Since last night, Alexia Barrier has achieved her penultimate goal before arriving: crossing the Equator for the second time. It was quite an eventful passage but carries a scent of homecoming.
“Second crossing of the Equator for TSE-4myplanet… It’s cool, here we are in the North Atlantic with Captain’ Planet and the Penguin,” shouted our joyful Azuréenne. It was 10:32 p.m. on Wednesday when Alexia Barrier and her faithful “Penguin” re-entered the North Atlantic. A familiar space that the Maralpine was eager to return to and, above all, synonymous with an upcoming arrival in about fifteen days.
On this note, in less than 24 hours, five other skippers have completed their round-the-world journey. Therefore, only six remain in the race, and soon only five with Didac Costa’s line crossing scheduled for tonight or overnight. Behind them is another small group consisting of Clément Giraud and Miranda Merron, the two travel companions from the start of the race, expected before the pink and black boat, in turn, receives the honors of entering the channel.
For now, it’s essential to stay focused in the Doldrums, which, like all the “difficult” zones negotiated since the start, is no exception. “The Doldrums and the squalls have been giving me a hard time for 36 hours now. I have only slept for 2 hours. It’s not very nice, but the good news is that I am 3,000 nautical miles from Les Sables,” she relishes, regaining strength for lack of rest, except between storms. Alexia Barrier should emerge from it in 24 to 48 hours if the forecasts hold.
Once this tricky passage is negotiated, it will be time to think about the last strategic option before reaching the Port of Les Sables d’Olonne. So, will it be east or west of the Azores? The answer in a few days!
