FROM MOTOROLA
15-JUL-1997 07:38:37

DAILY REPORT

As we approach the sixth and final port of the BT Global Challenge, it seems appropriate to share with you some of the conversations (!) that we have had during the past fortnight. It gives you an insight into how a well oiled yachting team communicates and what goes on in the minds of international sporting personalities.

(ps apologies for any offence caused)

"Have you got your tool handy?"	Chris
"That's a sore point"	Rob
"They are so far away yet look so big" "I wish I was like that!"	John
After a particularly poor night watch...
"What is the difference between Toshiba and Motorola?" "About one knot"
"It is always good to get it in when it is wet"	Dale
"How long do I put it in the oven for?"	Rob
"Until it is cooked"	Ligia
Looking at his nipples..
"They are great thermometers"	Rob
"No they're not, they are nipples"	Dale
"If they are such good thermometers, go and see if the kettle has boiled"	John
...coming onto deck
"Is there anything I can do?"	Ligia
"Yes, go and make some scones, you are good at that"	Kester
"Most wars were caused by sex or fish"	Dale
"What is it about her?" "She can suck an orange through a hosepipe"	John
"If you feel like you look, you must be very ill"	Dale
"I bet PJ (miles) wishes he were a cow - then he could eat his dinner twice"	Steve
"We just tried to put the sails on the other side amid cock-ups galore!"	Peter
...and the conversation of the leg took place at 0615 during an off watch breakfast
"Do you want a menu pinned up or do you like an element of surprise"	Rob
"I would like a menu decorating the table"	Dale
"And waitresses with short skirts"	Batista
"Short skirts and big tits"	Rob
"No not me"	Kester
"You surprise me Kester, I would have thought you were a big tit man"	Rob
"And a waitress with no skirt and big tits is preferable to a waitress with a big skirt and no tits	Dale

Excerpts from "News of the World", Motorola On Board Newspaper

best regards

Ed (Batista)

FROM MOTOROLA
14-JUL-1997 07:16:51

a little frustrating to be able to see 3 com not so far ahead in distance but a good few places ahead in position. Still that is what one design racing is all about. We shall just have to see what we can do about the situation. A good night sailing under the spinny with some thrilling speed on occasions. Lots of competition for maximum speed which still continues this morning. As the food selection becomes limited inventiveness increases but no overall shortage in sight.

The final edition of the on board newspaper was printed yesterday, a big issue for its final send off with great contributions only some of which could ever be revealed to a wider public.

Looking forward to some channel match racing !!

Doug Titford.

FROM MOTOROLA
13-JUL-1997 07:32:28

Yesterday was my birthday. Birthdays are celebrated in style at sea. It starts off with happy birthday at the beginning of the watch then again at GMT and as one goes on watch everyone sings the traditional song. On watch I was excused my duties of preparing lunch, Rob stepped in for me and made some excellent bread. We had a good sailing wind and I was able to do lots of helming which was great. The main party was the evening meal which today also included Happy Hour so we had bubbly as well as Scotch. We had the traditional party balloons, a very tasty chocolate cake & candles although we avoided the much used Happy Birthday hit by Stevie Wonder and part of this on video. Finally a very entertaining birthday card and a very welcome birthday present of a pocket multi-tool. Many thanks to everyone for making it a great day.
Kester.

FROM MOTOROLA
12-JUL-1997 07:18:23

We have started the last 1000 miles of our journey. For us leggers this just represents the last third of our journey but for those hardy souls who have raced around the world it is 29000 down and 1000 to go. Thoughts of home are uppermost in most peoples minds.

Wind is good and swell is moderate so we are making steady progress at 9 or 10 knots to the next waypoint at the Scilly Isles, but all the other boats seem to be doing the same so it looks like it will be a close race up the channel and even into Southampton Water!

A japanese card school has started on board and its nocturnal activities are rivalled only by the dawn activities of the porridge eaters! Ask us about it when we get back;-)

All the best
Willo

FROM MOTOROLA
11-JUL-1997 07:56:23

Go and use your keyboard skills on the daily report they said.I think that is boat talk for : get him out of the way before he screws up anything else! Anyway after 12 days at sea I have mastered various skills eg Sitting on the rail,not talking to the helm and even eating dehydrated food, all highly technical sailing issues. One thing yet to be mastered is getting into the top bunk in rough seas. Someone once told me that the most difficult journey any human ever undertakes is from the womb to the world. That person had obviously never tried to get into the top bunk of a challenge yacht! For me it takes lots of jumping,climbing,sweating and swearing before finally the right wave comes along and flips me in. Being born may indeed be the more difficult journey but at least you dont have to do it three times a day!

John Dobbin

FROM MOTOROLA
10-JUL-1997 07:51:19

A frustrating morning with no wind as we swapped between kite and Genoa trying get the boat going. Things got better later when it rained and we found ourselves tacking as the wind headed us. So we've spent a wet night sitting out on the rail and doing a headsail change. It's grey this morning after a short 4 hour night. Both of which remind us of the English summer we all hope to enjoy as soon as possible.
John Crozier

FROM MOTOROLA
9-JUL-1997 09:30:03

MOTOROLA DAILY REPORT

As another dawn arrives, many of our minds are turning to new beginnings. It seems unbelievable that there is only a few days to go. This incredible adventure is slowly coming to an end - sometimes you want it all to finish, to return to 'normal' life but deep down most of us want it to continue. We will miss the sense of freedom, the beauty, the challenge and the comraderie. It will seem strange to see friends and family after so long. How has England changed? And how have you changed? We are all very different people from the ones you knew 10 months ago. And as we prepare to rejoin our old families and leave our new family from the boat, life will never quite be the same again.

It has been and continues to be a difficult leg for us. After leading the fleet out of Boston, hopes were high. Presently we search the ocean for the illusive Gulf Stream. The most feasible and popular explanation is that it has been privatised and sold to Yorkshire Water by Tony Blair in an attempt to inject cash into the system. They have managed, through a feat of science to reverse the flow.

After a search into the bottom of the navigation table, we finally managed to full out the chart that shows Europe and the Channel. It has been collecting dust and getting damp for 9 months. We wait with anticipation for that first sighting of the UK. How will we all feel? It is difficult to imagine the view of the Needles again especially when our last visit there involves beating in a Force 9 gale.

Mark B

FROM MOTOROLA
8-JUL-1997 08:07:26

Yesterday was the first day of sunshine for a while, after a night of dense fog. This improved the spirit of everyone on the yacht,although we are generally a cheerful crew. Steve went up the rig as soon as the early morning fog cleared, to replace the defective wind instrument, so we now have a display of wind speed and direction after 2 days without them.
There have been several groups of dolphins visiting Motorola over the past few days as well as one or two whales.It is always a pleasure to see them.
C. Burge

FROM MOTOROLA
7-JUL-1997 08:32:12

It starts like this: first it's not there, may be it is but we do not notice. Suddenly, it's all over the place. Visibility is fifty meters, may be a bit more. Someone stands by the radar looking thoroughly for any signs of ice. The desire to see an iceberg is overshadowed by the fear of seeing one too close. Who cares to see ice right now? I'll see it some day I'm sure.
Fog is like this, it's like being in a kettle of cool boiling water. It gives the air and the ocean a mistic glare, almost unreal. The sun, with all it's power fighting to get through but the delicate mist overshadows.
Some people think it's ugly but I think it's beautiful. The race is comming to an end and I am saying my good byes to the sea. It will be a long time until I will be sailing across the oceans so I am making sure I enjoy the last of it. With or without fog.
Ligia Ripper

FROM MOTOROLA
6-JUL-1997 09:11:48

Round the way point, lots to do, 2000 miles to do it in, foggy as Hell. That's the trouble with sailing, always fog when you don`t need it,too much wind or too little - change the sails - always comming from the wrong direction - change the sails - or the current,s against you, or you`ve trashed your kite - change the sails, who needs it! That`s the joy(!) of sailing.
Could be my last daily report. Yipeeeeeeeeee!!!! Southampton, home and England here we come!

Ancient Mariner.

FROM MOTOROLA
4-JUL-1997 09:01:04

sea 63 deg
yachts seen heath insured
full main, no1, staysail
no damage
after a day or to with light winds, finally some boat speed and with little sea, the yacht feels air cushioned it is running so smoothly. great feeling to be here in the atlantic swishing along. as appears usual the dolphins made their appearance, looking suspiciously like they were herding fish.
food has surpassed itself today - chris created egg fried rice al la motorola to extraordinary effect. much subsequent recipe swapping ensued. the slow initial phase has turned more than a few minds to the subject of whether we have enough food to last the gps predicted arrival time which fortunately is still in time for the parties !

FROM MOTOROLA
3-JUL-1997

The skies remain blue and cloudless, the sun shines down benignly. The winds remain light and the ocean laps lazily against our bow. Our progress is slow and, by racing standards, frustrating. But there is more to life than racing and, besides, others are even slower.

FROM MOTOROLA
2-JUL-1997

greetings from the crew of Motorola to all our friends and families around the world brought to you by the miracle of modern communications - 'what you never thought possible'.

It's the start of our fourth day at sea and it is beginning very quietly with very little wind and slow progress reported by all the fleet.

Since we left Boston things have gotten quieter and quieter, and nobody has been sick so far.

On Tuesday we saw;
-the moon rising as as red crescent
-the sun rising as an orange disc
-dolphins swimming, turning and jumping at incredible speed
-lots of btgc yachts
-a steady 9 knots
-a spinnaker shredded
-glittering phosphorescence
-heavy fog with Rover passing within 2 boatlengths
-all the stars and
-whales blowing off

yesterday we saw;
-Toshiba
-dolphins and
-small birds that keep laughing at us

FROM MOTOROLA
1-JUL-1997

The beginning of the end is under full flow. Leg 6 has already proven to be a real match race with many yachts in sight. The pair of binoculars are never too far away, and most crew take their turn to spy the other yachts for sail setup and any movement on deck, giving away their next manouver.

The Motorola crew have been working flat out to gain any possible advantage. However, an unfortunate combination of bad swell and bad luck caused us to blow one of our kites! The team on deck were quick to react and damage was kept to a minimum. The prize-winning sail repair team have already got stuck in.

The farewell present from our local sponsors were two huge giant sized chocolate bars. The last night-watch tried their luck to eat some of it, alas, we couldn't even brake it! and this was using one of our winch handles! We'll be digging deep into our tool box tommorow and I'm sure chocolate supplies will not run out this leg. Thank you!

FROM MOTOROLA
30-JUNE-1997

And so we say farewell to Boston: a week of celebration and hard work, a week of celebration at Lodgy and Michelle's wedding and finally a week of hard work and reflection on all that has been and that which has still to pass. In the case of the last item, for me the final three hours of this time were interminable.

But eventually we were able to leave the pontoon and begin to concentrate on the matter in hand, getting home first.

I gather the start to have been exciting, it was certainly hard work on the foredeck as we juggled around sails, pieces of string and spinnaker poles to meet every potential change that the shifting wind might require. Gybe, peel (one moment to the flanker, next to the lightweight) and at times a return to our headsails all had to be covered. I believe we even led the fleet at one point, only for a soft spot and spectator craft windward of us to return the advantage across the start course. Whatever, it was still our best start to date.

Out of the heads and the fleet is beginning to split. At this stage those opting to keep the great circle route appear to occupy the higher placings, at least in terms of distance to finish. The rest of us further to the south are in close touch and do we need to remind you that it is time to finish that is the only important statistic?

The next two weeks will show us all which direction satisfied this criteria most effectively.

FROM MOTOROLA
9-APR-1997

As the 40th day of our neverending journey approaches, the great continent of Africa looms tantalizingly close,but there is still no sight of land. Indeed a prominent feature of this voyage across the Southern Ocean has been the almost complete absence of any signs of life.

We have crossed one of the worlds few remaining areas where not only evidence of human life but of any life at all is an event. A clump of seaweed floating by causes major ecitement onboard, a passing dolphin is the topic of conversation for days. The exception to this lack of life have been the sea birds; the prions, petrels and especially the wandering albatross who soar and swoop around the stern daily, reminding us that we are not indeed alone on Gods planet.

Out on deck yesterday we were observing one of our ever present friends, affectionately nicknamed Albert Ross by the crew. Looking into his eye as he effortlessly cruised alongside I thought how modest have been our achievements battling against the Southern Ocean powers compared to the distances and time at sea he covers. I composed this little tribute :-

HOMAGE TO THE WANDERING ALBATROSS

Oh Albert ! What do you think as you soar among the ocean mountain peaks ?

FISH !

Oh Albert ! What sights pass through those cold, bead grey eyes ?

FISH !

Oh Albert ! What brings you to this bleak and wretched place ?

FISH !

FROM MOTOROLA
8-APR-1997

Oh dear, nearly forgot to post a daily report for the second day running, but that's ocean racing for you. The intensity of excitement as we reach the metaphorical last furlong: actually telling people what's happening can easily slip your mind as attention focuses on analysing the respective positions of the fleet culled from the chat show.

The computer station in the saloon becomes a hive of activity. On one terminal anxious fingers tap repeatedly on the mouse , toggling between the latest weather faxes and our own records of boat performances stored on a spreadsheet. Will the central area of the high pressure to the west of us keep far enough at bay to allow us clear passage to Cape Town? How will it affect those ahead; can we limit the advantage they currently hold over us?

On the Capsat terminal the Bracknal forecast is displayed (actually I'm typing out this daily report, but otherwise it would have been), and JC, our version of Suzanne Charlton although he bears more resemblance to her father, trys to equate their predictions to his own interpretation of the analysis and prognoses charts supplied by Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Lodgy hangs in the background, waiting for the tell tale flashing yellow light that signals arrival of the 0750 position poll. New information that can be analysed, debated, on occasions disputed; numbers that can be crunched, results that can in seconds turn the boat's mood from euphoria to despondancy and back again.

Literally as I was typing this last sentence a short sharp 'Steve' from over my shoulder alerted me to the arrival of said results. On this occasion they were greeted with general approval; it looks as though we will have enough wind to arrive tomorrow evening sometime, our deficit is currently decreasing and we can at last plot Kids' position.

There will now follow a brief period of relative calm in the saloon, saving the on coming watch's lunch, until the whole process begins once again with the 1000Z weather fax, an analysis of 0600z. Just time for a quick fag.

Steve

FROM MOTOROLA
6-APR-1997

With the amazing piece of machinery commonly known as the GPS showing considerably less than three days to the end of my Southern Ocean adventure, my sweepstake entry for our arrival is looking decidedly dicey. Never before have I so much looked forward to losing a bet. Having experienced the arrival in Wellington as a host I am eagerly looking forward to recieving some of Motorola's renowned hospitality and a welcome from fellow Motorolans in Capetown.

Only completing one leg, albeit the most arduous, of this race has not dulled my sense of achievement, nor I hope my enthusiasm for adventure. I am contiunally reflective of just how fortunate I have been to be giving this opportunity. When I think back to the storms, the 65knot winds, the huge seas,the occasional bit falling off the boat, or not working as it is supposed to, I am in awe of the resourcefulness of every member of the crew who despite everything, got us back in working order again. All to often it was the person you would least expect jumping in boots and all to help. I guess that this is the objective of the whole race, but even then there are always limits and this crew, while they have come close, have not seemed to have reach their breaking point yet.

It will be with some regret they I will farewell these new friends in just over a week. Living on the other side of the world will make it more difficult to attend reunions or just catch up, but hopefully it will not be the last New Zealand's sees of these superb people, it will however be the last the Southern Ocean will ever see of me.
Ka Kitae - Bene Netto

FROM MOTOROLA
5-APR-1997

Yesterday the warm north winds brought new light to the boat. The one piece suit fell in disuse, midlayers came off, shorts were spotted on deck. Sailing in high speed with the kite up and dry deck changed the landscape above. The deck looked like a chinese laundry, boots, clothes, sleeping bags and gear all scattered alond the deck and rail to dry. On each sail maneouvre, besides checking if all the lines were free to run, we were also checking if no gear would fly or be fouled by the procedure. Music on deck, bread and scones in the oven, hatches opened to air below. The fustration of being becalmed had been forgotten and even being wet by an odd wave in the foredeck was not an unpleasant experience.

The count down to Cape Town continues on the GPS miles. The honor of helming the last 1000 mile to go was taken from Mark Baptist, my watch leader by John C. on an early watch change attempt by the latter. Mark tried not to look disapointed but he only became jolly again after implementing a cunning plan of revenge, yet to be discovered by the millenium thief.

In the last few days, scavenging the remains of sugar, biscuits, bread and scones have been normal procedure in the galley. Rob Chatwin and Dale Harrison are turning into master ciabati bread makers. The last supply of scone mix is now gone, the sugar is running low and all other sweets (honey, jam, chocolate and biscuits), if not gone, have less then 24hrs to go.

A few behavioural differences have been noticed between the watches. My watch is the scavenger watch. It seems that we do not believe in the concept of saving for tomorrow or even for lunch. Every bit of food supplied is consumed right then and few save their rations of scones and bread for the next meal or the next watch. The other watch is a bit more civilized . They are able to leave tempting trays of bread and scones in our reach, like teasing us for being such beasts.

Ligia Ripper

FROM MOTOROLA
4-APR-1997

Heavy weather sailing, as we have had in the last few weeks, is very physically demanding. Light weather sailing, like we are currently experiencing, is mentally very demanding. It is immensely depressing to put in a lot of effort to get the boat moving at the quickest possible speed only to find when the results come in that you have lost tens of miles on your competition who must have had better wind.

when we were surging to the waypoint at over 9 knot we had a sweepstake for the arrival time in Capetown. The least optimistic times are now starting to look very realistic with a speed of only 4 knots towards Cape Town.

At least we are all clean now, most of us cleanly shaven and the washing is hanging on the guard rails. The saloon cushions are also enjoying the sunshine to dry and make them a little less wet to sit on. Now the weather is warmer the condensation is stopping so hopefully they will not get as wet again. Our heaters have not worked for over 3 weeks now.

With the warmer weather the dress order has changed from; multilpe thermal layers, a mid layer, oilskins and boots to; shorts and a tee shirt, Bolle sun glasses and deck shoes. We must be heading north again.

Alan Oliver

FROM MOTOROLA
3-APR-1997

What do you get when you combine the large cooking pot lid, a few odd machine screws, six inches of heavy sailmaker's webbing, a drop of superglue and some Loktite? A new batten box of course.

The shape of the mainsail is held by glassfibre battens running its full width. On the luff (leading edge) the batten is bolted down in the batten box. About ten days ago, the box from the uppermost batten crashed down to the deck. Because we were still in gale-force winds, the first solution was to replace it with the box from the lowest batten, which was bundled around the boom with the second reef.

Mark Lodge then went to work on building another out of the materials we had on board. With one of our flat pans already gone to a heater vent cover, the large cooking pot lid was the next available metal sheet. This may have had something to do with why our medic Dale Harrison wound up wearing most of the curry while cooking dinner in the next Force 9.

An afternoon with the small hacksaw and the big hammer, and Mark had formed a new box. It was a few days before the wind died sufficiently to need to shake out the next reef, and we sailed gingerly for two days, checking the box every half hour all through the day and night.

Last night Mark took the whole thing apart to improve it, since we'll likely need the full mainsail for much of the rest of our 1140 miles to Cape Town. Through the first night watch, he tinkered with the box, adding more strips of cooking pot lid as reinforcement, and webbing to protect the sail from the box's sharp edges. Finally, in the middle of one of the darkest nights so far, we refitted the box and hoisted the much-needed full main again.

The whole process took about ten days from start to finish, and we'll be watching it carefully from here to Cape Town. In port, it would have taken about twenty-five minutes.

The South Africa guide book on the chart table may be the best read book on board, and we've already held a pool for our arrival hour, but projects like this one reinforce our isolation from land. We may have radio and fax communication, and freshly baked bread when conditions permit, but there's no ship's chandelry at 50 South.

FROM MOTOROLA
2-APR-1997

As we approach our final week at sea before arriving in Cape Town, the promise of shoreside luxuries is somewhat tempered by the realisation that we are running out of distance in which to recoup miles lost to the boats ahead. Whilst we are still at sea there is always hope that any deficit can be reversed. Consequently, for those working above deck the pressure to keep the boat moving as efficiently as possible is intense.

For myself, still confined below decks, the contribution to yacht performance is less tangible, but I hope of no less value. For example, a whole succession of sail repairs, many of which have been done in the same 50 knot winds that have monopolised these columns in recent days, hopefully mean that whatever the elements conspire to confront us with, we have the resources to meet them with.

The next seven days will be intense.

Steve

FROM MOTOROLA
1-APR-1997

The last day has seen a much appreciated improvement in weather conditions. This morning I spent a pleasant hour or so out on deck basking in the still rather weak rays of the southern sun. For the first time in three weeks I was able to actually feel some warmth diffusing through the usual Southern Ocean permafreeze.

The weather, always an important aspect of life for us Brits, takes an omnipotent role onboard (having no access to soccer results we're left with nothing else to talk about anyway). The dramatic and profound effects it has on our lives here is clear to see. During the usual Force 9 or 10 storms we're constantly subjected to, outrageous demands of epic proportions are placed on us. Superhero powers are required for the most mundane of tasks, I transform from mild mannered Daley aka Peter Parker to become Spiderman walking on walls (or bulkheads) with the boat heeled over at 45 degrees. I remove my foul weather goggles to change from Clark Kent to Superman flying through the companionway in mid air as the boat lurches down the cliff face of another mountainous wave throwing off all restraints of gravity. On deck for yet another sail change I evolve into Elastic Man of the Fabulous Four to contort and hyperextend my arms the required twenty feet over the bows to retrieve the flapping sail.

During prolonged bouts of terrible weather conditions the effects on the mood of the crew become more pronounced. Symptoms of depression creep insiduously in. We become more insular and withdrawn, crawling off to the security of our sleeping bags as soon as watch is over. With the return of the sun a rapid much welcome transformation occurs, we crawl out of our shells once again to enjoy, tentatively at first, the experience and demands of ocean racing. We look forward once more with optimism as the race progresses, towards improving our position and harbour heady thoughts and plans for our arrival in Capetown. Let the sun shine in!

Dale Harrison

FROM MOTOROLA
31-MAR-1997

It has been a case of more of the same, but slightly warmer. The usual boat routine of hoisting and dropping, reefing and dereefing has continued, punctuated by a very happy hour last night when the Easter Bunny braved the weather to deliver a larger than expected quantity of his fare to the good boys and girls onboard. This caused an immediate drop in the chocolate black market with some investors being caught by the sudden glut, and are hoping to recoup their losses in the ensuing 10 days. The top bid so far recorded is a full meal including all the wine. I wonder what the securities commission would have to say. With less than two weeks to go it is also time to start thinking of what will be the first priority after arriving, hot shower,steak,burger,chardonay,pizza,dry clothes,more than 4 hours continuous sleep, or maybe all of the above simultaneously.
See you in Capetown - bene netto

FROM MOTOROLA
30-MAR-1997

"Half an hour !" That is the normal wake up call to start the new watch. When you hear these words, which sometimes have to be repeated several times to actually wake you, you know that your sleep is once more interrupted and deck duty beckons. This Easter Sunday morning was no exception!

I woke up unsure of where I was, but in less than one second when I realised my face was hard against the lee cloth, I remembered: coffin bunk, starboard aft cabin on board Motorola. The first ten minutes of the half hour are spent psyching yourself up for the imminent watch.

The bed socks have to come off before getting out of the sleeping and bivvie bags ( it's vital to keep these socks dry - they are the only dry thing I own), the sailing socks, soggy and cold have to come on! The anticipation of putting wet gear on is like knowing that you're going to be diving into a cold pool during a dark night! The excellent thing is that you know that once you have all your kit on, you'll be warm and waterproof.

With fiteen minutes to go to watch change, I'm in the galley and a forever cheerful Peter Miles, from the other watch, takes hot drink orders while humming a happy tune. Ben Netto, a Motorola legger, is standing by the Fouley locker handing out drysuits. These two details give me the positive lift I need to face the day! As Peter zips my drysuit I inevitably start imagining what is the wind strength and how close we are to a sail change. As I sip from my hot drink the words "watch change" are shouted out and for the next six hours, we're running the boat ... until the whole process repeats itself again and again and again.

A few minutes on deck is all you you need for the adrenalin to flow. The last thing you feel is tired, and sailing fast becomes the only concern.

Sixty knots of wind, thirty foot waves and extreme cold are not the toughest conditions of the Southern Ocean, the reality is that getting up five times every two days is easily the hardest aspect of Ocean racing!

Today however is different: we're all getting a chocolate egg.

Rob Chatwin

FROM MOTOROLA
29-MAR-1997

For the first time yesterday, all three of the Motorola girls were in the port 3 cabin together: Ligia Ripper and I were in our pits but spending too much time airborne to get much sleep and Christine Burge was in her drysuit, having a Mars bar. We each have seven chocolate bars allotted for the entire 40 day leg, and Christine saves hers for 60-plus knot gusts. She'd just been on deck for one. I'd planned to do the same rationing, though I've weakened a few times and only have 2 Mars bars left. The Motorola boys are less conservative: Skipper Mark Lodge had finished his allotment by early last week and was reduced to bartering with watch leader Mark Baptist: 33 beers in Cape Town for Mark B's 5 remaining chocolate bars.

The general theme at our ladies' tea, as the boat pounded and flexed off the square seas, was how much we craved a good gale. Enough of this storm-force stuff: even a severe gale sounded good. From there, talk moved on to girlie stuff, like how our hair felt after 28 days without washing it. There had been a rumour about that hair began to self-clean after three or four weeks; we can positively deny any such miracles.

Now we've gotten our wish, with sunshine and only the occassional gust to gale-force, and this report is late because we were considering a change up to the Number 1 Yankee headsail. It's quite usual that we go through the entire headsail wardrobe and back again in 24 hours as the fronts pass over us. It's still too windy for the Number 1 though, but with the Happy- Meter (barometer) on the rise, I imagine we'll get there before the watch is over.

Kate Ford

FROM MOTOROLA
28-MAR-1997

Well here we go again another day with gusts of 59 knots. We keep on thinking that as we go north this will be the last one but, they keep on coming. Life becomes a routine of surviving in the rough and sorting damage and cleaning up in the calmer periods.

We have just dropped the main in glorious sunshine with a hugh sea whilst taking a shower every few seconds. We are still heading towards the Cape of Good Hope at 8.5 knots.

Life when the kettle is about to bounce off the stove becomes dangerous and tiresome.

The food on board is becoming repetitive. Most days for lunch we have flavoured rice and a choice of 4 or 5 diners which include: mince mash beams; Spaghetti Bolognaise; Westler (Boil in the bag) and a pudding. All very filling but missing the chewiness of a good steak and chips. (Cape Town here we come)

The weather is getting a litle warmer now so hopefully the boat will start to dry out soon.

Alan Oliver

FROM MOTOROLA
26-MAR-1997

Another daily report, well more of the same really but there seem no shocks now another storm another period of hands and knees cleaning up the mess,a relentless task of being knocked down and getting up again time after time,the southern ocean is totally unforgiving,there is no place to hide,the breeze eases and tempts you onto the foredeck to put more sail up,this you always do,knowing that in a few hours you will be going to the same foredeck to retrieve the same sail,to get washed down the deck,to get frustrsated within an inch of exploding(swearing normally helps this),there is no place to hide for the boat and no place to hide for crew any weaknesses are there for all to see,this is a place for persistence and heart,through the storms the main concern is safety,boat speed is momenterily forgotten but we all Know that once in port nothing can change our position in the fleet,we know that all the work is done out here together as a team,its an ongoing test of how well you can rise when you are as low as you have ever been.

Press can write articles,crew can train for the southern ocean but no one can really understand until they have been here,its for that reason that we come to find out,this is my second time around the world and my 4th excursion into the southern ocean,why?i still cannot give a proper answer but I do know that it has something to do with great human quality of making bad times fade in ones memory and keep the good memories vibrant with colour,there are odd very odd moments when you appreciate the vastness of this place,the raw power,natural power its unforgiving nature and at times its brutality and then on a moonlit night with 50 kts of wind its beauty,you see not a real answer,never will be.

Just one other thought dear reader when was the last time you were genuinely scared,most of us in our normal lives do not experience real fear if you come down here for the first time you may!

Mark Lodge

FROM MOTOROLA
24-MAR-1997

Going off watch early yesterday evening I could feel that as usual the wind was beginning to rise. We had spent the day clearing up after the previous blow of 2 days ago and at last the yacht was feeling clean and as dry as can be expected with no heaters available.

Sure enough I awoke to he news that the wind had indeed risen and was now blowing between 40 and 50 knots across the deck and that a joint watch sail change from No 2 to No 3 yankee was to be done. Another night of Southern Ocean gales had begun!

The foresail change went ahead reasonably smoothly and Mark Bs watch went off to dinner an hour late, we were going to give them an extra half hours lie in at the next change. During our watch the wind continued to rise until it was consistently above 50 knots, the seas were big and confused and kept knocking the yacht around making helming very difficult. In the absence of a complete trisail the decision was made to drop the main and sail under headsails alone, another joint watch sail maneouvre.

The sail was succesfully dropped, unfortunataley Rob cut his eye badly during the maneouvre. The other watch then gave us an extra half hour in bed. The yacht sailed quite nicely under just headsails and we remained like that for the rest of the night.

It is now early afternoon and as usual we have changed up to full main, no1 and staysail. The clean up after another storm has started, and the wait for the next one just begun.

The Southern Ocean appears to go on for ever, a steady succesion of cold, wet and miserable gales seperated by brief periods when we are reminded that sailing can be pleasurable. It used to be that we lost hours to account for time zones by having happy hours, now we do it by having major joint sail maneouvres! Roll on Cape Town.

Alastair

FROM MOTOROLA
23-MAR-1997

" Those who say they enjoy the Southern Ocean are either nuts or liars, or they really haven't been there " This is what Valarie Bell, American crew member, said about the first Southern Oceran leg. This leg is no different, possibly worse in terms of weather conditions: storm after storm after storm...

Valerie had to cut short her adventure after leg 2 due to medical reasons. She is greatly missed.

The enjoyment comes from working in a close team, which really becomes your family during the time at Sea! It's a hard relationship to describe, but it's like everybody comes together and helps each other to get through these rough seas.

We're in seventh place trying all we can to narrow the gap between us and the leaders. Kester Keighley, legger, has been helming a great deal and seems to enjoy it more the rougher it gets! As does Kate Ford, our American legger, whose 5ft 4inches doesen't stop her from going to the foredeck, and fearlessly battling against the waves during the numerous sail changes.

As Valerie would say: We must all be nuts! We're enjoying it! and we're definitely here! Fortunate for us that our third legger on the watch is Dale Harrison, a psychiatrist for the criminally insane - and he thought he was getting away from mad people... and now he's living with the whole of the Motorola crew!

Rob Chatwin

FROM MOTOROLA
22-MAR-1997

The day started with a continuation of the previous day's storm, but by midday (boat time) everything had calmed down enough to shake out the reefs and change, in stages, back to No 1 and staysail. Hard work for both watches in their turn, but very rewarding to have the boat going at good speed, in the right direction, and with a comfortable motion. Of course this is just a short respite in the scheme of things, but it is always nice to be able to clean and dry out below and return to acceptable living conditions.

A sure sign that things are improving is the sight of Lodgy making his biannual forray into the galley, cooking scones. On the other hand this could just be a symptom of the shortage of biscuits on board.

Elsewhere about the boat, Batista is overcoming the lack of printing facilities for the weekly newspaper by doing a recorded version on a dictaphone: abit like that early eighties flop of an audio music magazine SFX, but worse. I suggested that each article should be done in the voice of a famous actor, something akin to Peter Sellars' Lawrence Olivier's Richard III reading Hard Days Night. But neither of us could do the voice so we didn't.

Due to the above mentioned sail changes, this report is now a little late in being sent, my cynical wit is having an off day, and the guys want a cup of tea, so that's all for now. Have a good weekend.

Steve (& Christine who started this off but had to change the sail).

FROM MOTOROLA
21-MAR-1997

Kate Ford writes....

My 29th birthday started with gusts to 65 knots, droped down to 6 knots for a while, and now is back to a more familiar 35-40. I was expecting the Southern Ocean to be wet, cold and windy, and it's all of that, but I didn't realize that sailing through six knots of wind in leftover swell can be just as exhausting and frustrating as fifty, and the sails are bigger and heavier to drag up to the foredeck too.

At one point, I found myself literally lying down to helm, my feet against a brace and my side on the cockpit edge. My arms are just about long enough to reach the top of the wheel from that angle and it was the only way I could hold myself stable enough to control the wheel and to keep my knees and elbows away from the spokes, though I don't think anyone manages that entirely. I can't think about anything but which way Motorola is going to kick next, but I kept looking forward of the hatch for a shape in a neon yellow hood and ski goggles to come rescue me. We're only recognizable by a yelling out our names when we climb out the hatch or maybe by the color of balaclava peeking out from our hoods.

At daybreak, following a double watch sailchange, I was serenaded with Happy Birthday on the foredeck. I don't think it'll be a chorus I'll forget, even if I do come back here for another birthday. I'd like to come back again, for the moments like last night helming on track to the waypoint under the moon in what used to feel like a lot of wind before I came here. Although then, an hour later, struggling to free the headsail hanks for the bowman. I'm not big enough for the job, the sail is too heavy for me, but fortunately our watch's bowman is strong enough for two. I freed a few more inches of sail, and then lost it all as a wave picked me up and slammed me into the bow cleat and the inner forestay. My head was underwater and the seal on my drysuit sucked at my neck. But although I'm crying with the shock and the pain (and hoping no one will notice), and I certainly couldn't describe the moment as a "happy" birthday, I can't imagine a better way to spend the day.

With the tiredness, the soaking wet sleeping bag, the aching muscles, and the brain-jarring jolts as Motorola slams off another wave, comes the relief of going off watch of pulling the dry suit off and having three hours of sleep. Perhaps it's just the satisfaction of finding out I'm a little tougher than I thought I was, but it was really a good birthday.

Kate Ford

FROM MOTOROLA
20-MAR-1997

To;RHQ-re Pete Goss
Fm;Mark Lodge

Dear Pete,

We have been watching your progress via inmarsat especially your unbelievabe rescue which obviously made headlines worldwide,and was one of the most competent pieces of seamanship in recent times. We have just been through one of the worst storms of the trips but all I do is think of what you have to go through on your own- inspiring.

I still remember my first trip on the training boat back in 1990 it was also your first trip as training skipper,to Alderney we went in f7 and I loved it,on that trip you gave me the confidence to study and become a round the world skipper in a very short period,I remember asking why more people didn't want to do this sort of thing the answer was that if there was ,it would leave less opportunity for the likes of us to do these things.

You remain an inspiration to a lot of us Pete and if it wasn't for you pete I wouldn't be back in the southern ocean -you bastard!

I know what it feels like to hit port after 50 days at sea but your trip?it will be something else getting home enjoy it for all its worth mate you deserve it.

From all of us here on Motorola we wish you the best Pete and hopefully catch up with you when we hit Southampton

BIG RESPECT LODGY

p.s. Christine Burge would like to send you a personal thank you for spending time with her to convince her it was the right thing to do,she remembers the walk and chat around the carpark at qab,times like now we may all regret being where we are but deep down overall we all know that we are taking part in something special,if it wasn't for you Pete , christine would not be experiencing this special event.for that she would like to send her thanks and congratulations for your achievement

FROM MOTOROLA
20-MAR-1997

It seemed like the longest 24 hours of the race so far, and but for some very fortunate coincidences it coud have been even longer. Just before dusk the second leech line on the mainsail broke so with the watch change, we decided to lower the main and hoist the trisail so we could attempt to repair it. With all hands on deck for around 3 hours and battling strong winds we successfully completed the change and had the main securly tied down. And then it started to blow. With a constant wind speed of 55 knots and gusts frequently to 65 knots the night watches seemed to last forever. The trisail had only been up a matter of hours before the slides bent and pulled straight out of the track and the bolt rope broke leaving the sail held on to the boat by only three bits of strings. One would think to look at it, that we had mast problems and had jury rigged it. Thankfully the wind abated somewhat to a gentle zephyr of around 30 knots and we rehoisted the mainsail with juried leech lines, to try and generate some speed. Once again, at least, no one got injured. So we look forward to less than 1000 miles to the waypoint, hopefully no more storms of the severity of the last 24 hours as we can only reef the main twice and once it is dropped we don't have anything to put in its place. At least the sun is shining and we are just about halfway to Capetown.
Ka Kitae - Bene Netto

FROM MOTOROLA
19-MAR-1997

Thinking back on last summer and the questions posed by guests during corporate days- you know the type of thing, 'What do you do at night?', 'How do you stop getting bored' etc etc- I remember being asked what aspect ot the race frightened me most. No doubt they expected a response about 50 knot winds, 60 foot waves and so on- a fear of being frightened I suppose. My answer was being injured and therefore unable to play a full part in crewing the boat. At the time I did not intend this to be tempting fate, but this does seem to have been the end result of my statement.

I thought it might be useful to record for posterity by putting pen to paper, or fingertip to keyboard, the concequences of my mishap.

A quick consultation of the leg menu has informed me that it is now 10 days since I broke my collar bone, ten days of sheer hell. Not due to the physical pain, nor the inherrent discomfort of life on a yacht in the southern ocean, with or without injury. My anguish is purely mental. No matter how often the rest of the crew tell me not to worry, get fit for the next leg and so on, every time there is a call for a sail change or the outgoing helm and his faithful sidekick return from a spell up top dripping water and rubbing life back into deep frozen digits, I feel a cold stab of guilt. A feeling of letting the side down no sling or painkiller can help to alleviate.

To make matters worse, time is of course healing the break. I have almost full dexterity again, and so long as I don't try lifting or pulling anything too heavy with my right arm, very little discomfort. Naturally, this just makes me want to do more and more, too much, and I have to keep reminding myself that further damage is more detrimental to the yacht than my taking a back seat for the rest of this leg.

So how do I spend my time? Slowly is the short answer. I keep rooting about, trying to think of little jobs, organisational things that in the normal course of events, although useful, time has to date prevented being done.

Of course, on top of this there is the constant task of avoiding further bumps and bruises, particularly to my arm. Whilst living in an environment where the use of terms like floor, wall or ceiling is quite arbitary this is never easy. Single handed it requires planning of military proportions.

Anyhow, this is supposed to be a daily report. I haven't been on deck today (or the last 10 days come to that) but I have seen a series of reefs put in, taken out and then replaced again as the pressure fell, rose and most recently plummeted. Currently the sun is shining though and things seem to have quietened down- the boat is relatively flat at the moment. No doubt the reefing process will continue through the night. No doubt I will again lay awake listening to the tell tale creaks and thumps that remind me I should be up there with them.

Steve Gooding

FROM MOTOROLA
18-MAR-1997

The last day would have seen some pleasant sailing but for the cold conditions both above and below decks. After the storm of 3 days ago the steady breeze has been a real pleasure, particularly as we have been able to sail straight down the track to the way point. Unfortunateley the repairs to the heaters and to the stereo speakers have been unssucseful. Leaving us without heat or music. I don't know which is the worse hardship!

Now that we have seen the spectacular southern lights, the incredible fury of a Southern Ocean storm and the majestic magnificence of an iceberg we feel that we have done the Southern Ocean and it is with great pleasure that we passed the point where our great circle track starts to take us northward. Is it to much to hope that we have seen the worst?

We've just had strawberry jam tart and cream for afternoon tea - a little bit of heaven has come to the Southern Ocean.

Alastair Burns

FROM MOTOROLA
17-MAR-1997

The building of the personal rocket from the basic elements of the heaters is reaching an exciting stage. Who will be the lucky individual to use this rocket to take them away from the Southern Ocean to sunnier climes?

The selection process for the individual has yet to be decided but it seems that anyone with Mark and Lodge in their name somewhere would currently have the best chance.

In the meantime the rest of us wipe down the cabins to remove what condensation we can before snuggling into damp sleeping bags, safe in the knowledge that the heater units have been put to some use.

We can feel rather smug today as Motorola finally joined the Iceberg Club. It had a sinister atmosphere, both beautiful and scary.

Mark Baptist

FROM MOTOROLA
16-MAR-1997

ICE REPORT

Iceberg spotted to approx. 13 miles to Starboard. Approx position 52 15s 110 52e.

FROM MOTOROLA
16-MAR-1997

Sunday afternoon shave, full body and hair wash and reading a book. A normal sunday. Unfortunately the Sunday paper (Editior Mark Baptist) did not arrive due to a flood at the printers.

Today the Southern Ocean seems a breeze. 15 Knots of wind and heading for Kerguelen at 9 knots with the Spinaker up. A complete contrast to the 50+ knot storms of the last couple of days when surviving at 40 degrees below became a real chore. Sleeping nearly impossible and eating a fight.

Today has been spent getting the minor repairs to the boat done and preparing for the next storm which is inevitable. You are never quite sure when you go to your bunk at the end of your watch whether the next awakening will be to a bouncing bunk.

The weather has now turned very cold. We are expecting to see an iceberg in the next 24 hours, hopefully at a good distance. Washing up gloves, thermal liners, Goretex outers and neoprene gloves being used in all imaginable combinations to try and make the half hour stints on deck not too cold. Below is nearly as cold as the heaters have been out of action for 2 days now. A rota has been started to wipe down all of the surfaces and ceilings to try and remove the build up of condensation that seems to drip on everything.

This evening we had happy hour when the whole crew, apart from Mark Lodge who was helming (drink in hand), met below for a drink in the hour we gained from putting the clocks back and enjoyed sharing the other watches jokes.

Alan Oliver

FROM MOTOROLA
16-MAR-1997

Just to inform you that we have just picked up something on radar 4.6nm off our port beam,I did a fleet call on 16 to check it wasn't one of the challenge fleet,and also contacted CU on 4146 who were the closest yacht earlier therefore there is a very good chance that its ice unfortunately our viz is down to about 1nm,please inform the fleet

the position of the object was 52 40.00 s 114 09.60e at 0530 gmt 16th march

many thanks Lodgy

FROM MOTOROLA
11-MAR-1997

RACE REPORT;

Yesterday afternoon the breeze was finally picking up after having very little wind and an extremely frustrating 24 hrs, excitement grew as the wind gods beckoned us to put the spinnaker up, we duly obliged and wre happy just to be moving again, we should have known that down here there is only one master and its not the one on this boat, an hour later we were desparately recovering the remains of our spinnaker, the fun was over for a while as the southern ocean gradually showed us in no uncertain terms who the boss was, during the next 12 hours the ocean flexed its muscles as our sails got smaller, the howling noise grew and vision ceased as spray tore at our exposed flesh, why do we do it, at times none of us know, and then this morning with sunshine, music on deck and a big sweeping oceanand 40kts of wind it was ajoy to be here, a place that not many people see no polution no petty politics, just us and another 13 yachts racing around the globe.

Another stark reminder of the isolation is when injuries occur, on land one pops to the doctor gets a sick note and has a couple of days in bed watching aussie soaps,out here its different 2 days ago Steve gooding fell (which is very unusual for Steve) in very little wind and sustained a broken collorbone, imagine a yacht bouncing off wave after wave never still, a cold damp bunk, and a soggy book to try and take your mind off the fact that this will be your lot for the next three weeks, Steve is one of the stars of the boat and never stops working its going to be a very long leg for steve and for me as I have taken his place as bowman on the watch which is a bit of a shock to the system, I thought my days of being that far forward on a yacht were over, not yet it seems.

We are now going well again and have made up 30nm on the leaders in the last 24 hours spirits are high and the heaters are working-yipee!

Mark Lodge Skipper/Bowman MOTOROLA

FROM MOTOROLA
9-MAR-1997 08:53:52

And so we have come to the end of our first week back at sea. I know this as a result of comparisson between meals received and those displayed on our menu for the leg, hanging close by me in the galley. For me, one of the great joys of sailing is liberation from the banalities imposed by the Julian calender and society's dogmatic adhesion to it. To me there are only two states, on watch or off. In the former you work, the latter eat and sleep. Life is so much simpler.

In many ways it is strange to think that this is only our second week at sea since the New Year, we seem to have slipped back in to the routine so completely that, for a while at least, the memories of our stays in Wellington and Sydney can be put on hold temporarily to be savoured again at leisure and in comfort. Of course, we have five new additions to the crew for this leg and things must be different for them- one seemed very put out when on enquiring what I intended to do with my afternoon off watch I replied 'sleep'- but they are fitting in well and learning to cope with our peculiarities.

Sailing so far has been a mixture of euphoria and frustration, 14th place to 2nd and back to 8th in 24 hours takes some getting used to, but has brought a new definition for the word 'gorgeous' to my attention. Although i have been unable to verify this, it appears to mean 'going slowly in the wrong direction' for that was the situation at the time the word was used.

Still, the vaguaries of the wind in the Tasman Sea and our first low pressure of the South Indian Ocean behind us, we are now settled down to some fine sailing weather under full sail. The next front is still 8 to 12 hours away and so time to enjoy life at sea. The let up in the wind allowed a comfortable first happy hour this evening, and for those who have yet to learn the advantages of not removing ones thermals, the availability of showers. It is also becoming apparent those males expecting to meet their better halves in Cape Town for they are the ones prepared to risk cut jugulars in the pursuit of a smooth shaven face.

As i said before, at sea you are either on watch or off, and as I am currently part of the former, must return to work and take advantage of the flattish sea to trim the rig etc.

Steve Gooding

FROM MOTOROLA
8-MAR-1997 09:42:21

Back to familair ground with winds up to 48 knots and the decks awash with water. A spectacular panorama with bright sunshine, white water as far as the eye can see and wave after wave pounding into the side of the boat

For those who are here for the first time, the initial doubts have begun. Why did I say yes? It all sounded so glamerous on paper

For those of the crew who are coming back to the Southern Ocean, they are searching for reasons why they ever returned.

But it is fantastic, an amazing experience and as Mark Lodge keeps reminding us, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

I think deep down we all know we will come out of this stronger individuals, a closer team having experienced something most people will never even get a glimpse at.

I find myself in an unusual position of remaining down below for a short period after minor bruising on the foredeck, attempting to capture this barren landscape on film. I hope it was worthwhile

Mark Baptist

FROM MOTOROLA
7-MAR-1997 09:21:11

The day started quietly, with smooth glassy seas and very little wind. What breeze there was was very variable, so that in one four hour watch we gybed four times and dropped and hoisted the lightweight spinnaker four times.

Throughout the day the wind gradually built, so that we hoisted and then dropped both the mediumweight and heavyweight spinnakers. The major highlight of the day was the division of the biscuits between watches, with some debate over the recipients of the biscuits that had already been eaten.

C.Burge

FROM MOTOROLA
6-MAR-1997 11:14:21

Over the last 36 hours we have seen every one of the boats at some point,last night was exceptional 14 yachts within 11 miles,on Motorola we thought it would be a great idea to all go into Hobart park up for a couple of days and start again in maybe a week,other yachts declined unfortunately, I am sure the people of Hobart would have been more than happy but I,m not sure about Chay or BT.

Anyway 36 hours ago Motorola was 27nm behind Toshiba in last place we thought we had chosen the wrong strategy of staying east down the Tazmanian coast but eventually it paid off as we made progress through the fleet and on the latest position report we were joint 2nd 2 miles behind Toshiba,we have all worked hard and the crew work has been top notch,amateur they are definately not.

The seas have been kind so far and we are enjoying every moment of it but are undre no illusions what the southern ocean holds for us,sunshine and balmy seas will not be on the menu.

Mark Lodge

FROM MOTOROLA
5-MAR-1997 08:47:22

It was the best of times and the worst of times thus far. The day started with gentle winds and clear skies and as the wind and swell increased it necessitated a sail change from the Genoa to the No1Y. Half way through the change the wind increased so much that the No1, although hanked on and ready to hoist, was dropped in favour of the No2Y and two reefs put in the main. At one stage we had four sails in the foredeck area along with four or five very drenched and tired sailors, who succeeded in completing a very complex sail change in very trying conditions, perfect training for the Southern Ocean. After sailing for a cosiderable time through 4.0m - 4.5m swells and battling winds 30 - 35 knots gusting to 40 knots, we awoke this morning to smaller seas and less breeze. This aftenoon both dropped considerably and we are now enjoying sunshine, a gentle breeze and a 0.5m swell as we round the bottom of Tasmania.

Some insightful tactics by Lodgy, Baptista and J.C. saw us leave the fleet and go left, hoping to pickup an expected wind change and skirt the bottom of Tasmania without having to tack back and forth as we guessed the rest of the fleet would have to do. It proved to be the correct course of action as midway through the night after dropping to 14th place, we took the fleet by storm, making up 17 miles on the leader in less than 18 hours. Last night all we could see were two other yachts and they were both in front of us. Now at the bottom of Tasmania we are surrounded by ten other boats all within four miles of us, with the overall leader Toshiba being within sight for the first time since leaving Sydney. Ka Kita Bene Netto

FROM MOTOROLA
3-MAR-1997 09:17:01

What an amazing start on Sydney Harbour and the sun shone! But Chay never makes things easy. The start line was short and the approach upwind and tight. Most of the fleet tried to get upto the favoured end but arrived early with nowhere to go. On MOTOROLA we managed to extricate ourselves from the jam and crossed safely. Tacking up the harbour with masses of spectator boats and ferries on the water, helicopters buzzing above our masthead, all against the backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney Bridge was simply stunning.

We made it safely past the "MOTOROLA" bouy on South Heads and settled down to some serious offshore sailing whilst others did their 720 degree penalty turns after incidents in the Harbour. We headed out to sea looking for the favourable offshore current. The fleet started putting kites up. Some tried their 1.5 ounce medium weights. But CU showed this was the wrong choice when they blew their's in great style. So soon everyone had their heavywieght flankers up.

The night brought its baptism for new crew members. As the wind rose on a black night we dropped our kite and did a wet headsail change as the rain tipped down and the waves came over. The old hands simply remarked how warm the water was, at 20 degrees C and how pleasant not to have lumps of ice in it!

We kept on flying South during Monday, positioned on the offshore flank of the fleet. This worked well as we moved up to 4th with the leaders insight ahead.

Apart from some seasickness all MOTOROLA crew are well and all our kites undamaged in their bags. 250 miles done in an action packed first 24 hours.

John Crozier.

Leg 3

Yacht Motorola
Date 10 February
The racing is as close as we all anticipated. Advantages are gauged in yards, not miles. There are always six boats within sight, and their crews can be seen, set against the skyline, scurrying around like a small regiment of worker ants. All is well on board apart from the ritual regurgitations that are the inevitable manifestations of sea sickness. The first night at sea was an immediate reintroduction to the real world; a swirling sea matching swirling stomachs. We have now entered the Tasman Sea. We were greeted by an all-too brief burst of sunshine and a troupe of performing dolphins. But as darkness began to fall the clouds gathered. Another depression is on the way.

Yacht Motorola
Date 12 February
Seasickness has begun to recede as a problem although BBC and Sunday Telegraph reporter Mike Calvin has been fighting hard to get over the "little gremlin in my stomach".

The real question is - who has eaten all the jelly beans - ALREADY

Ben Challis

Yacht Motorola
Date 13 February
Let's hope that our policy on this leg of weight restriction proves successful. The policy included only bringing one T-shirt, no books, no walkmans and anything else which is not essential. The boat policy also extends to "hot bunking" which means we sleep to windward if its windy or to leeward if it's not! If during your sleep the boat tacks then its simple, you get up and change bunks!

Valentine's day is tomorrow and we're stuck in the middle of the Tasman... So, from all the crew on Motorola who have Valentines out there, we're thinking of you... Rob Chatwin

Yacht Motorola
Date 15 February
LEGGERS NIGHTMARE
A Leggers Nightmare of failing to complete a sail repair by Watch change : An un-named legger subsequently appeared at the next Watch change with, bleeding fingers, needle puncture wounds to his hands and perspiring freely and obviously exhausted but with a brimming smile of satisfaction from ear to ear for pleasing the master mariner of Motorola. Sail repair had taken on a new dimension with multiple scissorial cuts to all luffs to make easier streaming and observance of good trim. I understand that the 'excess' Yankee No1 is now used for playing Yahtzee . The 'trimming' now ensures that the skippers of Nuclear Electric and Pause To ... (we've forgotten) are now standing on their booms just trying to see what sort of sail configuration Motorola are currently running.

KIWI K.

Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996.