Between Newport and us sits a high-pressure system that the fleet must cross. Since catching the new wind, we haven’t stopped gaining miles on the leaders and the feeling onboard is great. “Stay focus, stay fast” – these are the words of the British Rob Greenhalgh after receiving the position report.
It’s straight line sailing with the wind rolling from behind. We went from sailing upwind to a TWA [true wind angle] of 125. We moved from the FR0 to the J1 and progressively to the MH0.
Yesterday’s waves were interesting; not a great sea state for those who get seasick. By chance I’ve been so many days at sea by now that it didn’t affect me.
Dry but in the best “up and down” fashion, we’re sailing up the North American coast. The days are getting shorter and the nights are quickly getting longer. The temperature drops at night, getting us to miss the dark but warm Caribbean nights. After sailing across the South Pacific I don’t really want the cold anymore. It’s not necessary when you have the wonderful Caribbean latitudes to sail in. The truth is, Volvo should organise the “Volvo Caribbean Race”.
Our spirits are high and we’re looking forward to this leg’s closing day. Just like a kid with his toys, a castle in the sand and the patience and care to make it perfect and wait for the moment to put the flag in the highest tower, to play with it later.
We’ve got “Brunel”, one of the three leading boats, on AIS now. The team is very happy, recovering step by step from our knock down.
Stay Focus, Stay Fast “MAPFRE”.
#vamosMAPFRE
Fran
