Here we go again. After successfully navigating a first depression at the end of last week, Alexia Barrier is, as expected, facing a second equally significant episode.
For three days, there’s been just one word on our minds: depression! No need to panic, everything is fine, and spirits are high. It’s more the sea trying to play tricks on TSE-4myplanet. Yesterday afternoon the Maralpine faced strong winds and a raging Pacific Ocean: “Here we are, right in the thick of it; the depression is here. The Penguin is running like a motorbike with 4 reefs and TMT, the wind is blowing between 30 and 40 knots, and the sea is rough. I got some small cuts on my fingers during a maneuver. It’s so cold that I didn’t feel anything. Sailor’s hands!”
Alexia is strong but needs to be careful not to succumb to fatigue. Shortly after Christmas, wrist pain already forced her to take a break. Two days ago, the skipper shared that she rested well by sleeping nearly 12 hours over a day, all in small chunks of a few minutes. A lifesaving anticipation that allows her to stay alert during this challenging period.
As for her choices, they are radically different from those of her competitors alongside her like Sam Davies or Ari Huusela, who are much further north. A place where the winds blow less strongly, meaning less speed. “I’m really looking forward to reaching Cape Horn, so I will manage the depression as it comes,” she explained to justify her bold choice before facing the storm. As predicted, Alexia Barrier has indeed left herself a safety margin as she descends into the ice zone, where the flow is slightly weaker.
Nevertheless, this option shows her desire to catch up to the boats ahead which are speeding along in better conditions now. Just a few more hours of trouble before finding more favorable but eternally cold weather!
