Four days on Monnet

Jean-Luc van den Heede - out of the Trades

Day 24. Position at 1300: 33°27’S / 48°42’W
Wind 16 knots from NW. Choppy sea.
Temperatures: day 23°C / night 15°C / sea 21°C
Distance covered in the last 24 hours: 233 miles.
To Cape Horn 1,566 miles.
Lead over Monnet: 3 days and 23 hours.

Hello

The monotony of the trade winds is well and truly over! Last night, with a strengthening wind, I had to take in a reef, then two, then come around, let go of the second reef and finally let everything out....I don’t have time to get bored! And now the wind has gone around and eased off.

Between two manoeuvres, I am able to get a good rest, especially as the temperature has once again become very pleasant. It’s over for being covered in sweat under an overcast sky. During the day, a pair of shorts and a T-shirt are just right. At night, however, I have to get some warmer clothes on.

Adrien is in fine form and we’re more than a day ahead of where we were last year (and two on the previous year). It’s encouraging to get some days’ advance now, as that will allow me to take my foot off the pedal in the deep depressions ahead of me after the forties, which I hope won’t be roaring too much!

See you tomorrow,

JL VDH

A day with the cuddly toy with the big ears from Melvin in Etel.