[password]tompkins
[position]10 12.8N 145 55.2W
[speed]7.8
[heading]310m
[weather] 25kn from 070 true. Overcast skies and rough sea state
[status] It has been blowing 22-26 knots from 070 true steadily for the past 16 hours. Our boat speed has been 7-9 knots, sailing with two reefs and staysail. Our most recent noon to noon was 192 miles, an 8 knot average. The skies are overcast and the sea state is rough. We are at 10 07 north and 145 51 west. We have left the equatorial zone and heading quickly into the winter of the northern hemisphere. Each day, since around 6 north has been getting cooler. This morning we noticed a tear in our mainsail between the second and third reef, so were forced to put in the third reef to preserve the mainsail and prevent it from blowing out. This has handicapped us a little bit and it feels comparatively slow on board. Gosh but rocketing through the night in 25 knots with two reefs and staysail felt balanced, fun and fast! Hopefully the mainsail will hold together and as more wind is expected ahead, think we will continue to make good progress. We expect at noon today to have 750 miles to go to Cape Ka Lae, the South Cape of Hawaii. Commodore is making his Captain's breakfast, we shall enjoy together, then he will go off watch and I will take over the deck.
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