Category: Leg 2 | The South Atlantic Challenge
After the initial leg, leg 2 will see yet another Atlantic crossing as we sail from South America to Cape Town in South Africa, covering around 3’600NM. It will likely be our first encounter of the infamous roaring forties, before reaching the Table Top Mountain.
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Cape Town
The stopover in Cape Town was superb. We reached Cape Town around noon in best weather but we had spotted Table Mountain already in the first sunlight. It still is something special to see the first bit of land after weeks with only the blue ocean around. Unimaginable how the early discoverers must have felt
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For Science
The world’s oceans cover roughly 70% of the earth’s surface. Correspondingly large is their contribution to our planet’s climate. But many areas are not well studied or haven’t been studied at all. For climate scientists especially the water temperature, salinity level, CO2 concentration and surface currents are of interest. The temperature has an immediate effect
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Hello Southern Ocean
We have reached the northern extends of the Southern Ocean in the last few days. At a little over 40 degrees south we let ourselves be carried east by the northerly winds. The winds have been relatively steady over the past few days, but have been increasing. Also the waves have been growing at the
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On and on
There was a big relief on board when the recently repaired spinnaker was flying from the mast. The suspense was great as everyone knew how much time had been spent on the repair in Punta del Este. Even bigger were the emotions after the sail unfolded in all its glory. The signs of repair could
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Welcome to the South
The start from Punta del Este was a bit chaotic. Many spectators gathered on the breakwater, which had sheltered us from the incoming waves for the last few days. The course was set to start downwind, which caused a few challenges for everyone. However, it was again our boat which crossed the start line last.
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Ready to go: Course Cape Town
Arrival The last few days in Punta del Este have been very exhausting. Firstly, our arrival kept dragging out. Two days before the arrival we had hoped to come in on Sunday morning. On Saturday it became clear that we would not arrive before Sunday lunchtime. Then the wind turned in the night to Sunday
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