A fine comeback for Fabrice Amedeo in the 3rd week of the Vendée Globe
Fabrice Amedeo left Les Sables d'Olonne 3 weeks ago. After a second start, the navigator has caught up with some of the older boats.
Fabrice's news every Friday.
third week / #3SEMAINEDUVDG
A little respite for Fabrice at the start of the week
After a tough start to the course, the approach to Cape Verde meant that the wind died down, allowing us to rest and concentrate on two or three minor technical problems.
" It's also really good to be back with the pack of the last boats.
Our navigator is relishing the feeling of freedom and lightness that comes with life at sea in the southern seas.
On Tuesday, November 24, our navigator headed for the Doldrums.
The trade winds have calmed down, leaving the way clear for Fabrice Amedeo to cross his eighth Doldrums. It looked uncertain as to the ultimate barrier he would face on his way to the southern hemisphere and the southern seas our navigator is looking forward to.
The Doldrums, known as the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is located between 8° and 3° North and is a highly unstable meteorological zone. Sailors passing through it can get stuck in calm zones or, on the contrary, experience violent squalls.
- Friday, November 27, 2020
Wednesday, November 25,
Fabrice Amedeo advances slowly but surely
After the announcement of a possible stroke of luck in this Vendée Globe for Fabrice, with the Doldrums seemingly open. But the ocean prevented him from anticipating his plans. Our skipper struggled in erratic winds to claw back miles at near-zero speeds.
Fabrice has crossed the equator and is now in the southern hemisphere: on 25/11/2020 at 22h38 UTC (23h38 HF), he is now sailing "upside down".
A friendly message from Jémérie Beyou was received on board: "Whaou, t'as cotisé encore mon pauvre cette nuit". The navigator watched with compassion as Fabrice made almost no progress on Wednesday night. Virtually at a standstill, our skipper was on the lookout for the slightest ripple of breeze, shifting sails from side to side every ten minutes as the meagre breath of air changed direction all the time.
"Then the sky opened up, the stars came out at the end of the night and the wind came gently in the right direction, that of the trade winds, to get me out of the clutches of this doldrums that had held me back for three days.
At present,
our navigator is 25th and passing off Brazil.
"The happiness of having passed and being there, has already erased the pain and doubts of the last few hours."