Question asked by Scott:

Hi Rich, Your journey is awe inspiring. In your logs you reference “ice gates” at various times. Just what is an “ice gate?” Best of luck the rest of the way!

Answer:

An ice gate is a line segment of latitude located between two point of longitude, south of which the Vendée Globe organization has determined, through the use of satellites, that there is danger of encountering drifting sea ice and a greater risk of colliding with the ice–and we don’t want to meet up with any icebergs. Each skipper is required to leave at least one of the end of the ice gate to starboard as he or she passes it. This means that at least one end of the ice gate must be left to the south of the boat.

Thanks for the question,

Rich