Update from Kevin Le Poidevan in the Global Solo Challenge
by Kevin Le Poidevan 4 Feb 2024 11:27 PST
Kevin Le Poidevin's Open 40 - Roaring Forty © Kevin Le Poidevin
23 Nov GSC start - the North Atlantic experienced abnormal seasonal conditions with lots of calm weather. The Portuguese trade winds were absent. Navigating the parking lots added nearly two weeks to this first leg to the Equator.
Doldrums crossing went well with the exception that I blew up my Code 0 in a squall. Its beyond repair.
SE Trades in the Southern Hemisphere blew consistently at 25-30 knots, with a strong westerly flowing current adding significant leeway as the offset made the transit a beat to windward for about 10 days. The approach to Africa was a fantastic reach on most days with great weather.
Transiting under Cape of Good Hope took me on a weather route 500nm below Cape Town. It took longer than anticipated, due to many storm cells that i had to navigate around or through. The first storm lasted 3 days and was up to 50 knots on the nose. It swept a spinnaker and snuffer overboard that was clipped to the deck and is lost.
Having rounded the Cape of Good Hope, I am now on day 65 and bound for Australia. My course takes me just north of Kerguelen Island at 46S 68E.
Two days ago was another Southern Ocean 50 knot beating in seas reaching 6m. I was running three reefs when the boom reef clutch exploded. I pulled down my 4th reef and along with heavy weather jib, they will stay hoisted for the next few days as forecast is pretty sporty, with next 7 days are forecast 30 knots, with higher gusts.
Skipper is in good spirits and able to repair most breakages underway.