Tony Bullimore
Blue Ocean Wireless Solo Round the World Challenge

Tony Bullimore reports: 

"Here l am within165 miles of East Cape of NZ which l have to round to get into the channel that will take me into Hauraki Gulf where l am meeting the tow vessel that will assist me in getting into the harbour.

This has got to be one of the most frustrating sailing exercises l have ever been involved in. With the right winds and no problems with Doha'�s rig, it would have taken me around 3 or 4 days to cover the course - not a couple of weeks!

At this moment, l am in a truly windless zone waiting for a breeze to fill in and get me moving. l am using the time to give the boat a clean up and sort out equipment, and get ready for the run into Auckland.

I have a job list already compiled and l have spoken to people on shore who can assist to get the boat repaired and ready for the high seas. I estimate it will take around a week to work through the job list, subject to getting the spare parts quickly.

I have just cooked up a freeze dried Sweet & Sour chicken with rice and vegetables, rounded off with apple pie and custard. I must say that the Back Country freeze dried food l got from New Zealand is excellent. It looks good, tastes good, and is very easy to prepare.

I keep thinking about where l would be down the course if Doha had not been struck so early with rigging damage, and l am still shattered by what has happened. However, l am not the first to have suffered these kind of problems and certainly won�'t be the last. My aim is to get everything sorted as quickly  as possible and get back on the fast track."

Lee Bruce, Team Bullimore'�s weather router has advised Tony: "After a brief period of SSW 10kt for a few hours either side of 06:00 GMT, the wind should again go lighter, and vary from SW to NW through about 26/12:00 GMT on May 26.

From 12:00GMT, the breeze fills in from the SSW, but still not much over 10kt.  So, just work with the light air as you can - even if it takes you on a north heading, because you should have the opportunity to get some west in later.�"