Getting past Recife

Joyon stalled to the south of the bulge of Brazil

Position at 09:30: 10deg 28.00S 34deg 05.00W
Distance from start: 22947.02 nautical miles
Speed/course: 7.79 knots/055°

Francis Joyon has been making slow progress over the last day as in the light winds to the south of Recife he has been attempting to make headway getting around the 'bulge in Brazil'. In slightly less than 24 hours he has covered a mere 188 miles. This morning at the above figure shows he was sailing at a, in 90ft trimaran terms, highly pedestrian 7.79 knots.

Currently northeast of his position from yesterday morning it looks certain that Joyon tacked sometime yesterday and if the forecast is correct it looks like he will tack back shortly. He is now into the prevailing northeasterly winds, but these look set to veer to the east later this afternoon. This will allow Joyon to get back on course and will provide him close reaching conditions up to the Equator.

It will be interesting to see what progress he makes as the gradient wind forecast is only 10 knots.

Yesterday Joyon commented that he reckoned he would be crossing the Doldrums at 30-31degW on 22 January (Thursday).