Ellen’s records in her daily log life onboard her Open 60, Kingfisher, as she chases the current leader, SILL, in the race to Portsmouth. Current conditions are not set to improve in the next few days, so gale-force headwinds are the order of the day:

“Well once again we’re upwind. It’s going to be a tough leg – we all had in our minds – and so far, even though we have not had the real wind, we have sure had our fair share of problems… The motion of Kingfisher is hard work, people getting bounced around, and tired as once again we fall of a wave, or get hurled to leeward in the forepeak whilst shifting the sails…

We have had electrical problems – which have had me with my head in the wiring for three hours, a batten issue where Youngster went up the mast to try to resolve it – and if it wasn’t enough the engine electrics failed! – more time in the wiring…

No one seems the worse for wear so far though. Even Youngster is quite chirpy after his mast session… Luckily he didn’t have to go so far. Eventually at 3 am I managed to get some sleep – comforted by the fact that at that point we had a small lead over Sill.

This morning I can see that Mike seems to have a problem, we do hope that all is well for them on board.

We’re having a birthday session here! The day before the start was me, then Robin our journalist on the start day – then today it’s Mark’s – I know what we are all wishing as the best birthday presents… we shall see?!

It has been great to get back out there again. As we sailed into Cuxhaven at the end of the last leg I said to Stewart – ‘this is where she belongs, out at sea. To be out on the open water – whether rough or smooth she is happy – just look at her, this is what she loves’. Having fled her lines, right now she is free.

There was respite from the wind last night as we had an ease in strength, for a few hours we could walk the decks with out our oilskins, and feel the wind, which was not so cold against us. The sky cleared enough that we could see the sun briefly set, then an hour later the bright red glowing moon hoisting itself effortlessly into the sky. We are back I thought, whatever we are in for, we are back.”