Tight at the top

Hamish Hooper blogs from on board CAMPER

Just under 100 miles to go until we round the famous Fastnet Rock- the most southerly point of Ireland.

It was once know as ‘Irelands Teardrop’ because it was the last glimpse of Ireland the emigrants would see as they sailed to America. For me though, it is quite the opposite- it is the first sight of the country where the finish line of this extraordinary adventure around the world awaits.

Reaching Galway has been like a carrot on the end of a stick hanging in front of my face the entire way around this planet of ours. Just the thought of arriving there has kept me going- and now I can almost taste the sweet juicy tang of the carrot- actually I tell a lie- I think I can taste the Guinness more than the carrot…

At first light this morning, again the top 4 boats are separated by a tight rubber band, pushing and pulling all the way to Galway.

We have just managed to hang onto the lead overnight by the slightest of margins. All of the boats are within a mile of each other right now and I doubt this will change in the 250 miles until the finish.

The final results of the race have potential to be decided in the next 20 hours, there is no point leaving any ounce of energy or effort behind. It has pretty much come down to this all or nothing finish.

Hopefully Lady Luck is riding with us carrying a four-leaf clover, just to give us that extra inch we might need to cross the line first.

This is a battle royal of epic proportions and the guys on CAMPER are literally throwing everything they have got at this last leg…

GOLDEN QUOTE, “The top four boats are racing at break neck speed towards Fastnet Rock, with no one giving an inch. This leg and this Volvo race is going to come down to the wire.” WILL OXLEY