28 April 2006
Doldrums nightmare continues for Dee
In Brief
• Dee “struggling with the lack of progress” in the Doldrums
• Average speed down to 1.8 knots in battle against equatorial calms
• Light at the end of the tunnel: weather forecaster Mike Broughton predicts an escape in the early hours of Saturday
Summary
“It can’t last forever, it must be over soon” Dee told herself in the Southern Ocean. Now the 50-knot winds have been replaced by the Doldrums and the phrase is relevant once again.
Her average speed this afternoon is down to 1.8 knots and as boat speed falls, frustrations rise. “I have played all the mind games I can and I am now struggling with this lack of progress,” she said in her latest log. “I really do have my fingers crossed for it to be behind me soon.”
On Wednesday she was searching for clouds because, “they would not only cool me down with the rain but were proving to hold some wind either at the edges or in the rain downpour that accompanied them.” In practice the clouds were surrounded by windless zones so she was forced to wait for the clouds to reach her. As a result she has been experiencing what weather forecaster Mike Broughton has called the “stop-start conditions” often found in the Doldrums.
“We went from 2 knots of breeze to 20 knots of breeze,” said Dee. “From 2 knots of boat speed to 8 knots of boat speed and from scorching heat to torrential downpour on regular occasions throughout the day and tonight is proving to be the same.”
Mike has been working closely with Dee using different types of satellite images, including QuikSCAT, infrared, visual and water vapour images, to find the quickest path north, and says that it could have been worse for Dee were it not for an early move north to the entry point:
“By turning north at around 21° west we have cut the corner a little but it's been a tense wait to see if it was the best option … The more conventional option would have been to cross the doldrums further west at around 29° west, but this would have required around 700 miles of extra sailing. On her current course she should punch through and progress north in the early hours of Saturday morning, which is much faster than the route further to the west would have allowed.”
In his latest weather commentary on www.avivachallenge.com Mike explains the conditions found in the area in more detail and explains how Dee and Aviva are tackling the fight for miles in difficult circumstances. Technological advancements have helped the process of identifying a suitable crossing point for the Doldrums and the ongoing search for wind, but Mike adds that sometimes the best source of information is found at the scene itself:
“Dee is also trying to intercept clouds herself by using a hand bearing compass, her radar, and of course, the good old 'mark one eyeball', which means that even with all the modern technology the best method can often be using your very own eyes!”
Quick Links
NEW VIDEO of Dee and Aviva’s journey so far courtesy of Seamaster Sailing:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=18
Read Mike Broughton’s Doldrums update in full:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=53
Listen to the latest Aviva Challenge podcast:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=32
|
