From 24 of February maxi yacht “Trading Network Alye Parusa” is riding third powerful storm in the Southern Pacific. According to the forecast from Lee Bruce:
“25/00Z: WSW 45-50kt gust 60
25/06: SW 40-50”
Fedor in his Sat-C messages also reporting wind up to 60 knots:
“Position: 54,0.86S , 137,12.24W
Speed: 15 knots, Course: 110 deg.
UTC Time: 25. February| 2008 00:56
wind 50-60 kt W S W
FEDOR”
Quote from Fedor:
“During my previous circumnavigations in Southern Pacific – this vast Ocean was always kind to me and I was hoping we get smooth run this time, but it seems Pacific would like to prove that he can be violent and “un-pacific”. We are riding from one storm into another with only 24 hours pause. Even during these 24 hours – you can’t rest as with 20 knots of wind you have to negotiate 10 meters swell – leftovers from previous Low. In these conditions you simply can not work with the sail properly and when at last sea state become cooperative – we get another powerful turbulence.
Riding current storm, I look into 7 days forecast that suggested massive Low going across our heading from N-W to S-E by 01 of March. There are not many options left for us to negotiate new Low. By that time I hope to be 1.000 miles to Cape Horn and my only choice will be to head into Drake Passage – regardless the weather.
Right now we have 2.000 miles to Cape Horn.
Regards, Fedor”