Team Russia has been enjoying the conditions in the North as they make their way around Britain and Ireland in a 2000 nm qualifying trip. Team Skipper Andreas Hanakamp sends an update on day five:

“It was a fantastic ride all the way from the Shetlands to the Irish Sea. In beam reaching conditions Kosatka excelled and even though we ran north of Ireland in lighter winds and a nasty swell from several directions, we clocked an easy 420-mile day.

“Constantly we have been monitoring a low pressure system that rolled in from the Atlantic Ocean, setting ourselves up to round it’s center in the west and ride the back down cross the Irish Sea towards the Scillies. Once again the boat is shaking all over when sitting in the mid twenties and clocking higher top speeds. Impressive waves have built up in the 45 knots of breeze further to the west.

“On board all ok, everybody is enjoying the ride and we run a queue for the helm. Even in these conditions, the boat is easy to control.

“We are very pleased so far with the design the Humphreys office came up with. One thing to improve before the start of the race in October is to reduce water ingress. As water is rushing over the boat at fire hose speed, every opportunity to get inside is found, making the inside a wet cave.”