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The Last Supper

Nicola McLeod (Team Helly Hansen UK) / 29.07.2008

Ski is back on the beer and attempting to jump start our van which has emptied its battery over the course of the day, Mark is charging the exposure lights and talking to his mum on his computer and I am packing the required team first aid kit: packed with more than I would use in Basra! I wonder what they expect to happen to us ...

Sandrine has cooked another feast and we are carbo-loading in earnest. Some of the teams have chosen to get to Versailles tonight so there are a few empty pitches including that of 'Wilsa Helly Hansen'. This is a team captained by Karine Baillet, the super strong French woman who has been captain of the 2nd team in the last 2 world series races we've competed in. There's no doubt this team want this win and have an element of speed, power and a navigator with local knowledge to help them on their way. Marcel Hagener repeated the ropes testing with us today as he had been sent back by the boss to get quicker!

Jean Paul is the man in charge of all things high, deep or ropey. He mentioned today that there are some sections in the caves which require 15 re-belays ... a long shaft! We look forward with trepidation to the next few days... but not to the 5am start tomorrow to go and fight for the fastest stallions.

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