Position of Wells Fargo - American Pioneer 44 46N 38 36W
As Joe Harris and the crew aboard Wells Fargo - American Pioneer approach the halfway point for their passage to England, it's time for a bit of reflection. "This trip has been an amazing experience," Joe reported in a satellite phone call. "It's been unlike any sailing passage I have done in the past. The boat is so powerful and fast that analyzing weather and planning strategy needs to be done very differently. I am very grateful to Brad who knows the boat so well and can impart his wisdom so effectively. I just hope that I can learn enough before we get to Plymouth." Open 50 sailboats are very powerful yachts and it takes a unique skill to sail them effectively, especially when you are alone. You can't afford to have a problem. For The Transat Joe will face some stiff competition, and if he is prevail, he's going to need all the skill he can muster.
Joe's biggest competition for The Transat is fellow American Kip Stone. Kip has just built a brand new state-of-the-art Open 50 in Australia, and along with Around Alone veteran Alan Nebaur has sailed it halfway around the world in preparation for the upcoming race. Nebaur joined Stone for the trip from New Zealand around Cape Horn to the Falkland Islands performing the same role for Kip as Brad is doing for Joe. For the passage from the Falkland Islands to England, Kip sailed alone arriving in Plymouth at the end of last week. With a newer boat, more miles under his keel and a bit more time to rest up before the big race, Kip will be very tough competition. "We will just have to wait and see how we square up," Joe says. "We are most certainly the underdog, but this is a great boat and I plan to push hard."
The crew have made good progress in their first week at sea and are now positioned roughly 300 miles northwest of the beautiful Azores islands. A tricky weather pattern awaits them and it looks as if a patch of light winds may slow their progress. "We are trying to sail around this area of high pressure," Joe said. "If we can skirt the worst of the High we should be able to pick up some very favorable breeze for the remainder of the journey." While it's always nice to make a quick crossing, Joe reported that the crew were having a great time on board and were in no rush to get the trip over with. "Brad and I are standing watch and Chris and Brian Harris are taking the other watch. We share meals and often spend time together on deck. The Alpineaire food is excellent and we always look forward to mealtimes." The only negative is that Brad is still suffering from what appears to be Strep Throat and they are using their Iridium phone to seek additional consultation from doctors on land. "We have a good medical kit on board," Joe said. "But it's not as if we can pull into the nearest pharmacy for supplies. There is not much out here."
- Brian Hancock (great.circle@verizon.net)
