Sailing Update III–VDH in the Southern Hemisphere : “Wrong Way” VDH’s GPS went from positive latitude to negative latitude last Friday, as he crossed the Equator, the first big milestone in any around the world voyage. The next part of the trip involves sailing south along the coast of South America, toward the dreaded Cape Horn. Once VDH gets there, the sh*t starts hitting the fan, as he has to pound his way west, into the teeth of Southern Ocean gales that can blow 60-knots plus. Oh yeah, and the temperature will be in the 30s. Can you say “MASOCHIST.” Anyhow, for the moment VDH is enjoying warm trade wind weather, and Cape Horn is a long, long way ahead. He’s 16 days in and almost two days ahead of the existing record. Here’s his latest report:

“Since crossing the Equator at 11 minutes past 5 CET on Friday night, everything has been going well!

I have picked up the fine SE trade winds. With my ballast tanks filled with 3 tonnes of water, I should manage at least 250 miles per day without any problem, especially when the wind gradually comes around to the East. For the time being, I am sailing upwind but not too close-hauled, with the solent and the mainsail raised.

I have carried out some minor repairs. I managed to find the tiny fuel leak in the portside Volvo engine. It was just a screw, (which had worked loose because of the vibrations, I suppose) that needed tightening up a bit. Then, I patched up the mainsail, where it had been rubbing on the reefing point.

I’m keeping an eye on anything that rubs and frays all the time. Last night wasn’t the quietest of nights, as I was sailing along with a cargo ship on either side of me, and they were both on the same course as me and were hardly making any faster headway. I had them within sight for a large part of the night. Now they have moved off and I’m going to have a little nap!”

Mmm, nap. That sounds good……

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