After hoisting the storm jib, we spent 36 hours hammering into torrential rain and up to 40kts of wind. It was at this point that I realised that this was why I came on the race. I finally felt like the second part of my race was in fact a challenge after all. Seemingly, I’m not happy unless things are tough – must try to avoid that approach in life generally – more evidence of my inability to enjoy things for their own sake and my instinct for making life tougher than needs be… It’s amazing the difference 36 hrs can make though, because over that time we changed up and up until we finally had a heavyweight spinnaker up with 30+ kts of breeze. We faced a different kind of challenge as the kite took on a life of its own and seemed to be intent on screaming the boat up to windward with the ensuing risk of broach. Of course, Mark’s careful monitoring of the situation meant that we have changed back and forth between a poled-out headsail and a spinnaker, so that we maintain speed but stay safe. So I get to enjoy day after day of my favourite point of sail. The change in the atmosphere on the boat and the mood amongst the crew is palpable now that we are downwind!