ANTIGUANICE YACHTING INSIDER NEWSLETTER

It was a very dark, very  stormy night; classic Cape Horn. The Maiden Factor, with its all ladies crew made history as she sailed round Cape Horn. 

Well done to Skipper Heather Thomas, First Mate Rachel Burgess, Willow Bland, Lana Coomes, Vuyisile Jaca, Junella King, Maryama Seck, Kate Ledgard, Erica Lush and Capucine Treffot! 

They increased their lead on Helsinki and Neptune, opening a gap on the larger more powerful boats. The downwind conditions on the approach to Cape Horn, made timing the gybes tricky to make a safe landfall and sail the shortest distance. Radar would have been invaluable for them to stay safe from the land. 

They are now reaching in solid Westerlies as they gradually turn North around the coast of South America. In a few hours they will sail through the Strait de la Maire, between the Eastern Extremity of Argentina and Staten Island. The tide can be very strong through the passage and could give them a considerable boost.

The sea state will have a very different feel to it as they turn North. The wind is blowing over the land and the seas have no chance to build. The Southern Ocean is now ticked off and they are back to the familiar battle of tactical Atlantic sailing. The race is far from over... -Sal

Sally (Sal) Hunter was part of the original Maiden crew to sail around the world in the 89/90 Whitbread Race. Sal has joined the Maiden Shore Team for the duration of the Ocean Globe Race, tracking Maiden and keeping us updated with sailing analysis updates!