Update from legs one and two by Kate

Leg One
After the start we flew off the line towards Bardsey and enjoyed seeing Team EADS get their spinn aker wrapped. Photos to follow. We sped west and rounded Bardsey an hour after slack water as the race began to rip. Compared to last years effort in the dark it was a pleasure to battle through past Braich y Pwll and by nightfall we were enjoying a splendid fish pie off Pen Mawr. The team got into watches and Andrew and Virginia slept while K P and D sailed the boat to Caernarvon. At the bar we had to tack in up a short narrow channel and were horrified when in 3.8 m at the shallowest point the marker buoy was missing. The light on CB6 had failed. It was with some relief we dropped A and V on the dock and greeted a cheery Bill. Four boats had anchored ahead of us.
While we slept the runners and Bill saw dawn on the mountain with beautiful views. They were so quickly back we were caught napping and had to rush to pick them up. Boats were heading up the Straits into the stream but also diving back out over the Bar to go round Bardsey. We chose the Straits and headed off in 12th.

Leg two
With our spinnaker flying we negotiated Britannia Bridge and were horrified to see White Cloud, an early leader, aground on Cribbin Rock. While rubber necking we foolishly stopped concentrating and parked up on a rather solid piece of shoreline next to the Swelly Rock. With some coolness Patrick surveyed his new boat on its side and decided that kedging off once the tide had risen again would be the best way to escape. We read the papers, ate lunch and took abuse from Kithros 2 as they sneaked past at low water. Helicopters whirred overhead and photographers clambered along the bank to snap us.
Eventually we rowed the boat back into the channel and set off again with a sigh of relief. We had wasted 3 hours but were still in eighth position as we left the Straits due to some having gone South or gone aground.
The wind kept steady all the way across the Irish sea and we were able to close reach with a little spinnaker work at the beginning and end of the leg. We saw nobody although we knew Kithros 2 was around somewhere!
At dawn we approached St Bees head and were delighted to find out that the fleet ahead was only able to enter Whitehaven at 4am so we were only 2 hours behind. As I write D and P are still on their way down from Ennerdale but on their return we hope to lock out with the four other boats waiting. The Dockers are aground outside and Tactix (EADS)has set off but the rest are waiting impatiently for water.

Meanwhile V is preparing the next gourmet meat for us. Freshly cooked meals, no Rat Packs for the Commodore's Summer Cruise. Japanese Noodle Hot Pot and pear and peach ginger trifle tonight. sadly no wine allowed till the finish!
Bill has been a fantastic help despite struggling to keep up on his own. He has provided food and drink for the runners, supplies of milk and papers and weather forecasts for the sailors, and been upbeat and cheerful throughout. Thanks Bill, this is a real team effort and you are a vital member of the team.
So off we go with high hopes for leg Three. Sea Fever is entering home waters and spirits are excellent. All are rested and the boat is in good order.
More from Bill and an account of the running from those involved later.
Kate

PS No major injuries to report. V had a sore knee so Bill bought her frozen peas which she used on her knee then added to the chilli con carne!!
I have a slighly sunburnt upper arm and a torn fingernail, but us sailors are tough and don't complain about these things...
A says he hasnt got any injuries, not even any blisters.