West is Best
With Peter Mott off the grid (Thank you and happy holidays Peter!), the weather information is now down to the bare minimum. Despite heroic resistance from Kirsten, it’s still happening westbound. Higher and faster for Abhilash at 5.5 kts at 340°, against a very westerly course for Kirsten (4,8 kts at 290°) escaping for wind with no VMG this morning. Abhilash is now 2° further North than Kirsten, who only saves her first place mathematically by an easterly position which is costing her dearly.
Simon (CH) in between, is taking an average route between the leaders (4.8 knots at 315°) which allows him to go West without losing too much VMG, he’s limiting the damage with Kirsten, but lets Abhilash take off to the West. 850 miles behind him Cpt Gugg follows his plan, a bit West of 30°W as the wind starts to drop seriously. He made up 537 miles on the leader last week. Mission accomplished!
Jeremy (CH) came out of a (very) strong gale, which he sailed through bare poles, and saw the worst weather of his GGR coming up the South Atlantic ocean. Now at 30°S, he can rejoice in his quest for the best time between Hobart and Les Sables: he gained almost 400 miles from the leaders last week, and has clocked the best 24 hours distance of the fleet today despite the bad weather: 102 nm!
In the 50’s, Ian resumed his NE course after being blown off course by a gale on Saturday and is crossing the latitude of Port Stanley in the Falkland islands. All is well onboard Puffin, the week looks and he will be soon out of the furious 50’s! Let’s have a thought for Guy Waites, no longer in the race but no longer far from Cape Horn either! Sagarmatha is only 120 miles away but in heavy winds (35-55 kts) and seas (6-7 m) today and tomorrow.
