Stress level is factor 10 on the boat. We have just received the daily position report, and overnight, and not only have we maintained our position at the top of our division, but we have jumped from 12th overall to 4th overall and are in contention for the Overall win. This makes the tension on board so thick you could cut it with a knife. It is still a long 3 days to Hawaii from here, and anything can happen, but we are putting the hammer down and pushing as hard as we can for the finish.
As of this morning, we still have 650 miles to go before the finish at Diamond Head. The boat is holding up well, with only a few minor gear breakages, all of which we have repaired and overcome. We have been averaging about 8.5 knots with about 12-17 knots of wind speed.
Skies are typically patchy clouds cover, with the occasional squall overhead, accompanied by the usual 22 knot gust.
We will, as always, persevere.
Graphic illustration is from Yellowbrick as of July 17, 2013 04:00 PDT