So, the way that this works is that our departure day was day 1; today is day 2; and we need to arrive after 3:30 on Day 11. We will count down the days as we write our passage blogs.

The first night at sea started smoothly but the wind built from the NE until we were tickling 30 kts by breakfast, with quite big seas at times. Then it slowly settled back down and by mid afternoon we had a nice 15 kts. However, the overnight winds have left a nasty little swell so every now and then we get a bit of a roll.

Our biggest challenge is to go slowly enough. We have reduced sail and are trying to manage a pace that will get us to point on the ocean in a couple of days time. It can be remarkably difficult to get a boat to go slowly. Three of us boats left Denarau on Monday midday - Venture Lady, Site Office and Barracuda - and as we're all pacing ourselves we are still in radio range, unusually.

The first night at sea is never great for sleep. It usually takes three or four nights before we get deeply settled and comfortable in the offshore routine. If you are off watch during the day you sleep so there should be no shortage of rest.