30.01.2008
Temenos II making headway in the tradewinds
Aboard Temenos II the tradewind pattern is slowly settling into line. The
weather strategy was left to one side briefly as Michèle and Dominique were
forced to make a long obligatory tack in the trades, but they are continuing to
make headway, with an eye to their future passage of the Doldrums as they make
their way up the Atlantic. Before this though, the duo will have to pass through
another obligatory course gateway situated at the latitude of Fernando de
Noronha.
In contrast to the weather strategy, there is no respite as regards the battle
with Mutua Madrilena. The latest tradewind developments have given the advantage
to Temenos II, which has regained around twenty miles on its Spanish pursuer
since yesterday.
The tradewinds are a bit jolty at times, filling in, tickling 15 knots for a few
hours and then shifting again, forcing the duo to adjust the sail area. All of
this is par for the course according to Dominique, contacted at the start of the
afternoon.
“All’s well aboard. We’ve still got some very fine sailing conditions today. It
is very hot but the small onboard fan is aimed towards us and is freshening
things up a bit. It’s indispensable for sleeping. The tradewinds are beginning
to stabilise and be steadier, with fewer and fewer wind holes. The second part
of the night was more difficult. The tradewinds became very shifty, changing
course and being very light. It was more difficult to make good speed and we had
to helm and trim continually. The wind still drops from time to time. The cloud
passages modify the strength of the wind, but we should keep hold of a fairly
established tradewind until the Doldrums. We’re still too far away to decide
where we'll pass through. This zone is evolving very rapidly, but we are already
watching the grib files. We're also looking at how the climb up the North
Atlantic is going for the 2 frontrunners. Evidently the situation isn't easy.
It's interesting and instructive to see how they negotiate it.”
The day is drawing to a close and the sun is setting, providing Michèle and
Dominique with a beautiful spectacle.
Conditions are calm but require the duo to trim continuously. The spirits
onboard, like the weather conditions, are in fine fettle.
Kate Jennings
Expression.
P.O. Box 26,
Dartmouth,
DEVON.
TQ6 0YG
United Kingdom
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