from the djuice Living Room

by Terry Hutchinson + Peter 'Spike' Doriean on 30 Nov 2001 Greetings from my living room, well maybe not the living room, but it is
the galley, living room, head, and changing closet.

It’s now day 19 of the trip to the Promised Land. Hang on a second Spike.

Sorry folks, I’m taking over the daily report from Spike. Terry
Hutchinson here, writing to you from somewhere off of Australia. About
half way across the Great Australian Bight. Great day of sailing if you
like sailing. From a racers perspective things could be better. We seem
to be slipping back a little from the boats in front and have Amer Sports
One breathing down our necks.

Tough to say exactly why things are happening the way they are, the
weather should be favoring us slightly but as far as I can see we can't
buy a break right now. However, there is only one time you need to be in
the lead and that is when you cross the finish line. As we saw earlier
on, our 60-mile lead dwindled in a matter of a 12-hour period so I don't
think that I would count us out yet.

What’s next? Good questions Spike, wish I knew but hopefully this time
tomorrow we are blasting along with a code 6 spinnaker hanging on for dear
life.

Currently blast reaching with a staysail set on the inside. Boat speed is
averaging about 13 knots, and life down below is well, I guess
comfortable.

Every time I look out and see the guys getting the fire hose, I think
that at least I am dry.

The troops on the dragon are hanging tough. Regardless of the result we
will fight to the finish, trying to squeak every ounce of speed out of
this beast.

That is all for now from somewhere other then your living room. I need
to say hello to Caroline Hutchinson and the 2nd grade class at St. Mary's
elementary school in Annapolis, MD. Hang on, Spike wants to say
something. Never mind. See you in Sydney.