VDH downwind

Some respite for the bearded Frenchman in round the world westabout record bid

Day 46. Position at 1300: 50°02'S / 131°28'W
Wind 17 knots from ENE. Sea: slight.
Temperatures: day 11°C/ night 7°C / sea 8°C
Distance covered in the last 24 h.: 155 miles.
Distance to the antemeridian 1,871 miles.
Lead over Monnet: 9 days and 3 h.

Hi there,

The weather for Christmas seems quite clement. Yesterday, before nightfall the WSW winds, which were forcing me to head north, disappeared. Then, gradually, after the inevitable six hours of being becalmed, the wind got up nicely again from the east. That's great! And I'm sailing downwind!

It will gradually back to the north then NW, but all the miles I cover downwind in the direction I'm heading are something to be very grateful for.

I have got my Christmas decorations ready: garlands and baubles are hung around my Simrad counters. With the time difference (tomorrow, I'll be 9 hours behind French time), I'll be celebrating Christmas after you and will even be among the last people to take part in these festivities.

I've prepared a little video and some photos, but I'm having a bit of a problem getting the satellite up, and I haven't managed to make contact yet.

See you tomorrow,

JL VDH

A day with Patrick Durand's cuddly toy, a little mouse.