Southern Ocean Scuffle–First Blood: Well, Cheyenne managed 485 miles toward Cape Horn in brutal conditions, but she got the crap kicked out of her while she was doing it. Next up in the firing line–following Guillermo Altadill’s drubbing at the wheel–was Nick Leggatt. With green water coming over the side, Leggatt was thrown face-first into the compass binnacle, opening up a nasty gash. Here’s Nick’s description:

“I was on watch, standing in my customary position in front of the wheel. Damian was on the helm, doing a good job in rather difficult conditions. We were reaching under double reefed main and solent, and getting a lot of green water over the boat as the wind and seas have picked up ahead of an approaching storm. One hour earlier Guillermo had been on the helm and after being hit by a huge wave he was left unable to breath for a few moments, in a crumpled heap on the deck aft of the wheel.

Since then we throttled back the speed as much as we could and were trying to keep it to under 25 knots to minimize the risk of damage but even then when the wave hit me it was a good solid one. There was not much I could do other than wait for the binnacle to use my head to stop me getting washed overboard.

The good news is that it was only my head that was damaged – so no vital organs to worry about there – and at least the cut is in the shape of another smile. Dr. Scully and Nurse Slattery did a great job of cleaning everything up and taping it all together, and then I was given a bit of bed rest to make sure that it didn’t all open up again and I wasn’t concussed. All ready for action once again.

Dave says that I must make sure I don’t get the wound wet and he is putting me on antibiotics. Not sure if he joking about not getting the wound wet in a Southern Ocean storm!”

It wasn’t all in vain, because Cheyenne’s lead over Orange 2002 is back up over 200 miles (chart here). But the stress of these conditions is starting to prey on the crew, and the approach to Cape Horn–2400 miles away– is looming. Rounding Cape Horn is one of the most dangerous points in the voyage, because boats are forced south to 57 degrees South, right into the heart of the Southern Ocean storm track. And if a massive storm just happens to arrive at the same time, well……

Back in the Atlantic, Geronimo notched up 488 miles, to give her a big lead over Orange 2002 and a small lead over the recent ghost of Cheyenne. De Kersauson and his crew have been going over the boat carefully to get ready for the Southern Ocean, and are crossing their fingers in the hopes that they don’t find any icebergs as they rocket south…



Lacerated Leggatt: “And I thought sailing was such a nice, easy sport….”

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