The Atlantic Tradewinds Leg, so far:

This leg has provided some nail-biting match racing for Dare To Lead, particularly in Race 2 for the Hundred Years Cup from Puerto Sherry, Spain to Punta del Este, Uruguay. At the time of writing the fleet is in the doldrums corridor with the front runners soon to emerge and head for their first equator crossing where the crew will go before the court of King Neptune in the centuries-old ceremony.

Skipper Ryan Gibson reported that Race 1 had been a ‘tricky’ one for the team. He said: “We were hoping for a better result…We are very proud in all the crew on their development so far in this first short race. We had a few big challenges with heavy weather, things not going our way, getting stuck in wind holes and some damage on board to equipment, plus the living conditions with 21 of us in a very confined space isn't easy, so well-done team!

“We have really developed a strong team and friendships are building already. People from all walks of life are here doing this extreme challenge for various reasons, however, all have a common interest at the end of the day so they all gel together.”

With Race 2 came the challenge of working out the best route south, negotiating around or through the Canary and Cape Verdi islands, a scoring gate, doldrums corridor and a final ocean sprint.

The crew came out fighting, being first across the line. Dare To Lead went into stealth mode to hide its route through the Canary Islands and has remained among the front-runners after leading the fleet in good form, but just missed out on the scoring gate before entering the Doldrums Corridor.

Ryan commented: “After having been in the top 3 almost since the Start Line we were slightly disappointed we just missed out on the points this time but feel proud to be in the front four pack. We are happy to say we all survived the flying fish encounters as they hit the boat and crew at record speeds.

“It’s very hot and humid onboard Dare To Lead at the moment… we finally made the call, as the winds were getting lighter and lighter, to start using our six degrees of motoring. The requests went through all fine, the wind died off even more until we were at a crawl. As was to be expected, the second we turned the engine on the wind immediately picked up again and we were able to sail at around 8 knots for about half an hour. Fortunately, the small burst of speed was just some localised effects from a nearby squall and the wind has been a steady three knots coming directly in front of us ever since.

“Now we look forward to some slightly slower paced days as we motor before getting back to it at the end of the corridor!”

In a crew blog Griet Vandenheede reported recently on the rising temperatures: “If we had not noticed the temperature outside, the temperature inside the boat would certainly have given it away: 30 degrees Celsius and getting hotter. Pretty much like living and sleeping in a sauna without the refreshing shower afterward.

“Together with the miles…the confidence and smoothness of the different evolutions and roles on board grows: the wobbling of the boat goes on almost unnoticed now; the flying fish are swept overboard with less and less slipperiness and bread and cake making is becoming more and more, an art.

“I, for sure, have found my happy place on board, right there behind the helm. With a lot of practice, forgiveness, and expert advice from teammates, Charlie and Ryan, the overwhelming responsibility and power of the wind and the waves that I felt at the beginning, day after day, started looking increasingly like a smooth surf. And before you realise it, you are aiming at the stars at night…Reach for the stars and sail. Still loving this adventure!”