Contest day one.

Today saw the start of the organised event and we pitched up with our towels earlier than everyone else, not because we're organised but because we're still waking up at 6am. We were subsequently moved on but were fortunate enough to be placed next to last year's winning team, from whom we intend to learn much. With a little fettling we passed the technical inspection, although we're still to find out whether they will allow our batteries as they are on the borderline of being too heavy. People seem to like our boat and the general consensus appears to be surprise at the speed with which we were able to construct it. Our work space accommodates us easily, especially when compared with the larger crews and they are all larger than ours. The boat spent the day standing proud, the most obvious boat from the entrance and looking smart with all its sponsorship decals, the union flag welcoming all interested parties. Interested parties were in plentiful supply throughout the day and I've become used to being introduced as 'Richard, the one you won't understand'. We left the boat this evening ready for our seaworthiness trials tomorrow morning and headed for a provided supper at the university football team's stadium. Some more calculations await our attention this evening, as does a pack of beer.

Richard, Team Tarka