Meanwhile……: Francis Joyon, sailing the right way around and in a fast trimaran, is just 60 days in and already climbing back up the Atlantic toward home. He should hit the Equator in a few days, if he can just free himself from the light winds that have plagued him as he struggles past the “bulge of Brazil” off Recife. This is the first real weather difficulty Joyon has experienced, and it has resulted in the smallest 24 hour run of his voyage: just 130 miles. Even so, the forecast shows the wind filling in from the east, allowing Joyon a fast ride to The Line, where the Doldrums are currently looking eminently passable. Joyon, despite his current frustration, is in the same situation as VDH: if he can just keep his boat and sails from falling apart he will be a new world record holder. In fact, unless Joyon hits some serious potholes, his solo voyage is going to be very hard to beat. Why? He has been unbelievably lucky with the weather, frequently encountering fair winds where foul winds are usually found. If this keeps up, Joyon should step off his boat in France and immediately go play the lottery…..



Close Encounter: For God’s sake, Francis, don’t hit a damn whale now….