Brian Thompson's blog

Happy Christmas from 50S.
 
Another incredible action filled day on Bahrain Team Pindar.
 

Firstly, a big congratulations from the Southern Ocean to fellow Bahrain Team Pindar sailor Ian Williams, and his team, for retaining the World Match Racing title in Malaysia. They have trained hard all year and fought for every place at each regatta and richly deserve a second year as World number one.

Doldrums anyone?
 
It looks like I am through in the SE trades now, without seeing any squalls or light airs. Wind is SE 12-15 knots, It feels like the Tradewinds though not quite the small puffy cumulus clouds that will be further south. These clouds are a little larger and diffuse here, but none of them have rain in them. I think that it's just more humid here, so the clouds are different.
 
Cabin temperature is 35 degrees and

Hi All,
It’s a been a day in the sail loft for me on board Bahrain Team Pindar. I have been working on the A3 sail since 10am yesterday, through much of the night and will take at least all of today to get it finished. Hopefully then I can put it up to furl it and see if she stays up.
 

Hi all,
 
A very busy couple of days on Bahrain Team Pindar, as I head southwards towards the equator. I am just passing the Canary Islands which are 140 miles to the east now. It really feels like hardly any time has passed since the start. It has been so full on since then, concentrating on getting the most out of the boat, navigating and dealing with the inevitable problems along the way. I realized that it was high time to write a report and tell you my latest news.

Yacht Bahrain Team Pindar being officially named King Hamad by Bahrain’s Labour Minister Dr. Mahjeed Al Alawi on the Vendee Globe pontoons.