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16 March 2013

Race Report – Day 10

As the fleet approach Recife, the first part of the record attempt is nearly done. Soldini Maserati took 10.5 days for the 3700nm North Atlantic leg. With our leaders less than 350nm from the easternmost point of South America, we will have kept track with the record holder.

The last week has been difficult for the fleet. Most boats were positioned east of the rhumb line to take advantage of the trade winds. However, there was a ridge of light winds in the way. This ridge grew much broader than earlier forecasts and blocked the way. It also moved SE at a similar speed to the fleet. Each forecast indicated a better way to go, resulting in boats zig-zagging across the Atlantic trying to find a way through. The boats were trapped for several days.

Whilst these boats foundered, those that had kept close to the Caribbean Islands were relatively unaffected by the ridge and overtook the fleet. They kept good speed and turned a large deficit into a sound lead.

When the ridge eventually released the bulk of the fleet, they were several hundred miles behind the leaders. However, they do have wind direction advantage and regain some of those lost miles. The leaders are now hugging the coast, trying to squeeze around the corner.

We now look ahead to the South Atlantic. One benefit of the large ridge is that the doldrums are weak. It looks like they will not slow the fleet. The St Helena high is not well established and many depressions are crossing at mid latitudes. This results in a complex weather situation. Routing will be difficult and the weather subject to change. This may help the chasing boats as passing lanes could open up. Cape Horn looks far away!
/NZL_Scotsman
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