Amer Sports One navigator Roger Nilson sent the following message just after midnight this morning describing how he, skipper Grant Dalton and their crew are settling into the rhythm of offshore life.

“Had a few hours of dry throats as the water maker was playing up a bit. Now all fine with the machine after Pete’s (Pendleton) good work and some cups of hot noodles could finally be prepared. Easier then making freeze-dried as most of us a bit tired this (first) night.

“The fleet very close towards the waypoint but different ideas how to tackle the new low coming in from the west. Some boats heading more west and others more south.

“Feels good to finally be out here after a long intense summer getting two boats ready in very little time. Grant (Dalton) has been a great leader for our team and it is amazing what our team has achieved in a super short time. Almost mission impossible.

“Nobody has been complaining about long days work and basically no time for holidays before the start. We knew the situation when we all joined. There is a price to pay in labour when you start building two boats only eight months before the start.

“Today we have been happy to notice that our Frers boat has been performing well against the Farr-dominated fleet. djuice, as another non-Farr creation (Davidson-designed), has also been doing well and it seems that the speed of the boats in these conditions is very similar. We have a close race on our hands.”

Roger (Nilson) Amer Sports One