Hitting the wall

News

February 19. 2009 at 09:18
© NORBERT SEDLACEK / NAUTICSPORT KAPSCH / Vendée Globe

Arnaud Boissières is north of the latitude of the finish now and still climbing as he looks for the best route through the wall of light winds which protects the Bay of Biscay at the moment.

His speeds have slowed now from around 11 knots during the night to about seven as he heads on a course towards Brest. He is coming under the influence of lighter winds now and should start to see 5-10 knots NE’lies though the breeze does seem very unsettled. Akena Vérandas has less than 450 miles to sail now.

Steve White was more than 100 miles north of the Azores now, after passing about 12 miles off Flores yesterday evening about 2000hrs. His speeds have been consistently in the region of 12-13 knots. White has lost miles to Calli over the last few days but should regain some over the next couple of days while he still maintains good winds.

Rich Wilson is in ENE’ly trade winds of 15-20 knots and has at least another 700 miles of the same conditions. Wilson has been making 10.3 knots early this morning.

Raphael Dinelli is 150 miles offshore of Recife making 6-9knots and has 500 miles to the Equator, while 530 miles behind him  Norbert Sedlacek has been consistently around 10 knots boat speed all night.