While the conditions remain very changeable off the coast of Argentina, Alexia Barrier is executing maneuvers to avoid falling into areas without wind known as “doldrums.” A nightmare for all skippers.
Finding the right current, avoiding air pockets, this is Alexia Barrier’s new daily routine since her return to the Atlantic. “I managed to position myself quickly after the Falklands (Islas Malvinas southeast of Argentina) by staying close-hauled, let’s say moving further north to the left because I observed this just before Cape Horn. Quite a few people got ‘stuck’ by bearing away a little after the Falklands thinking it was cool, going with the usual pattern of seeking the anticyclone and then tacking. In the end, it doesn’t go that way because there’s a huge anticyclone and a lot of doldrums. I keep my fingers crossed, normally I haven’t had and haven’t had winds below ten knots since the Falklands, so it’s rather nice. On the other hand, it’s close-hauled, so it bounces a bit on the waves, but nothing compared to what we’ve had in recent days, it’s incomparable.”
Nevertheless, it remains quite exhausting physically because it’s necessary to constantly change tack after different updates of weather files. “It’s less stressful, the climb is going quite well so far, I even have a bit of luck compared to Samantha who is just ahead of me. She’s got caught in air pockets with less wind for some time. For now, I’m quite satisfied with my choices,” she boasts justifiably as she gradually gets closer to her British friend who is sailing out of the race.
The route is still long, and it will take until the end of February or early March to see Alexia Barrier set foot on land. Another 9,700 km separate her from Les Sables d’Olonne.
