March 1, 2009 – We came across the equator into the northeast trade winds, which are the southeastern quadrant of a high pressure system sitting variously in the mid-Atlantic. All the
Ship’s Log
by Scott Hamilton, Investment Advisor, Explorer When an expedition comes to an end, I don’t really miss much except for my comrades. There is a huge sense of relief when I
Heading north by a little west, trying to get to the high, to then get to other side for favorable westerlies. Sailing with staysail and three reefs in the mainsail. We
Reduced sail as seas and winds picked up a bit: solent to staysail to storm jib, one reef to two reefs to three reefs with 35 knots of wind now
1823 UTC, 32/26N 41/47W, 5.1 knots, @319T, solent and full main, broad reaching. Difficult 24 hours. As we weren’t making much progress, at 1-2 knots, thought best to try to
1711 UTC, 31/16N 41/16W, 2.5 knots, @315T. Heading away from France, trying to cross the high pressure ridge. After that, you have to look at the weather maps to see
2024 UTC, 28/33N 40/34W, 10.1 knots, 336 degrees. Weather patterns are not promising. As soon as we get to the high to wrap around, it dissipates, and a huge high
1830 UTC, 24/45N 39/24W , 9.1 knots, @3450T, staysail, 2 reefs in mainsail, hard on the wind, as always. Sadly, forecasts look even more difficult, as the high that we
by Lorraine Leo , Technology Teacher, Newton, Massachusetts Rich entered the Vendée Globe race in part for the challenge of the race, but mainly for the opportunity to create an
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III For Michel Desjoyeaux, success in the Vendée Globe is winning the race, which he has just done for the second time with an extraordinary