Today a sat session between Russian Polar Station “Novolazarevskaya” in Antarctica and Russian yacht “Trading Network Alye Parusa” sailing Antarctica Cup Race Track was arranged. Fedor Konyukhov received a phone call from Vice-Premier Minister of Russian – Mr. Sergey Ivanov who is currently visiting Antarctica with the mission to check polar stations for winter season and also testing GLONASS satellite position system (A Russian version of GPS). Fedor informed Mr. Ivanov about Antarctica Cup main highlights and that he is 200 miles west of Cape Horn. Minister wished him best of luck, safe journey and proposed to have an official meeting in Moscow in May 2008.
Meanwhile Fedor reported that he is experiencing “typical” Cape Horn weather. “All is well on board my good ship, not counting damaged main sail. The wind is gusty from 25 to 40 knots, with snow charges. Hard to trim the sails, but we are getting there and I am happy with what we get so far – I remember much worsen conditions for my previous rounding. The visibility is bad and this is my major concern. I have Radar set for 6 miles Alarm zone – it seems it is the best range for my Furuno unit. With the boat diving in between the swell the radar is sending false Alarm and each time it is like a cold shower – I am jumping on deck if it is a day light or zooming in on the screen if it is night time. So far – plenty of alarms or false alarms but I can not confirm any iceberg visually. Frankly speaking I can define the border between ocean and sky – it all looks like one grey blanket. I hate to say it being Russian but we are playing a Russian roulette here.
I can feel that the boat is also getting ready to see Cape Horn, she is now well balanced and handles easy – we both focused. The tension is rising. It is like we are getting ready for the fight, your adrenalin is getting high: Cape Horn ahead. The plan is still to leave Diego Ramirez to port. Regards, Fedor”.