Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Alexandra Shackleton gets some respite from heavy weather

by Biarta Parnham 28 Jan 2013 17:23 AEDT 28 January 2013

What a difference a day makes...

Crew take a breather on deck to 'dry out' as winds abate on Day Four of the Shackleton Epic Expedition

After four days at sea, and taking a true 'Southern Ocean battering' during the past 48 hours, the six man crew of the Alexandra Shackleton have emerged on deck, exhausted but happy to have sunshine and dry out their clothes, sleeping bags and themselves.

The past two days have seen the Alexandra Shackleton, a 22.5' replica of the James Caird, battle 7 metre swells and winds gusting over 50 knots from the south. At one point the little boat hit a top speed of 7 knots – but she's now settled back to a more steady 2 knot average speed in the comparatively lighter conditions with 15 knots of wind.

Since the expedition began on 23 January (GMT) when the crew departed from Elephant Island bound for South Georgia, they have covered 284 nautical miles and chalked up 55 nautical miles in the past 24 hours.

The expedition support vessel Australis reports that the crew look well and happy and that they have now fixed their radio and the AIS radar tracker which became waterlogged during the two day storm. Seen on deck and surrounded by their clothes and bedding, the crew were smiling but not very talkative as they recovered from their ordeal. "Well... it wasn't much of an Australia Day," Tim Jarvis, expedition leader said.

"As we were swapping duties on the watch in the middle of the night I extended my arm to Paul (fellow Aussie navigator Paul Larsen), shook his hand and said 'Happy Australia Day mate'. That was our official celebration - the best we could do under the circumstances," the veteran of multiple polar expeditions said.

But the crew's weather respite may be short-lived. The wind is forecast to turn to come directly out of the north which will slow their progress considerably and make conditions on board the cramped boat extremely uncomfortable – once again.

Shackleton's crew took 14 days to make the 800 nautical mile crossing and currently the Alexandra Shackleton is on track to at least equal this time. Eerily, they seem to be experiencing the same conditions, at a similar time in their journey as Shackleton did almost 100 years before.

www.shackletonepic.com

Related Articles

Introducing Ocean Legend
Vaikobi's range of lifestyle clothing Introducing Ocean Legend; Vaikobi's range of lifestyle clothing inspired by the stoke and the stories of those who live and breathe ocean sports. Posted today at 4:37 am
WASZP brings the heat at Foiling Week 2025
Four epic days of classic Ora conditions Malcesine turned it on once again for Foiling Week, with four epic days of classic Ora conditions and a record 131 WASZPs hitting the start line - the biggest WASZP fleet ever at the event! Posted today at 4:11 am
Aussies Break into Top 10 at Kieler Woche
Put to the test from light air to heavy breeze The first half of Kieler Woche has wrapped up in Germany, with Australian sailors putting themselves to the test in five Olympic classes. Kiel delivered a complete spectrum of conditions for athletes to sharpen their racing skills. Posted today at 4:03 am
31st Block Island Race Week Day 3
Soaring temperatures on Risk Strategies Race Day Risk Strategies Race Day at Block Island Race Week featured another day of champagne conditions and soaring temperatures. To give sailors a brief reprieve, the Race Committee called for an "early" end to racing (only 2 long races instead of 3). Posted on 25 Jun
Can a maxi achieve the Rolex Fastnet Race triple?
The fight to claim the prestigious monohull line honours prize is lining up to be a tough one The fight to claim the prestigious monohull line honours prize in the centenary edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Rolex Fastnet Race is lining up to be a tough one between the world's fastest 100ft maxi yachts. Posted on 25 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 6
Double gold for France in Olympic classes Perfect sailing conditions marked the final of Kieler Woche in the Olympic skiff, dinghy, and surf classes: On Wednesday, June 25, the waters off Schilksee offered fresh to strong, challenging winds with flat waves. Posted on 25 Jun
iQFOiL International Games at Kiel Overall
Kieler Woche delivers spectacular medal series showdown ahead of Aarhus Worlds The 3rd iQFOiL International Games at Kieler Woche came to a thrilling close today, with a full day of Medal Series racing under spectacular conditions. Posted on 25 Jun
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 1
Peninsula Racing and Team Nika share the limelight After a gale forced the cancellation of yesterday's practice racing, for day one of the 44Cup Marstrand, taking place off the familiar Swedish paradise island, there was a west to northwesterly that built as the afternoon progressed, to 17 knots. Posted on 25 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma Practice Race
Boats and breeze at the home of Mediterranean superyacht sailing The waiting is over and the moment has arrived — The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 is up and running once again for the 29th time in the home of Mediterranean superyacht sailing. Posted on 25 Jun
Ferrari Hypersail unveiled
The Prancing Horse enters the world of sailing Ferrari today unveils its new Ferrari Hypersail project, an unprecedented sporting challenge in the world of sailing that blends racing tradition with technological innovation. Posted on 25 Jun
sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZPantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER