Comments from weather router Lee Bruce: <\/p>\n
\u201cFedor was wondering if he should@@apos@@ve sailed farther south a few days ago.\u00a0 The chart for 24 Apr 18Z suggests that he would@@apos@@ve been in a very tough position, had he started out farther south in\u00a0this northerly gale.\u00a0 The north wind extends for more than 1800nm, from 30S to 58S!\u00a0 So there was no option to escape it–only\u00a0to try to limit its effect.<\/p>\n
Fedor has been sailing about as fast as he has at any time since he left Albany, but my guess is that he@@apos@@s actually trying to slow the boat down, to limit the southing.\u00a0And although he@@apos@@d like to sail more easterly, he@@apos@@s limited by the wave action.\u00a0 It@@apos@@s a fine balance between protecting the boat and aiming for the finish.<\/p>\n
Once the north wind moves through, conditions will become variable, and then there will be a risk of 40kt gust 50kt SW wind. Fedor\u00a0is amazingly resilient, but my guess is that even he will be very glad when this is over!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fedor\u2019s speed in the relentless N wind has driven him well south, and he may push toward 51S before the wind shifts. <\/p>\n
\u00a025\/00Z: N 40-45kt gust 50<\/p>\n
25\/12: NNW 30-35<\/p>\n
25\/18: variable NW to NE to SE 15; low\/front nearby<\/p>\n
26\/00: NE 15kt<\/p>\n
26\/06: NNE to NNW 20-25<\/p>\n
26\/12: NW 15<\/p>\n
26\/18: W 30-35<\/p>\n
27\/00: WNW 25<\/p>\n
Fedor\u2019s shore team report: <\/p>\n
Condition are tough and Fedor is doing his best to limit southing. His main concern is the boat\u00a0 which is under enormous stress from massive swells that are crashing over\u00a0 the stern threatening rudder tillers and all antennas (GPS, Sat-C, Iridium and etc) <\/p>\n
His tactic is to sail with the wind and waves. Slowing the boat down is not the best option. Instead he is trying to keep the boat on a \u2018safe\u2019 angle to the waves, while at the same time, maintain some easterly heading and at the same time try to maintain eastern heading <\/p>\n
Fedor has been living on tea and coffee without sleep for the past 24 The autopilots are working at their limit and he has to change them over every hour. We asked Fedor what he wish for at these circumstances, expecting to hear: better weather, fresh food or less cold. Instead, he said \u201cone more person on board. I like it out here, but sometimes it is very hard to rely only on just yourself while keeping everything working and making decisions. It would be nice to share a cup of tea and a chat with someone else. We could push the boat and enjoy every aspects of the weather even these 50 knot Northerly winds. Perhaps next time!\u201d <\/p>\n
Regards, Fedor.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Position: 50,0.53S ,\u00a083,27.25E
Speed: 10 knots, Course: 112 deg.
UTC Time: 25. April 2008 14:24
wind 25-30 kt N\u00a0– FEDOR OK\u00a0<\/p>\n
Distance traveled to date 14,350 nautical miles. <\/p>\n
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