Solo Circumnavigator in Southern Ocean Storm
Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov is caught in the same southern ocean storm that saw Franck Cammas' trimaran Groupama 3 capsize on Monday. "I am sad to hear that Groupama has capsized. I know most of the crew and sailed with Yves Parlier in the 2000 Vendee Globe. Before, it was good to know that there were others sailing in the Southern Ocean with me. I thank God, that no one was hurt and all have been rescued." Said Konyukhov who is now 21 days into his Antarctica Cup Racetrack record bid.
Fedor was happy to report yesterday that the barometer is finally rising, and the sky starting to clear. “Massive waves are still threatening but I have increased sail area to sail in rhythm with the waves.”
"The waves are unbelievable. They are not normal. They are small hills with white foamy rollers running at high speed. I try to keep them at an 120° angle to the boat. This is the safest way to sail with them. Each wave is 100 meters apart – perfect for surfing on my 27 meter surf board. If I catch the wave right, we run down at 15-16 knots. Otherwise we are climbing up the long swell. The conditions are similar to what I prepared for and boat has performed quite well.”
"I have just had a hot cup of coffee and spotted the first albatross since the storm, though the winds are still gusting up to 50 knots. The barometer is back up to 1000Mb from 960Mb this morning. It is wet and damp inside the cabin. Weather permitting, I will open one of the hatches tomorrow to get some ventilation down below. My feet are very cold, and I'm now wearing plastic garbage bags inside my boots.’ The storm conditions were similar to what I prepared for and the boat performed well. Thankfully, all that broke during the 60 hours of 50-65 knot winds was one of the dual masthead wind instruments".
Luckily the forecast calls for weather improvements ahead!
Position: 52° 43’E 160° 28’S
Course: 100° Speed: 8.6knots.
Distance sailed: 4,113 n.miles
The Antarctic Cup Race Track:
Submitted By YachtPals on 22 Feb
Antarctica Cup, Fedor Konyukhov, circumnavigation. sailboats, sailboat, boats, boat, sailing, antarctic
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Sailing the Antarctica Cup Racetrack
Day 26: Fedor Konyukhov sailing his 85ft (27m) yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa is now half way to Cape Horn from his starting point on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack at Albany, Western Australia. "There is less than 3.000 miles left to the Horn – sounds like a Transatlantic race distance and no-longer looks so far-far away." he said today, adding: "I am sailing East at 10-12 knots and for now, would like to stay in the middle of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack around 52-53° South. It is interesting to see how Cape Horn will greet me. It will be quite unusual not to round and up into the South Atlantic, but to continue due East back towards Australia and Albany."
"I know it is full moon now, but I am sailing in complete darkness. I have thick cloud, constant rain and frequent snow showers which makes it very unpleasant to work in the cockpit. All my gear is wet and I can only change one wet foul-weather jacket for another which “dry out” for 2-3 hours on the hook in my cabin. It is just as wet inside as it is out on the deck. Condensation is everywhere. My sleeping bag feels like it has been washed but not dried out. I have several sleeping bags and this helps, but I wish I had 10 of them. With the rolling seas we have now, I can at last think to open the deck hatch for ventilation."
"Here in the Southern Ocean you are always fight something. Now that the storm has passed I’m fighting the cold. I have to put plastic bags on my feet to keep them warm and not lose body temperature. Obviously hat and gloves are on but basically I am sailing inside a refrigerator."
"Along the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, storms can be violent and massive, but they come and go and I can live with that. But the never-ending cold remains a major problem. I’m a single-handed sailor and allowed to use an autopilot, but future fully-crewed entrants in next year's Antarctica Cup Ocean Race will have to spend 24 hours on deck in similar stormy conditions. I doubt if they will have the luxury of heating onboard, and equipment and sailing gear will have to be very well planned and selected."
"Let’s hope I will safely reach Albany and can present a list of my recommendations to the future participants in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. Fighting the cold is number one on my list."
"Warm regards from freezing Southern Pacific – Fedor Konyukhov”
Position: 53° 06’S 160° 28’W
Course: 115° Speed: 12 knots. Distance sailed: 4,262 n.miles
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