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2010/02/08-07h38
Tropical fragrances...
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| Jules Verne Trophy 2009 - 2010 |
| Just 120 miles off the Brazilian coast, Groupama 3 is continuing to drop down to the SSW to hunt down a low off Rio de Janeiro.
Meantime their 530 mile lead over Orange 2 is being maintained...
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Franck Cammas and his nine crew are continuing their descent towards the Roaring Forties at an average of over 25 knots:
even though their trajectory isn't very favourable for closing in on the Cape of Good Hope, their quick pace is enabling them
to maintain the same lead in relation to Orange 2's reference time. Still making headway in E'ly tradewinds, Groupama 3 cannot
yet hang a left, but this Monday morning there are the first signs that she'll be able to switch onto a more SW'ly course
from Tuesday onwards...
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A big anticyclone"On the Northern edge of the (residual) ridge of high pressure from the Saint Helena High, several lines of squalls
are slightly disrupting the tradewinds, which is a sign that the link between the equator and the ridge of high pressure is
coming to an end (less than 48hrs respite in the SE'ly tradewinds). Once through these lines of squalls (late this Monday
morning), the tradewinds will slowly revert back to the North as they ease (afternoon and evening): in this way Groupama 3's
trajectory will curve slowly at first, before quickening up prior to the gybe (expected to take place during the course of
tonight). This will mark the start of their extraction from the zone of high pressure, with an initial stretch on starboard
tack towards the SW enabling them to distance themselves from the light winds. A number of gybes will ensue (Tuesday) in order
to get the most of the winds produced by three different systems each extending their influence across the zone in turn..."
indicated Sylvain Mondon from Météo France.
Therefore Franck Cammas and his men still have nearly a full day's sailing
ahead of them before they can begin to home in on the tip of South Africa. Their course very close to the Brazilian coast
means that they're having to be on high alert due to the intense shipping and the presence of fishermen. Tuesday will mark
the return to a more favourable weather situation for making headway towards the next goal, the Cape of Good Hope...
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