Wind frees for VDH

Staying on a more northerly track compared to record holder Philippe Monnet

Hello,

The days follow one another but don't bear much resemblance! Yesterday was completely grey, cold, drizzly and windy. Yesterday evening the wind gradually weakened and I began to reset the solent then 2 reefs then full mainsail and a gentle wind abeam of 20/25 knots from the south pushed us along during the night at an average of 13 knots.

This morning even if the wind is heading a bit the conditions are superb with the sun taking pride of place. It is the first time in the Pacific that I have not been close hauled and have been able to maintain full mainsail for such a long time. I even got one of my three solar panels going again.

Talking of energy, Christian Pollet has given me a very simple idea for my wind generators: I now have a normal wind generator (up to 30/35 knots) and another for strong winds effective above 30 knots. How? Quite simply by removing 3 of the 6 blades which make it up. It's so simple but you had to think of it!

I haven't lost too much time on Philippe Monnet despite his descent into hell (65°S!) and as from tomorrow I should begin to gain again.

Until tomorrow
JL VDH

D +42 Position at 14H : 54°45’S 111°11’W (yesterday 54°21’S 104°32’W)
Wind SSW 23N. Temperature day 10°/ 5°C night /6°C water
Distance run in 24H: 234 naut miles (yesterday 179M) .
Advance on Monnet 4 days and 6 hours. Ante-meridian 2540 naut. miles away