We have just crossed the equator

October, the 26th

The wind becomes more and more constant as we just have crossed the equator and finally left the long ITC story behind us. By crossing the magical line we drop some Whiskey into the sea and hope that the southern hemisphere will be a good home for the next 6 month and when crossing this line again in April 09 we hope to still be fresh, motivated, with a good boat and all competitors in this long race.

It’s quite a good feeling to be in the trade winds again as this tricky ITC-area needed a lot of our attention and energy. Keeping the boat in the right direction without any wind and boat speed at times, doing the usual small repair jobs and hundreds of sail-changes on the unstable drifting boat - all this guaranteed constant excitement and mental challenges.

On the other side, we have been rewarded by impressive clouds and rain showers, which we used to get rid of the salt in the sailing gear and our hairs.

After two week offshore a regular board life has now established. In the morning we have a (real) coffee together. The daytime is used for repairs jobs, communication and for small naps of course.  Before sunset we usually cook a hot meal. But we are running out of vegetables - bad for Boris as he declines the frozen dried food now completely.

For the watches at night we have a flexible system. One of us is sleeping as long as the other one could stay awake.  Normally we change one time per night. Yesterday we decided to have a real Saturday evening with a movie and a glass of Whiskey.

Now with the gate just a few days away we start analyzing the weather in the south Atlantic - new terrain for both of us.

We are looking forward to reach South Africa in approximately 3 weeks.

These days Alex Thompson - brother of Dave who is sailing on Mowgli in this race - was forced to start a new battle against time as a fishing vessel hit his open60 Hugo Boss just in front of the port entrance to Les Sables d`Olonne where in a few days the Vendee Globe Challenge will set off. We wish him and his team bonne chance and hope they can make it to the start!

Fair winds and let us know what you are doing…

Cheers Boris and Felix