VDH and the Cape Verdes

Round the world sailor takes care to preserve sails

Day 9
Position at 1300: 20°10N / 22°13 W
25-knot easterly wind, choppy sea.
Day temperature: 32° / night 20° / sea 25°
Distance covered in the last 24H. 264 Miles. To Cape Horn 5134 Miles.
Lead over Monnet 1 day 3 Hours.

Hello

Since Friday evening, I have been making good progress with some nice trade winds. I’m still ahead of where I was before on my previous attempts, even where I was last year - which wasn’t that bad either.

I have however been very cautious sailing with the genoa, and I’ve put the spinnakers away in a safe place waiting for calmer days. I’m trying to head off as far west as I can, in order to be as well placed as possible to go through the Doldrums.

But for the moment my eyes are glued to the charts, as just ahead of me there are the Cape Verde Islands. Taking into account the wind, I’m going to have to go through the middle of the islands, probably to the east of Sao Nicolau and to the west of Fogo and Brava. Consequently, this evening I’ll be getting into the mood with some local music.

I picked up my first flying fish, which landed in my cockpit last night. I put it back in the water. I haven’t put out my line to catch any sea bream. We’re going a little too fast, and for the moment I’m taking advantage of the quiet life at sea!

Until tomorrow,

JL VDH

Weekend with LULU, the little Belgian giraffe.