Gary and Nick made excellent time on the passage, arriving 3 days ahead of schedule at 2.30am Friday morning. They have a day full of customs, immigration, and marina and boat duties. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a flight for them to come home this weekend or early next week. Kia ora, guys! It is nice to have you back in the country. And for Gary, nice job on your >7000nm across the Pacific!

Just got a text from Gary and they expect to arrive in Opua at 4am tomorrow (Friday) morning. Hope to see them back home in Dunedin this weekend!

Noon to Noon run 164nm - Gary and Nick are really making record time! Hopefully they'll make landfall this weekend. The near New Zealand forecast looks pretty good, with a high pressure system keeping winds steady and light.

Noon to Noon run 166nm - wow, new record! Last night was really rough with 40kt winds. The forecast is favourable, so the are turning slightly and heading straight for Bay of Islands. At this rate, Nick and Gary will arrive well ahead of schedule (although probably exhausted from the rough sail). They've got plenty of fuel in reserve, so as the winds ease near New Zealand they'll probably have a slow motor. Both households miss the guys and want them home safely soon.

Noon to Noon run another 159nm day. Too bad it is so rough because they are making very good progress. The seas and winds are still pretty big and out of the East, so the sailing is pretty rolly. The seasickness is better, but they are looking forward to calmer winds as the head South towards New Zealand.

Noon to Noon run 159nm - wow! They are making very good progress.

Gary says that it is fast, but very rough (although it is getting a bit better). Normally the guys are pretty immune to seasickness, but Nick has been sick and even Gary is feeling a bit queasy. Let's hope that the winds ease a bit so the guys can get some rest. We want them to come home fast, but safely and having a pleasant journey.