Race Day

UPDATE: "Summary… Looks like a tough race with headwinds then very light winds. Not much real good sailing" (CW)

*******

Well, it's 05:30 Hong Kong time and I'm sitting here at the computer waiting for the final Commander's Weather forecast.  Sadly the breezes seem pretty light and getting lighter.  Last few weeks the NE monsoon has been pretty steady and strong, with predicted race times of just over two days, but now it's evanescing (or "abating" according to the fellow from the Hong Kong Observatory at last night's Skipper's Briefing), with a huge hole down the track, which means a hot and slow race.  Let's hope all the forecasts are wrong...
That aside, we're all set.  Xena was hauled out yesterday afternoon for a final race wash and she looks great, Noel having done a great job of getting her ready and through the scrutineering.
Watch the race progress on the Yellowbrick tracker which is here.
Also, I'm hoping -- technology allowing -- to post some updates from onboard -- which will be text only.  Please don't be tempted to send email to us onboard, as that could be construed as "outside assistance", which is banned by the rules!  Just comment on the blogsite if you wish, as we can't see that on the water.
Cheers from Discovery Bay!
Peter

CSR crewmate Pit, from South Africa, last met on the Cape to Cairo jaunt
In our backyard, Discovery Bay

At the Yacht Club yesterday.  Xena in the middle background, behind
Sell Side Dream, in orange.  Australian Maid front left.

Pit with Xena yesterday

Marcus our Weimaraner is a Xena crewmate
see him modelling our crew hat on right. Here with a
crested bulbul, stunned from flying into our
window.  Bulbul flew off a few minutes later...