VOR: GREEN DRAGON LEG SIX DAY 14 QFB: received 24.04.09 1304 GMT

by Ian Walker (skipper)

After nearly 12 days of reaching along in a drag race, something has finally happened. First we had to choose tactically when to gybe and then we had some great downwind spinnaker running.

More recently we have all crossed the front and this transition has been very kind to us. For 12 days now we have had to keep plugging away, sailing as fast as we can in the belief that either someone would make a mistake or the weather would 'throw us a bone'.

Well, we have had a bit of both and while it is nothing to scream and shout about it felt good seeing the Green Dragon out of last place for a few scheds at least.

We are basically now neck and neck with Telefónica Black after being 73 miles behind them yesterday morning. That constitutes a good day in the office and is a nice boost for the lads who have never ceased to keep pushing as hard as we can and navigator Ian Moore who had to make the one big call on when to gybe.

It is starting to feel like we are in the North Atlantic again with cooler water, over 20 knots of wind on the nose and a reasonable head sea. It is still quite pleasant but feels more like business as usual with moving around the boat being difficult and sleeping not so easy. If we could just drop the temperature some more and get rid of the sun we would all feel right at home again.

Looking ahead, we now have a tight race on our hands with Delta Lloyd (11 miles ahead) and Telefónica Black (6 miles behind). The next big navigational decision will be how and when to cross the Gulf Stream. After that it will be a question of missing all the mating whales and trying to find Boston harbour.

Unlike all the previous legs, the ETA seems to be coming forward as we get closer, but I have now learnt to ignore this. We will get there when we get there and if we can beat one or both of the boats we are close to, then that is the most important thing. At least we are not starving to death this time!

Volvo Ocean Race