first ride and the rear cockpit cover being fitted. There are many more small refinements which are finding their way onto the boat as we continue to "sharpen the blade".

The wind was already strong by the time we got to the timing huts. It was hitting 30 in the gusts but still hadn't swung far enough to the south. So we waited. As it swung it built... we were seeing gusts of 34 knots. This was too much.

RISKS...

If we were getting towards the end of a record attempt then it would be worth risking sailing on these days. There is a strong possibility that this boat could deliver outlandish performance on such a day if we could get it onto the course. It has no stability limits like normal boats, it is structured for it and the foil should continue to perform better and better as the speed climbs. Oneday if we do have to play this card... it may well come off big time. On the flip side, this hand comes with a degree of risk. I don't think that it is the actual sailing that is the risky part. It's the rigging up and general handling of the boat as the rig goes up and down. We are constantly trying to improve this system. We haven't fumbled this stage yet but it still spooks us a little. Part of the problem is the relatively small shroud base of the boat. We are discussing extending the transom by a meter and a half just to give us more rig control. It actually isn't that big a job. Moving the forestay further along is easy. I'm starting to think that this could be the biggest go-fast option at our disposal. If we are totally confident to rig up in over the top conditions then we will push the boat as hard as we can. It will certainly assist in the decision making process for what is too much. Extending the shroud base was always a considered option and we do have the piece ready to splice onto the back of the fuselage... I'll sleep on this one.

So anyway... back to speed spot. We were all tooled up and had nothing better to do so we continued to wait and monitor the wind. Here's some pics.

YEAH... IT WAS PRETTY WINDY, EVEN FOR THE NEW BOAT!

THE FIVE HOUR STANDBY DEBATE ROLLS ON...

VESTAS SAILROCKET2 HANGS OFF THE BACK OF THE SUPPORT RIB WHICH IS ANCHORED. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE IN THE RIB.

THE FLIGHT PATHS OF THE MAJESTIC PELICANS ARE ALWAYS FASCINATING TO WATCH

A LONE JACKAL WAITS FOR US TO LEAVE THE OLD TIMING HUT SO IT CAN SHELTER.

The fact is that we have another three days of solid wind forecast before the record period even starts. Right now we feel that we have it all to lose by getting too cocky. VSR2 is fast and the record is within our reach. We don't need to be lucky either, we just need to do all we can to stack the deck in our favour for when the WSSRC come. The whole debate rolled through my mind as we stood-by waiting for the winds to drop. It was good thinking time. I tried to focus on the forces that were shaping my decisions and consider how they could be individually changed to bring the decisions that bring the speed. It does all come back to the general boat handling in strong winds. We need more solid reliable hands (we are a man down at the mo') and a more reliable system. Wings can get damned spooky if you don't have full control over them at all times on windy days.

As the photo's show, this was a windy day. 34 knots is windy in anyone's books. The fact that the kitesurfers are looking for 50 knots is just mental. The tiniest puddles get choppy in 35 knots. It's no surprise that even their narrow trench has chop issues.

The fact is that we don't want to be sailing in anywhere near this much wind. We should be much more efficient than that... however, we are here simply to go as fast as we can and we will use whatever tool we have at our disposal. We have a very tough boat so why not use it? We can work on refinement later. Right now I just want that damned record. I feel close, like I'm in the room with it.

Back to speed-spot. So we waited but the 30 + gusts kept coming. At 6 pm we decided to can the day. Whilst towing VSR2 back to the Yacht Club we all noted how windy it really was. I don't know if it was the right decision not to sail but every time I bring the boat back from a windy day in one piece I know it wasn't the wrong one.

We now have one week until our record attempt starts. A good old hand is flying down to join us from here on in which will be comforting. You gotta love people who just drop everything to come and help when the call goes out. I'll sleep on the decision to extend the shroud base as there are always considerations that need considering such as re-rigging, structural loads and so on. Tomorrow promises similar winds to today so we will see how we go

Cheers, Paul