It seems that the fire-hosing up on deck is coming to an end (for now) and I'm sure this is a huge relief to the guys who have been going hard at it for days now. We have a list as long as your arm of little jobs that need to be attended to ; there’s a hole in one of the kettles, lots of little rigging fixes, and with the conditions easing up Casey has also decided that its time to re-attach the starboard steering wheel.  Although it doesn't look likely that we'll be tacking any time soon.

People have started peeling off the layers and no doubt some are relishing the thought of a rain squall and the shower it will provide, they'll have to remember to lather up quick and rinse off even quicker though! These tropical rain squalls can end as quickly as they appear, often leaving the unfortunate bather covered in soap with no way to rinse off until the next squall that might never come.

We just got news that Michi’s (Michael Mueller/GER) partner gave birth to a healthy little girl.  Congratulations to you both and a message for Micki (that’s the mother) we will try and get to Rio as quick as we can so that we can stick Michi on a plane ASAP. After we got the news a bottle of champagne appeared very quickly and was gone even quicker. We have another little party planned for the new father tomorrow.  I think that Bob Greenhalgh is feeling a little out of it now because he's the only crewmember who's not a father! Dad's army for sure.

Rick Deppe – MCM