Sal's Ocean Globe Race Analysis: The Azores High is the last obstacle in the way
The procession is marching on with the fleet of the Ocean Globe Race still firmly in the South East Trade Winds. There is a huge spread in the fleet now from first to last, as Pen Duick VI is about to run out of the Trades, Explorer is about to enter them.
The whole leg, after all its pot holes and struggles to stay in the breeze, may come down to the Azores High, possibly the last obstacle in their way. It is looking unstable and likely to weaken and extend out to East, rather than being a well formed circle of pressure, it likely to be elongating, making it tricky to get to the easiest route through. Pen Duick VI may well have a lot on to keep their lead with boats out to the West possibly gaining. All will become clearer over the coming days. Once the boats navigate the Azores High there appear to be a series of depressions which might bring the leaders in at a pace.
Weather information will be critical, and has been one of the biggest difficulties for the boats during this race. In the 70s and 80s the marine world was geared up to provide information to Mariners across the globe, using what they had available. Weatherfax stations were plentiful and mariners skilled at deciphering the charts provided. The lack of need for this facility in this day and age has greatly reduced the amount of forecasting available to the boats.
Another difference, is communication. In the 70s and 80s, HF radio was used to make land calls. The wonderful Portishead radio was one of the biggest providers of maritime communication between 1928 and 2000. Boats could call Portishead from anywhere in the world and there amazingly skilled operators would do their best to put calls through to landlines, among the many other services they provided.
Many Mariners leave home for long journeys with less than ideal situations and a call home has given reassurance to many at sea who have been worried sick not knowing. It was an open line though so anyone who was in the queue at the time could hear the conversations, we heard many funny and many moving chats, the Portishead operators must have so many stories.
They were truly a lifeline to sanity for so many, sadly not available to the OGR fleet.Sally (Sal) Hunter was part of the original Maiden crew to sail around the world in the 89/90 Whitbread Race.
Sal has joined the Maiden Shore Team for the duration of the Ocean Globe Race, tracking Maiden and keeping us updated with sailing analysis updates! Photo ©Ocean Globe Race/ The Maiden Factor/ Najiba Noori
