(Report: October 17. UTC 12:01)

QUITE A BUSY NIGHT! On board Mari-Cha III, the 45 meter carbon ketch heading for a Trans Atlantic Speed Record Attempt, the skipper Lionel Pean reports that the wind drop wit a lot of swell as a result. The crew tried all kind of different sail configurations in order to keep the boat going. At current time, UTC 12:01), they sailing under blast reacher, main and mizzen on a 80 deg course at 14-15 knots boat speed. Last night (between Oct 16-17) the crew could sleep comfortable and the off-watch had a nice nap for the first time. MC-III is sailing in the tail of a low pressure who will become deeper and give them about 35-45 knots of wind for tomorrow. Boat and crew seems to be perfectly fit to manage these conditions.

(Report: October 18. UTC 10:32)

WHAT A “TREMENDOUS” NIGHT! The yacht was sailing a complete dark night with heavy rain and shifty winds from 50 deg NE to 320 deg NW and between 18 to 35 knots wind speed. They are very close to the centre of the low system. Trying many different sail configurations and a 40 knots gust kept the crew busy on deck. Two “unpredicted” jibes resulted in two cracked battens. One in the main, and the other one in the mizzen. Both sails down for repairs and batten replacements. Up with everything again, and than away.

(Report: October 18. UTC 21:26)

A HOT WATER SHOWER. The tremendous comfort of Mari-Cha III allows you to have your “daily” hot water shower between sail shifts. Ok, it sounds crazy on an Trans-Atlantic Record Attempt. But, that’s what this type of sailing machine offers you – so why not go for it! Today the crew sighted whales for the first time. Crossing the Labrador Current resulted in an extreme temperature change of -7 Cdeg in only one hour. Weather shows that the yacht will probably (if they don’t get anymore of the earlier “jibe and crack” business) make the crossing in about 8 days. But, never be too sure. It could be made in more, or in less. Hope for the less, though.