Wtih 700 miles remaining and currently averaging 18 knots, Alex is flying towards breaking the trans-Atlantic record. Currently predicted to arrive on Thursday evening, here is his latest update from the boat:
“6 days in I have 700Nm to run and 4 days to do it in to break Bernard Stamm’s record. The routing today is not quite as optimistic as yesterday having me finish on the 26th at 1900 GMT, a full day ahead of the record. As I get closer the weather forecasts should become more reliable but there is still a long way to go and the finish looks light, slow and upwind.
I am still to the east of the front which I have stayed ahead of since New York. The front has slowed and last night I gybed to the north to get closer to it and get a favourable shift to south which will give me a better angle to continue sailing down it. I have not been more than 30Nm from the front for the last 3 days and monitoring it and ensuring my position to the east of it has been critical.
The real reason for doing this record is simply a training exercise. With the cancellation of The Transat, solo race from Plymouth to Boston we felt as team that 2012 lacked credible, valid training in the lead up to the Vendee Globe. We felt this record attempt would put me under real pressure and simulate race conditions in a way a delivery never can. So far we are achieving that goal and although it is not quite the same as a race I am feeling real value in it.”
Monday 23rd July
