News from the fleet:
Sterna
All good on Sterna. Saw tricolour last night. Not sure if c2r boat.
Argonaut
Solidly in the trades. Life is settling into a rhythm. 1300 miles to go.. daily routine revolves around spinnakers, food and cooling down techniques. Watermaker working overtime. Not much swimming or fishing happening.. this is a serious race boat don’t you know. Some properly interesting squall action last night for the two McDonald crew members on board. Off to hoist a kite.
Nyamazela
All good this side, just a sloooow day with light winds and more of that expected (eish).
Adventurerio 4
Adventure at high levels… Yesterday we sent a crew aloft to do some work. But we could never imagine that it wasn’t the last time… At 04:15 GMT our spinnaker embraced an unused halyard and wrapped itself tightly around. A perfect hourglass, and a tight one! All crew on deck!!! The Captain climbed the mast to unwrap the unwanted package. The seas weren’t big, but still enough to cause some wild gyrations up there, and at one time the Captain went 3 times around a diamond shroud! We were able to unwrap it, lower the spi on deck, reorganize and hoist it again. Great teamwork! So much adrenaline! We are still suffering from soft winds. Right now it’s 8-12 knots dead downwind. And the sailors know that light winds from dead astern are not a dream but a nightmare! Our crossing from Brazil to SA, cruising, was done at an average of 8.6 knots. We are suffering to keep our racing average above 8!!! Still +600nm do the finish line. Norhi has been sailing very fast, but we keep pushing as hard as possible. The bloody Captain never gives up!
Alexforbes ArchAngel
Things on bored are good we can’t wait to cross the finish line everyone really excited so working hard to get there and seems as if it’s getting hotter the closer we get to Rio but we coping.
Atalanta
today i shall be trimming.
Cool Ideas Nemesis
All good with all on board. Problem with the water maker but been working on it all day. Pump brushes done. Holding thumbs otherwise serious water rations.
Felix
Felix heads west. After the hard lesson of discovering a spinnaker requires both a port and starboard halyard to avoid chaffe and blowing, we are finally heading west on route to Rio. Miss C once again put his not so slight frame into a harness and went up the mast to rig up another halyard. Once on course, the crew decided that the skipper was dispensable and put him on the hot seat for a roasting. The air is now cleared. Autohelm on hold for now, as well as bake off. Conditions are so balmy that even the little meerkat has poked her head out of its burrow for some not on shift sun. The artist also made a brief appearance as safety officer for the climb up the mast, much to the relief of Miss C. 11 days to Rio on a fresh horse is the consensus view, but we shall sea. Till next time. Out
Ray of Light
This morning we were ghosting along, bright sunny skies, gentle breeze, azure blue water. Given that this race is hotting up, particularly our battle Audaz, our supporters back home and some on the boat have started a movement called stop fishing! But dadda! The water is 27.5deg, stunning for fishing. And we have belly strips in the fridge. Sean and I tied belly strips into the lures, smaller lures so as not to entice a Marlin. 20 mins later the reel was screaming. Francois on the rod this time. The boat was doing about 8 knots at the time of the take. We were pretty sure that it was not a Marlin this time, so decided to reel the fish in with the boat moving. Bow down to depower the kite a slow down a bit. After a couple of minutes we could see a lit up wahoo coming to the boat. Sean ready with the gaff. As he took the gaff shot, the gaff handle came off. Gaff in our wake, handle in Sean’s hand. The wahoo gave a violent head shake and shook the hook. We decided to drop the kite and go back for the gaff. Tam and Jen to the foredeck, looking up they exclaimed, the kite is wrapped! Darn! After trying to unwrap it from below failed, we sent Tammy up the mast to unwrap from the top. She did a great job and in a few minutes we had the kite on the deck. She shouted that the view from the top of the mast is amazing, but she could not see Audaz. Is that a good or bad thing? Once the kite was untangled and rehoisted we had mutiny on board. The anti fishing movement gaining support. I had to remind the crew that the boat has a plank (bow sprit) and that I subordination will not we tolerated. All settled down now, lures back in boat sailing and Sean is next up the mast should a similar incident occur. Gybed a few times this morning until the wind finally dictated that starboard gybe it is for the time being. Happy to consolidate our westing and close down a little leverage on the boats to the north. Bacon, eggs and beer bread for lunch, no wahoo steaks. With a string of sea mounts to the west of Ilha Trinidade I expect us to be on starboard for a while if the fisherman gets his way. Love it when the weather routing and fishing spots align. Just remember who is doing the routing. 🙂
THESE RESULTS ARE PREDICTED OR PROVISIONAL – 10/01/2023 14:00:00B
Line Honours:
| Pos | Name | Last update | DTF (NM) | Distance Sailed (NM) | VMG Recent (Knots) | Estimated finish time (SAST) | Elapsed time | Estimated finish time (SAST) corrected | Elapsed time corrected | Latest Position |
| 1 | Norhi | 18 Jan 14:00:01 | 520,9 | 3246,4 | 6,7 | 21 Jan 19:19:41 | 19d 5h 19m 41s | 21 Jan 19:19:41 | 19d 5h 19m 41s | 022° 00.174S, 033° 44.202W |
| 2 | Aventureiro 4 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 624,6 | 2962,1 | 6,4 | 22 Jan 15:52:27 | 20d 1h 52m 27s | 22 Jan 15:52:27 | 20d 1h 52m 27s | 022° 34.566S, 031° 47.394W |
| 3 | Atalanta | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 842,7 | 2771,1 | 5,8 | 24 Jan 14:32:58 | 22d 0h 32m 58s | 24 Jan 14:32:58 | 22d 0h 32m 58s | 021° 25.896S, 027° 59.352W |
| 4 | Ray of Light | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 926,2 | 2851,6 | 6,9 | 24 Jan 04:30:22 | 21d 14h 30m 22s | 24 Jan 04:30:22 | 21d 14h 30m 22s | 021° 58.998S, 026° 23.664W |
| 5 | Audaz II | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 976,4 | 2684,4 | 5,3 | 26 Jan 05:57:00 | 23d 15h 57m 0s | 26 Jan 05:57:00 | 23d 15h 57m 0s | 020° 11.608S, 025° 49.289W |
| 6 | Translated 9 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1004,6 | 2571,5 | 6,3 | 25 Jan 04:19:26 | 22d 14h 19m 26s | 25 Jan 04:19:26 | 22d 14h 19m 26s | 022° 54.828S, 024° 52.902W |
| 7 | Nemesis | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1259,2 | 2497,2 | 7,1 | 25 Jan 23:28:57 | 23d 9h 28m 57s | 25 Jan 23:28:57 | 23d 9h 28m 57s | 020° 04.842S, 020° 42.414W |
| 8 | Alexforbes ArchAngel | 18 Jan 14:00:07 | 1288,0 | 2341,8 | 6,0 | 27 Jan 11:12:28 | 24d 21h 12m 28s | 27 Jan 11:12:28 | 24d 21h 12m 28s | 021° 05.748S, 019° 58.926W |
| 9 | Argonaut | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1316,6 | 2508,5 | 7,2 | 26 Jan 03:51:06 | 23d 13h 51m 6s | 26 Jan 03:51:06 | 23d 13h 51m 6s | 019° 52.122S, 019° 42.858W |
| 10 | Sterna | 18 Jan 14:00:04 | 1364,8 | 2283,3 | 6,6 | 27 Jan 05:59:24 | 24d 15h 59m 24s | 27 Jan 05:59:24 | 24d 15h 59m 24s | 020° 46.476S, 018° 39.030W |
| 11 | Faros | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1508,7 | 2082,5 | 3,1 | 07 Feb 13:42:55 | 35d 23h 42m 55s | 07 Feb 13:42:55 | 35d 23h 42m 55s | 021° 21.768S, 015° 56.400W |
| 12 | Nyamazela | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1597,3 | 2055,8 | 6,0 | 29 Jan 15:23:55 | 27d 1h 23m 55s | 29 Jan 15:23:55 | 27d 1h 23m 55s | 020° 31.236S, 014° 29.436W |
| 13 | Felix | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1616,2 | 2058,0 | 3,1 | 09 Feb 11:19:26 | 37d 21h 19m 26s | 09 Feb 11:19:26 | 37d 21h 19m 26s | 020° 48.768S, 014° 05.430W |
| DHL Me2Me | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 2149,3 | 2050,1 | 0,4 | 30 Sep 16:06:18 | RETIRED – Retired from the race, heading to St Helena. | 016° 14.166S, 005° 37.128W | |||
| Tarini | 18 Jan 14:00:33 | 2148,9 | 1792,0 | 0,0 | 20 Jan 17:14:07 | RETIRED – Skipper retired 08/01 | 015° 55.536S, 005° 43.548W | |||
| The Impossible Machine | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 2148,9 | 1888,8 | 0,0 | 20 Jan 17:14:07 | RETIRED – 09/01 – skipper retired vessel | 015° 55.560S, 005° 43.578W |
IRC
| Pos | Name | Rating | Last update | DTF (NM) | Distance Sailed (NM) | VMG Recent (Knots) | Estimated finish time (SAST) | Elapsed time | Estimated finish time (SAST) corrected | Elapsed time corrected | Latest Position |
| 1 | Atalanta | 1,007 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 842,7 | 2771,1 | 5,8 | 24 Jan 14:32:58 | 22d 0h 32m 58s | 24 Jan 18:14:57 | 22d 4h 14m 57s | 021° 25.896S, 027° 59.352W |
| 2 | Ray of Light | 1,118 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 926,2 | 2851,6 | 6,9 | 24 Jan 04:30:22 | 21d 14h 30m 22s | 26 Jan 17:41:23 | 24d 3h 41m 23s | 021° 58.998S, 026° 23.664W |
| 3 | Alexforbes ArchAngel | 0,997 | 18 Jan 14:00:07 | 1288,0 | 2341,8 | 6,0 | 27 Jan 11:12:28 | 24d 21h 12m 28s | 27 Jan 09:24:58 | 24d 19h 24m 58s | 021° 05.748S, 019° 58.926W |
| 4 | Argonaut | 1,055 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1316,6 | 2508,5 | 7,2 | 26 Jan 03:51:06 | 23d 13h 51m 6s | 27 Jan 10:58:25 | 24d 20h 58m 25s | 019° 52.122S, 019° 42.858W |
| 5 | Nemesis | 1,081 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1259,2 | 2497,2 | 7,1 | 25 Jan 23:28:57 | 23d 9h 28m 57s | 27 Jan 20:57:45 | 25d 6h 57m 45s | 020° 04.842S, 020° 42.414W |
| 6 | Translated 9 | 1,134 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1004,6 | 2571,5 | 6,3 | 25 Jan 04:19:26 | 22d 14h 19m 26s | 28 Jan 04:59:43 | 25d 14h 59m 43s | 022° 54.828S, 024° 52.902W |
| 7 | Nyamazela | 0,948 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1597,3 | 2055,8 | 6,0 | 29 Jan 15:23:55 | 27d 1h 23m 55s | 28 Jan 05:37:48 | 25d 15h 37m 48s | 020° 31.236S, 014° 29.436W |
| 8 | Sterna | 1,071 | 18 Jan 14:00:04 | 1364,8 | 2283,3 | 6,6 | 27 Jan 05:59:24 | 24d 15h 59m 24s | 29 Jan 00:01:17 | 26d 10h 1m 17s | 020° 46.476S, 018° 39.030W |
| 9 | Audaz II | 1,126 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 976,4 | 2684,4 | 5,3 | 26 Jan 05:57:00 | 23d 15h 57m 0s | 29 Jan 05:30:42 | 26d 15h 30m 42s | 020° 11.608S, 025° 49.289W |
| 10 | Felix | 0,932 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1616,2 | 2058,0 | 3,1 | 09 Feb 11:19:26 | 37d 21h 19m 26s | 06 Feb 21:29:24 | 35d 7h 29m 24s | 020° 48.768S, 014° 05.430W |
MOCRA
| Pos | Name | Rating | Last update | DTF (NM) | Distance Sailed (NM) | VMG Recent (Knots) | Estimated finish time (SAST) | Elapsed time | Estimated finish time (SAST) corrected | Elapsed time corrected | Latest Position |
| 1 | Norhi | 1,136 | 18 Jan 14:00:01 | 520,9 | 3246,4 | 6,7 | 21 Jan 19:19:41 | 19d 5h 19m 41s | 24 Jan 10:04:07 | 21d 20h 4m 7s | 022° 00.174S, 033° 44.202W |
| 2 | Aventureiro 4 | 1,178 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 624,6 | 2962,1 | 6,4 | 22 Jan 15:52:27 | 20d 1h 52m 27s | 26 Jan 05:38:52 | 23d 15h 38m 52s | 022° 34.566S, 031° 47.394W |
ORC
| Pos | Name | Rating | Last update | DTF (NM) | Distance Sailed (NM) | VMG Recent (Knots) | Estimated finish time (SAST) | Elapsed time | Estimated finish time (SAST) corrected | Elapsed time corrected | Latest Position |
| 1 | Atalanta | 1,107 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 842,7 | 2771,1 | 5,8 | 24 Jan 14:32:58 | 22d 0h 32m 58s | 26 Jan 22:50:24 | 24d 8h 50m 24s | 021° 25.896S, 027° 59.352W |
| 2 | Ray of Light | 1,211 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 926,2 | 2851,6 | 6,9 | 24 Jan 04:30:22 | 21d 14h 30m 22s | 28 Jan 17:51:33 | 26d 3h 51m 33s | 021° 58.998S, 026° 23.664W |
| 3 | Alexforbes ArchAngel | 1,063 | 18 Jan 14:00:07 | 1288,0 | 2341,8 | 6,0 | 27 Jan 11:12:28 | 24d 21h 12m 28s | 29 Jan 00:53:30 | 26d 10h 53m 30s | 021° 05.748S, 019° 58.926W |
| 4 | Argonaut | 1,152 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1316,6 | 2508,5 | 7,2 | 26 Jan 03:51:06 | 23d 13h 51m 6s | 29 Jan 17:51:40 | 27d 3h 51m 40s | 019° 52.122S, 019° 42.858W |
| 5 | Nyamazela | 1,012 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1597,3 | 2055,8 | 6,0 | 29 Jan 15:23:55 | 27d 1h 23m 55s | 29 Jan 22:59:48 | 27d 8h 59m 48s | 020° 31.236S, 014° 29.436W |
| 6 | Nemesis | 1,178 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1259,2 | 2497,2 | 7,1 | 25 Jan 23:28:57 | 23d 9h 28m 57s | 30 Jan 03:25:35 | 27d 13h 25m 35s | 020° 04.842S, 020° 42.414W |
| 7 | Sterna | 1,172 | 18 Jan 14:00:04 | 1364,8 | 2283,3 | 6,6 | 27 Jan 05:59:24 | 24d 15h 59m 24s | 31 Jan 11:41:38 | 28d 21h 41m 38s | 020° 46.476S, 018° 39.030W |
| 8 | Faros | 1,043 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 1508,7 | 2082,5 | 3,1 | 07 Feb 13:42:55 | 35d 23h 42m 55s | 09 Feb 02:30:34 | 37d 12h 30m 34s | 021° 21.768S, 015° 56.400W |
| 9 | Felix | 1,012 | 18 Jan 14:00:06 | 1616,2 | 2058,0 | 3,1 | 09 Feb 11:19:26 | 37d 21h 19m 26s | 09 Feb 22:30:31 | 38d 8h 30m 31s | 020° 48.768S, 014° 05.430W |
| DHL Me2Me | 1,092 | 18 Jan 14:00:05 | 2149,3 | 2050,1 | 0,4 | 30 Sep 16:06:18 | RETIRED – Retired from the race, heading to St Helena. | 016° 14.166S, 005° 37.128W |
