From the yacht Katinka - 28 December 2006

• NEWS
• 28 Dec, 2006 12:39:00 PM

From the yacht Katinka - 28 December 2006

All of yesterday was spent under the number one headsail which is indicative of the of the light winds.

We made more permanent modifications to the repairs on the pulpit where the life line came away from the prevoious evening.
The excitement of Wednesday morning when Darryl Hughes was swept overboard was not repeated for which we are all glad.

Captain Sparkles was not really sparkling when we discovered a gas leak during dinner preparation last night.  Paul had a choice of using the plumbers tape to secure the fitting to the bottle or breaking out the bottle of rum reserved for the finishing line, thankfully the plumbers tape worked and a beautiful Rositto was served on our soon to be patented downpipe plates followed by Cream Caramel and hot coffee.

For the majority of yesterday we were leading both PHS overall and our division as well.  Unfortunately this lead was surrendered or stolen from us under the cover of darkness.  We will give it our best shot during the day to reclaim the standings. 

This mornings pancakes and jam were replaced by cereals, fruit and a sail change.  We are now suffering from the predicted variable winds which still have a southerly slant to them.  We are currently chasing a pod of dolphins with the aim of varying our diet.
 
All are reasonably rested as we approach the Green Cape reporting latitude where we have to state that the engine, radio, life raft and crew are fit and well prior to venturing into Bass Strait.  This should occur in the next hour or so.
 
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All the best from the crew of Katinka.