Solidaire on a flyer

As Around Alone fleet tackles Southern Ocean

Graham Dalton reports from on board Hexagon

It has been a long cold night, but Hexagon has sailed hard and I am pleased with our position at the moment.

We are heading in a south-easterly direction, in about 25 to 30 knots of breeze and Hexagon is making a healthy 15 knots over the ground. I have spent a lot of time studying the weather and have decided that I need to keep heading south to stay in the best wind.

Over the next couple of days I think we may see a clear split in the fleet, in particular when we approach the French owned ‘Isles Crozet’. Skippers will need to choose to sail to the north or the south of these islands. Those that choose to sail north will experience quite different conditions to those that pass to the south.

After we have passed these islands we will then have to choose to sail to the north or south of the Kerguelen Islands. Sailing further south should keep the boat following the great circle route to New Zealand and in an area where there is plenty of wind. However, the conditions may become severe and the risk of sailing through iceberg territory grows the further south you travel. The skippers that choose the more northerly route will take a gamble on safer conditions, but the outcome may be less wind.

I am hoping not to see any ice on this leg of the race. However, tomorrow I will set up my radar so that any objects within a certain radius of Hexagon will set off an alarm and alert me to get on deck and keep my eyes peeled. The radar is an invaluable tool, but is not guaranteed to pick up everything; as its effectiveness is very dependent on the conditions To sail through an area where there is ice is a gamble.

Last night was long and cold. Hexagon was hit by one of the frequent squalls; she crash gybed and was pinned down in the water. I had to go on deck in the pitch dark and furl the headsail, which was a difficult job to perform whilst watching the tip of the mast hovering over the water. I eventually got the sail furled and Hexagon upright and on her way again This morning I had to go on deck and sort out the mess. In the middle of the night it is very hard to do anything on the boat and so sometimes you have to get by until there is light in the morning when you can see to do the job properly.

It is cold at the moment but not too bad. This afternoon I have been on deck, in my barefeet, which was not unbearable, handsteering Hexagon. I am starting to feel a little better from my illness but am still very weak and find the physical work around the boat tires me quickly. I am trying to feed myself up and get as much strength back as soon as possible. I know I am going to need it over the next couple of weeks.

Fair winds



Graham