Position: 37.57.2N, 068.12.4W. Our drag race with Gryphon Solo from Bermuda to the Gulf Stream came to an abrupt end mid-morning when the wind just shut down and swung hard to the right. For 24 hours, the two Open 50’s were flying along in near-ideal running conditions, jousting for position just miles apart. When the wind dropped, we were halfway across the Stream: the first 30 miles took two hours; the last 30 miles took the rest of the day.

Trying to race on a hot day in light breeze is just about the hardest thing you can do on a boat. Not only does it take all your concentration, but it takes most of your energy not to become completely frustrated when all your concentration just isn’t enough to keep the boat moving in one direction. The seas are always lumpy in the Gulf Stream, and today was no exception. Throw that into the mix, then just image yourself on a giant conveyor belt wheeling you off in the wrong direction and you can begin to get a sense of our day. When we finally ran out of sunscreen, I’d just about had it.

Which is why I consider myself a very lucky man to have had Merf Owen on board today. Not only did he call the tack that broke us free of the Gulf Stream, but once we had the boat swung around and pointed in the right direction, he suggested I put my head down for a nap. I fell asleep despite the annoying slapping of waves on a hull going nowhere and woke a few hours later to the sound of the Code 0 (light air sail) being furled and to a proud smile on Merf’s face when he pointed out that we were clear of the Stream.

Now, we’re dashing towards the edge of a 120-mile eddy spun off by the Gulf Stream weeks ago when an oxbow of the current broke free to the north. We’re hoping to jump on the edge of this whirling pool of water for a 40-50 mile push towards the finish and away from the fleet that’s chasing us - after our fast getaway from Bermuda, they’ve done a spectacular job of closing the gap while we ghosted along in the light airs. Now, with only 260 nautical miles to the finish line, we have our work cut out for us to hang onto our lead.

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