Ericsson 3 Leg 4 Day 3 Qingdao

We have a chance to gain some back on the leaders today. Or to lose more. We sailed low for a while to get around a reef that the others sailed through the middle of, and decided to keep sailing low and fast into a wind shift we expect off Borneo. It is a bit risky because the further south we are, the more likely we will find squalls and lighter breeze. And it all depends on when all the boats get the shift, if it occurs at all. Magnus has already chewed off all his fingernails.

At the moment, we are making a slalom turn every now and then to avoid huge logs floating in the water. Apparently, they float down the rivers in Sabah, Borneo, and some of them end up out here. I actually spent the Christmas holiday outside Kota Kinabalu, where we are pointing now, so I may benefit from some local knowledge. At least I know some good restaurants and beaches.

The upwind sailing has been nicer than expected so far, with a gentle sea state and not very wet on deck. Everyone onboard is having a good time. And the huge flares on the oil/gas platforms around us really make spectacular scenery!

In the first possible opportunity on this leg, I was washed across the deck during a sail change, and hit the dagger board knee first. So I am mostly stuck in the nav station with the unbendable knee, enjoying better sleep than normal due to the painkillers.

Aksel Magdahl - Navigator