Saturday 12 December 2009 10:36am EDT
In NZ waters 990 (roughly) nm East of Coffs Harbour
34 13S 172 07E tlog 18992 (start 18005)
Boat speed 6-8, wind NW 10-18, .5m seas, COG 100t
Distance to top of NZ 0 nm We're there
Barometer 1022.2 Blue spinnaker full main
180 nm -24 hr run Noon to Noon ( today)
Hello from the trans Tasman victors,
We know that it is tempting fate to crow about an ocean passage because it might come and bite you in the arse. However we are quietly confident that we will step ashore at Whangarei sometime next week.
At 8am this morning the Jurassic-like Three Kings islands rose into view quite dramatically after 970 miles across the Tasman. To celebrate we had Vegemite on toast and a cuppa.
Winds have been exceptional - blowing us v nicely on a broad reach, with and without spinnaker Bluey, and various reefs in the main, averaging over 7 knots for 6 days straight, so today's order is to change clothes whether needed or not.
Talking of Jurassic stuff- this morning the deck was littered with about 20 small squi. Could they be the forerunner of the fabled NZ giant squid that greets Aussie sailors?
Your crew - (all of us are still on board despite the efforts of the YM)
