Heading for the South

Roman Paszke and the crew of Bank BPH dive into the Southern Ocean

Position at 08.30GMT: 45deg 52.247S 002deg12.503E
COG/SOG: 115deg/13 knots
TWD/TWS: 220deg/21-25 knots
Pressure: 1016mb
Wave height: <2m
24 hour run: 278 nm
Distance from start: 6523nm

The 24 hours have seen Roman Paszke and his Polish crew on board Bank BPH cross the Greenwich meridian as they continue their descent into the Roaring Forties. With a relatively modest run over the last 24 hours, yesterday morning they set their personal speed record having covered 342 miles.

"The atmospheric pressure has fallen dramatically as has the air temperature," wrote Robert Zanecki from on board. "There is vapor coming off the water creating fog. All this is caused by a frontal system which is overtaking us. Caps and gloves are now mandatory equipment for each watch. The weather for the next few days looks promising though. After the front passes, we will be sailing 100-120 degrees off the wind, after which we will sail with the wind again as we have been doing recently. Our only worry is about the reports of icebergs below the 44th parallel south. Our optimal course according to the wind and the circumnavigational course unfortunately takes us there. We have also begun to use the heater in the yacht. Keep your fingers crossed for us."