A difficult start for Aviva and I. The furling line broke and I couldn’t furl the Code 0 away. I bore away to reduce the pressure but was running out of sea room. Whilst trying to sort my problem out, the flapping sail put a tear on the foot of the Solent sail. I couldn’t see a way to solve my problems so I elected to sort my problems out with my team and re start once I was happy.
This meant that I started the race about three hours behind the fleet so I have my work cut out for me. I soon reefed the mainsail off the Barra Lighthouse as I was sailing upwind in 18knts of breeze. The tacking has made the race very physical and I am still getting my trust back in the boat. So tonight I am keen to rest and sail conservatively as I get used to the crashes and bangs of upwind sailing again and be ready to up the gears in the daylight of tomorrow.
It is weird being here alone!
 
Dee