After one or two days of upwind sailing in E/NE’ly winds, competitors should hit the SE’ly trade winds, which will enable them to make more rapid headway towards the equator.  They must then negotiate the first obstacle of the  course with an inter-tropical convergence zone referred to as the Doldrums. Squalls and calm zones really put the solo sailors to the test, as they must remain highly vigilant and perform a great deal of manœuvres.

Once the doldrums is crossed, the NE’ly trade winds prevent them from making a direct course home. The route often consists of making a long tack Northwards, close-hauled or full and by to round the Azores High and hunt down the offwind sailing stemming from the Western side of the Azores. Competitors can then curve their course inwards towards the finish line. This final stretch can be tough going as a result of the depressions which sweep the France’s Atlantic coastline in winter.

Sometimes a zone of high pressure brings E’ly winds across France at this time of year. This situation is often characterised by beautiful cold, sunny days. In this case, the end of the course will be upwind.

 © Christian DUMARD Oct 2007