Heading south again

Relatively slow progress for Banque Populaire to the south of Australia

Chart above courtesy of Expedition/Tasman Bay Navigation Systems and PredictWind

To the south of Australia, at around midnight UTC last night as the wind started backing into the west, so Banque Populaire gybed back to the southeast. Relatively down-speed (ie only 25 knots) yesterday so the maxi tri's advantage over Jules Verne Trophy record holder Groupama 3 has dropped back from 2364 miles at 0400 yesterday to 2051 at the latest sched. This is also due to the boat experiencing a relatively short sea that has required them to ease off the gas. However since midnight, so Banque Pop is back onto the favourable gybe and the numbers should start turning in her favour again. 

Weather-wise all is looking reasonable for the next 48 hours, with the maxi-tri continuing in favourable northwesterlies, although a lobe of high pressure is extending southeast from Tasmania and she will have to stay south of this. A tricky bit is coming up on Tuesday though when the forecast shows an area of no wind developing for a few hours to the south of New Zealand. However this void is quickly filled by the south side of a depression centred in the Tasman Sea. But ultimately the maxi-tri's progress into the Pacific is looking good, once again in favourable northwesterlies.