by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The day before the start of the Vendée Globe I saw Yann Eliès riding on his bike, standing on the pedals, with his young
Ship’s Log
12/27 0315utc 49/35S 119/47 W, staysail, 11.7 knots. Awaiting next gale, should arrive in 6 hours, expected severe, will go to storm jib beforehand. Well it was inevitable, the being
1105utc we are at 48/54S 115/53E, making 10 knots with staysail only, in 35-45 knots of wind, yet again. Distance covered last 24 hours: 216.6 nautical miles. Cannot in my memory
1125 utc 48/14s 110/29e, 8.2 knots under storm jib awaiting new low. Distance covered during last 24 hours: 264.1 nautical miles. Thought would be very careful tonight, 40 knots now, baro
1046z 47/06s 105/08e. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 264.1 nautical miles. Passed west Australia ice gate this morning. 45-50 knots of wind again, for duration, grib files are off by
0500z 46/07s 97/289e, 11.7 knots @ 085degT, 20 knots wind west. Distance covered in past 24 hours: 248.9 nautical miles. Gybed this morning between two weather systems, en route to Western Australia
1905 UTC, 45/54S 95/02E, 10.9 knots speed 25 knots wind WSW, 11007 nm on log, solent and 3 reefs in the main. Big seas today with winds 30/35/40. Same as last
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The turning mark in the Vendée Globe is Antarctica. We will not see this cold continent as we circumnavigate it, but we will be
46/30S 87/25E, 35-45knots wind, 3 reefs in mainsail, no jib, 11 knots speed at 055T. Distance covered the past 24 hours: 241.5 nautical miles. Hammered yet again, big seas breaking, barograph descended,
by Jan Witting, Faculty, Sea Education Association Rich is alone in an endless landscape of waves, traveling the world’s oceans with occasional sightings of seabirds, flying fish, and whales. For