Well the good news is that a new race start of 29th Dec has been set, although of course this is all subject to the vagaries of the weather being kind to us.

However the bad news is that Tom will no longer be able to participate in the race due to work commitments. Having already given up one job when we first entered the Indian Ocean Race, Tom is in no position to jeopardise another job, especially as they have already been so accommodating having joined them only a few months ago. It was a tough decision to make & similarly the same for myself to go on without him. Although that will not be entirely the case, as Tom will still be very much a part of the race providing land support & watching my back with regards to what the weather is doing & advise on routing.

So for me it's back to La Gomera on 27th Dec to prepare the boat for a solo expedition, which means removing Tom's clothes & personal equipment, as well as some of the provisions to make the boat lighter to handle. It means a whole new mindset for me & no doubt a steep learning curve on how to approach a solo row. However I have good advisers from those that have done so before & I feel confident that it'll be a success.