URCHFONT sailor Jon Duffield is preparing to set off on the third leg of the Global Challenge round-the-world yacht race, leaving Wellington, New Zealand, on Sunday.
Mr Duffield, 36, a systems analyst for Westinghouse in Chippenham, has been relaxing in New Zealand following a gruelling second leg from Buenos Aires when they were at times further from land than satellites in orbit above them.
He says he has now fully recovered from the severe bruising to his chest he suffered sailing through heavy seas to round Cape Horn during the second leg.
He is sailing with 17 crew mates aboard BG Spirit, which is lying in third place after the end of the second leg. They were only a few minutes behind the second boat, BP Explorer, when they crossed the line at Wellington on January 4.
The boat has undergone a complete overhaul while in port and Mr Duffield is now involved in pre-race checks for Sunday's re-start.
The third leg is relatively short compared with the previous one and the crews of the 12 competing yachts hope to make landfall in Sydney, Australia, in a week to eight days.
Mr Duffield said: "We are really looking forward to this leg quite
different to the last one. A quick dash across to Sydney. A full on, all-in push to get there first. It is going to be
special for everyone, especially skipper Andy Forbes."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article