All well here aboard Cheyenne on our Jules Verne record attempt. We’ve had another day of trade wind sailing, but very different to yesterday. Today there has been an almost constant stream of weak squalls in comparison to the clearer skies yesterday. We have been playing these squalls, staying on the leading edge of them and using our speed to slide around their leading edges, and not falling into the light airs just underneath and behind them. It’s been an interesting exercise and one that you need a fast boat for – your boat speed needs to be greater than their movement to pull it off consistently.

Up ahead we are looking at the constantly evolving forecasts for our imminent rounding of the South Atlantic High, and things are looking up. A few days ago we were forecast to park up for two days but now it appears that we will hold 10 knots of wind in the critical section where we are closest to the high and running downwind past the western side.

Today we passed 100 miles to the west of Isle de Trinidade, a tiny Brazilian island inhabited by their navy. As we passed by its latitude we started to see a number of terns. Our photographer and resident poet Nick Leggatt from South Africa recognized these as sooty terns, also called wide awake birds due to the squeaks they make as they follow ships at night. Added to Nick’s other titles should be that of ship’s naturalist.

We are enjoying the last few days of warm weather till we hit the south, water is in scarce supply as everyone takes the opportunity to wash their clothes and themselves.

Brian

Report courtesy of brianthompsonsailing.com.