Joyon experiences 50 knots

Alone on a 90ft trimaran, but making great progress to the Canaries

At 1000 day four: 30deg 36.68N 13deg 32.52W.
Distance travelled: 1237.59 miles
Average speed and course: 17.93 knots 215deg.

Approaching the Canaries Francis Joyon took the opportunity of a lull in the proceedings to report on his fraught fourth night at sea. Last night saw his 90ft trimaran IDEC feel the brunt of 50 knot storm force winds.

"It is stronger than was forecast," said Joyon. "But I don't have too much concern. There was one hairy moment when the crest of a wave struck the boat on the windward side causing her to slew sideways."

It should be remembered that in these conditions Joyon is trying to manage a 90ft long trimaran complete with a rotating wingmast singlehanded, on his own.

Now that conditions have abated Joyon has once again hoisted the mainsail and put up the genniker. However there is still an awkward left over sea running and these typically are conditions when multihulls can flip.

At lunchtime today the Canaries were still 60 miles away but Joyon felt he was making good progress. During the Vendee Globe it took Michel Desjoyeaux six days to reach the Canaries (although this was in an Open 60 and Desjoyeaux wasn't able to choose the optimum weather conditions in which to leave). Even this same boat as Sport Elec during her Jules Verne Trophy attempt took five days to reach the Canaries and this was when she was fully crewed.

While the wind has been resolutely from the north, over the course of today it is forecast to veer around to the northeast. Tomorrow should see Joyon and IDEC reach the Trades.