Light trade

The tracks of the boats of the Volvo Ocean race on Virtual Spectator have lost their aimless drunken sailor stagger, and the odd wind arrow can be seen - yes, the first signs of trade winds are here. The figure above shows the current forecast - the aimless hodge-podge of arrows is still there north east of Rio, but the fleet has reached the steady parallel lines of the trade winds.

Just not that much - 6 - 10 knots. Enough to keep the light air boats like movistar happy - not so good for the ABN twins. But the wind is growing with every mile north the fleet goes. And Mike Sanderson has enough points that finishing from now on mid pack is all he needs to win.


Graphic from www.stormsurf.com