On our first few days here we really got a shock with the cold weather here in their `spring` which we would look at as winter. There was miserable rain for 2 days, and the temperature was barely scratching at the double digits. The water is just as cold. It was not a pleasant thought to know that the water in Sydney at my favourite beach in Manly was about 25 degrees. The air temperature here was not even half that!

Now, we are smiling. The sun has been out, the water seems less cold, and the temperatures are climbing. We have even managed to wear shorts for an hour or two. I spoke with the Finnish girls and they were excited to be wearing shorts for the first day since September!!!!

We have been fast in training. Now the racing will begin tomorrow and we will see if we can be fast and smart. We are happy to be finally racing and are looking forward to tomorrow.

Source: Jenny Armstrong / Belinda Stowell