As Spirit of Bermuda heads towards Charleston, South Carolina, in the latest leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, skipper Simon Colley last night sent this despatch on the progress made since departing Bermuda on Monday with the rest of the Tall Ships fleet.

"An excellent day of sailing, perfecting trim and repairing chafed rigging. All hands are over their seasickness and have been actively learning on deck and in the engine room. Our drop in the standings as a result of yesterday's calm has provided a powerful motivator to the crew and we are working hard to make up ground.

"Many trainees have become keenly interested in weather forecasting as the professional crew debate the merits of the differing Bermudian and US forecasts and how they affect strategy. Took photos and chatted to Peter Von Danzig over the radio as we passed within a few miles of each other, sailing in company until the winds shifted and our paths diverged. We envied their spinnaker - just a little."

Spirit's position at 1400UTC: Wednesday June 17.

33º21'N x 69º10'W

COG 285ºT

SOG 9.0 knots

NE'ly breeze, Force 4 - moderate sea.

Barometer 1021 mb and steady.

Under full sail on a beam reach

Daily run since 1400 yesterday: 131 NM as the crow flies.

238 NM from Bermuda

529 NM from Charleston