Heading for the Indian Ocean

After 27 days in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and a relatively slow start to the race, Mirabaud is now approaching the Indian Ocean.  The average boat speeds over the past few days have considerably increased but it’s beginning to look like this Barcelona World Race will not be a particularly fast one.  Due to the dangers posed by icebergs, the organisers have decided to change the route and keep the boats further north in less risky waters.  This means the teams are sailing around 44oS, and sometimes at even higher latitudes, and therefore unable to take advantage of the powerful depressions running along the 50th parallel.
“It’s not particularly cold; I’d even say it was quite pleasant with temperatures around the 15o mark,” says Dominique.  “Physically, everything is fine and we can carry out all the onboard manoeuvres without any difficulty despite conditions that are hard at times.  The boat is also in great condition and we are in perfect shape to take on the Southern Ocean.”
Over the next few hours, the peloton will be aiming to take full advantage of a transitional weather zone that is slowing down the leader Virbac-Paprec 3.  For once, it will be the middle of the pack that benefits the most from this atmospheric system.
These experienced circumnavigators are not generally accustomed to a route this far north and it changes the wildlife they come into contact with. “We’ve seen our first albatrosses this trip, and even some petrels, but they don’t stay with us long.  Most of the albatrosses are further south as they like the really windy conditions to glide along the crests of the huge waves down there.  To be honest, we quite miss them.”