Brisk conditions for VDH

As Adrien crashes through the Southern Ocean

Hello,

Yesterday it was a question of hesitating between 1 or 2 reefs; today it is a question between solent and staysail!

Adrien's sail configurations are (beating in true wind):

- up to 13 knots Amiens town genoa + mainsail
- up to 18 knots Adrien solent + mainsail
- up to 25 knots Adrien solent + 1 reef in the mainsail
- up to 32 knots Adrien solent + 2 reefs in the mainsail
- up to 45 knots Celerant staysail + 2 reefs in the mainsail.

Over 45 knots a third reef and staysail then over 55/60 knots... I improvise as I did after Cape Horn!

As the wind keeps varying between 30 and 40 knots, I have changed between staysail and solent several times. A sailing friend told me over the Internet how he makes beginners understand what it is like to work on deck in 60 knots of wind; he says to them: "Imagine that you are in heavy rain in a car travelling at 60 mph on a very bumpy road. Working on deck means going out onto the bonnet to fold up a sheet all by yourself!"

I found it quite funny and when I go onto the foredeck to furl my staysail, I think of it... but I keep a good hold... on the windscreen wipers!
Until tomorrow
JL VDH

D+46. Position at 14 H: 52°18’S / 128°47’W
Wind 30N. de W. Temperature day 12°C/night 6°C/water 6,5°C
Distance run in 24H : 155 naut miles.
Advance on Monnet 7 days and 6 hours. Distance to Ante méridien : 1937 naut. miles.