“Well I am well and truly ensnared in the clutches of the doldrums. For the past three hours I have been in torrential rain as if someone forgot to turn the tap off with wind from every point on the compass and from 9 knots of wind to zero. I have travelled forwards, backwards, east and west. I looked like I was playing a game of snakes and ladders in the water, although I am definitely finding more snakes than ladders at the moment! Big rain clouds cover the radar and I am not sure if I am into the next cloud or still stuck under the first cloud. My hands are now shrivelled like prunes and are beginning to hurt. I have tacked and gybed and changed sails and basically done anything I can to keep Aviva moving. The doldrums are going to make me pay a hefty price to get through into the stable Northern Hemisphere trade winds.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message
 

“In fact, sailors invented rugby. There were thirty aboard a boat and time was starting to drag as they were becalmed off Argentina. They divided themselves into two teams, starboard and port crews. The scrum was carried out above an open hatch. When the rope bundle fell in, they created a scrum until the hooker managed to get the rope back out and his team scored a point. Back in harbour, they divided up again into two clans – port and starboard teams. It was only later that this became known as the “third half”, but the principle was the same. The shirt I’m wearing was signed by the 92 Metro Racing team. It was one of my Christmas presents. They are used to being supported and in turn supported me over the past three months. I can’t wait for their next match, so I can go and support them!”
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia)
 

“The last few days have been so full-on with keeping Roxy going fast, especially yesterday through the Doldrums squalls, that I have run out of everything: energy, and words.  So, now I am in the stable trade winds, tonight and tomorrow are reserved for R&R and I promise to tell you all about the Doldrums later...”

Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

A very short message from Rich Wilson (Great American III) this morning, which is explained by the conditions he is encountering on his climb back up the South Atlantic:
“35-45 knots of wind across the deck. Storm jib and 3 reefs in the main. 15' breaking seas. 10.5 knots at 45 deg. trying to slow boat but keep heel on so that when the boat leaps off a wave it lands on its side, not bottom.  Violent outside. Violent inside.”
 

“I’m sailing very close to the wind on my way down to the Horn. My ETA at the Horn is now early on Monday. For the moment, life is very uncomfortable on board. Maybe it would be better to say that there is no real life on board. The temperature is falling as we head south. So, I’m drinking lots of tea and wearing the thickest fleeces. The only really positive point since Wednesday is that I haven’t had any new technical problems. At least I haven’t spotted any...”
Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message
 

“Last night was probably some of the best sailing of the whole race. The sky was covered with a blanket of stars that touched the surface of the water. The wind strengthened enough for me to put a reef in and then just a couple of hours later I shook it out again. I was then in fear of it being like that all night where there would be no rest and constant changes, but I was wrong. The wind then steadied out and Aviva was sailing easily in the right direction and happy to be heading ever closer to our date with Neptune. This morning was a different story. I celebrated a great nights sailing with my favourite breakfast, porridge and strawberries made before the sun comes up so it is not too hot to boil the kettle and then saw a squall coming. The squall came and washed Aviva clean then as it left the wind changed direction and stayed there forcing me towards Brazil. Although I never lost the wind I was for most of the morning not able to sail in the direction of choice. I felt restless for the morning, not happy to be heading west of north and then thankfully my patience paid off and the wind lifted this afternoon to allow me to make a good course once again.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message