Thermals and foulies were the order for the start, designed to keep me warm and dry, which worked all the way to the Solent, when reverse breathability kicked in, and a wetsuit would have been better. My feet remained dry thanks to the one pair of waterproof socks, wellies and the rubber seal at the top of my boots. Into my box had gone a change of underwear and T-shirt per week for four weeks, a change of shorts (all of which were recycled), washing kit, personal first aid kit, a Walkman and tape, camera and film, diary, not to mention sunnies and cap for those blistering hot days round the equator.

A pencil torch lit the way when sail changing at night, a multi-purpose tool was always on hand for those little jobs on board and a vicious looking knife ready to slash any unsuspecting sheet (rope attached to sail) that tried to pull you overboard.

The sleeping bag was packed away and used as a pillow once past the Spanish coast due to the ever increasing heat. Part of everyone’s kit list was a dinghy drysuit for use in emergencies which saw out the trip in the bottom of my box. Add to this the fact that I am slightly on the large side and you’ll understand why the ‘agreed’ (skippers word for it, not mine) list was kept to the functional items only, to keep the yacht as light as possible.

We began the leg in corporate clothing and arrived in Rio just as smart - another day at the office.’