You may have noticed that Sanya and Punta del Este have returned to port. There has been an incident during the race round the cans in the outer harbour and repairs are required to both boats. This is estimated to take 10-14 days. During this time Rachel is free to travel but must return once repairs are completed. What matters is that everybody is safe.

At the end of the 10-14 days, the two boats will continue the race and times will be compared to the other boats. Sir Robin insists that boats do not sail on their own in the Southern Ocean, so both boats must leave at the same time. Points will be awarded accordingly.

Rachel is understandably upset and unsure of arrangements for accommodation etc. Please be thinking of her.

Sanya has slipped lines and been cheered off.

She has also been filmed in the sail past.

Not long now.

https://www.facebook.com/ClipperRaceLIVE/videos/504425806826646/

https://www.facebook.com/ClipperRaceLIVE/videos/2463786393894611/

Slipping lines ceremony at 12.00 local time. 10.00 utc. Follow live on Facebook.

Sanya now officially in 2nd place, with joker still to play.

Rachel was on board working all day today and attended the crew briefing. Most of her kit is now stowed on Sanya. Tomorrow she is required to be on board from 07.45am to go through customs formalities. They leave the Dock midday, then there is a sail past in the afternoon and the race starts at 5.00 pm. We won’t hear from Rachel for 23 days. ☹️

We are all with you Rachel.

Safe sailing.

There is a great Guan video from Sanya’s last leg featuring Rachel quite often.

https://www.facebook.com/131231287519133/posts/464562087519383?sfns=mo

Table mountain from flatThe famous tablecloth.Rachel at Cape Point where Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Sadly cold wet low cloud and raining.

Sir David Attenborough at Cape Point, where oceans meet.

Cape Town to Freemantle ( Western Australia) 5500 miles.

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/race/leg/leg-3

Rachel sounds to be in good shape and ready for the next challenge. The skipper says the Southern Ocean will be no worse than the last leg, but it is longer. She has been allocated a lower bunk, great relief, and is sharing with Su. (Not at the same time! ) She is very pleased about that. She is on a different watch from the last leg, which means that she is on deck from midnight to 4.00 am and from midday to 4.00pm. I think that means she sleeps from 4.00am to midday. She is therefore on dinner watch.

Sanya has a full complement of crew. 23. It will be very crowded and very little space for storage. Rachel has managed to find some extra kit, including a synthetic down jacket to keep her warm. She has struggled to find the right sort of gloves, but will make do with what she has plus washing up gloves on top.

There are 10 new crew on board, so she will be an old timer on this leg. She is encouraged that the skipper and many of the crew are pleased to have her on board.

She was on a whale watching tour, but sadly no whales.

I may not be able to talk to her tomorrow and they leave on Sunday, so I wished her safe passage from all of us. She has amazing courage, and believes she is doing the right thing, especially since she has the support of skipper and crew. Go Sanya. Go Rachel.

Please be thinking and praying for her.

L-R Carl, Rachel, Afshin, Su, Fred and Liz.

Wind was strong and there was the usual tablecloth, so couldn’t climb to the top, but they got to the highest point they could. 1670 feet. Black eye and swelling looks a great deal better. What a difference a day or two makes. And being on solid ground! Her friend Su is in the middle and has been invaluable support. It all shows what friendship and care can achieve .Thank you Su, Hayley (Su’s daughter), Mark (Su’s hubby) and Phil (friend). Photo credits to Hayley.