atlantic

Equatorial Atlantic - Two weeks in, and most boats in the Vendée Globe fleet have now crossed the 0° line, finding themselves solidly in the Southern Hemisphere.  Foulies have given way to swimsuits (or birthday suits), Neptune has been appeased with champagne and goodies, Winter is in the wake, and the South Atlantic awaits.

Eastern Atlantic - Amazing that it's only one week in, and nearly a third of the boats sailing in the Vendée Globe fleet have had to turn back.  Tough storm conditions and bleeding edge boats don't always mix well, and in the rush for last-minute preparations, some of the IMOCA Open 60's simply weren't ready.  Luckily, though some of the boats are in bad shape, the injuries reported were mostly in the form of bangs, bruises, wrenched muscles and tired backs.

Canary Islands - Francis Joyon left Cadiz, Spain yesterday, sailing his famous maxi-trimaran yacht IDEC for a new world trans-Atlantic record on the historic Discovery Route from Cadiz to San Salvador in the Bahamas - the same route it is assumed Christopher Columbus took in 1492. With the 'round the world solo record under his belt (set in January), Joyon is aiming to break the Discovery Route time set by Thomas Coville on Sodeb'O, and it's going to be a tough