The North Wind

25 January 2014

Fedor on the satphone: “All is well without any major changes. Tourgoyak continues to fly across the ocean driven by strong wind and the current. The ocean is loud and the waves are crowned with whitecaps. I crossed the 100th degree of the Western Longitude. I have 80 degrees more before leaving the western hemisphere and entering the eastern hemisphere. Today the wind has changed its direction and for the first time since the start it’s from the north-east. It will take some getting used to having the wind at the starboard. At this point I’m accustomed to the wind from south, south-east or simply from the east, so having it from the north is a bit unusual. My half way point lies in the 12°00′ S and 140°00′ W which is exactly between the Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago. I still have 2000 miles to go to reach this way point, but I’m already pre-occupied with how to approach these islands. Passing through them won’t be easy and I don’t have any room for mistakes.  Too far south and I will be thrown into a chain of islands and the atolls of the Tuamotus. On the other hand, too far north, closer to the equator, and I will be forced to maneuver amongst the Marquesas Islands. There is a narrow corridor between the two groups of islands and I must try to pass right through it without getting to close to the islands. To achieve safe passage I’ll have to pay close attention to any changes in the wind to adjust the course of my boat.  Thankfully, there is no lack of sun, which means my accumulators are fully charged, up to 13.5 volts.  This allows me to use the autopilot throughout the day. I’m grateful for another good and productive day on the ocean.”

The map of the Tourgoyak’s course: http://yb.tl/konyukhov2

The detailed map of the course: www.oceanrowing.com/Konyukhov/Pacific2013/dist_map.htm

Translated by Tatiana Koreski

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