Ideal weather is forecast for stepping the two 130-foot masts of Team Phillips today in Totnes, England. The craft, launched March 4th, will leave Dartmouth for Totnes this morning, and then dry out on airbags at low tide for the 10:00 a.m. mast stepping. Wind is the critical factor in this procedure as the light-weight design of these carbon fiber, free-standing masts make them particularly sensitive to even the lightest breezes. "We will be patient; we will just wait it out until the air is still" Pete Goss was quoted on his website. "These masts will want to fly, so it is really important to not let the excitement of this moment get the better of us. We won't rush it, we will be ready to lift them when the wind is right, even if this means waiting until the early hours of the morning.

Once the masts are in place, Team Phillips will return to her berth at the Dart Marina in Dartmouth on Friday where divers will install her six-and-a-half-foot rudders. During her stay at Totnes, the team will also attatch the wishbones and sails, and finalize loading of stores that the racing machine will require for her attempt to break the Jules Verne Trophy record. Team Phillip?s weather router Lee Bruce is studying weather data in preparation for sailing to London for the March 14th naming ceremony by The Queen of England.