Final countdown

1,600 miles to go for Jean-Luc van den Heede

Day 116.
Position at 1300: 28°25'N / 27°44'W
Wind 15 knots from ENE. Moderate sea.
Temperatures: day 26°C / night 16°C / sea 20°C
Distance covered in the last 24 hours: 256 miles.
To the finish 1,600 miles.
Lead over Monnet: 26 days and 4 hours.

Hello

I reached the latitude of the Canaries and had a look at the weather. I decided not to take the long way and go as initially planned via 41N/26W. The distance given is therefore the direct distance (as the crow flies) to the finishing line to the north of Ushant.

Yet a few more miles gained over my predecessor. The wind dropped off a bit last night and didn't get above 10 knots, but fortunately, upwind, I can still make good headway with such a light wind. Everything returned to normal at sunrise. The sun has come out from behind the clouds. It's heating up some water for my shower this evening. The really big difference in comparison to yesterday is the heavy swell from the NW, probably resulting from the low-pressure areas, which are passing to the north.

I'm taking as much advantage as possible from my trade winds before hitting some cooler climes. The ETA seems to be getting clearer, for Tuesday or Wednesday for the finishing line and therefore, for Thursday or Friday for my return to Les Sables d'Olonne.

See you tomorrow,

JL VDH

A day with the Nounours cuddly toy from Aurélien and Tiphaine in Saint Agathon.