We have no participants to tackle the Antarctica Cup Racetrack on the radar screen at this time. No doubt the world economy is having its effect on  raising boat sponsorship. We will wait. Others will come to better the record set by Fedor Konyukhov. This is too strong an event to lie idle for too long.

In the meantime we are progressing with the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race sister event - the '2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally'. www.sailaroundaustralia.com.au

We launched this event online on Wednesday 24 June 2009. To date 32 have completed an Event Slot Reservation Form for the event. All the indicators are that this event will be a very major event. Interest in racing or rallying around Australia certainly has universal appeal.

Regards,  Bob Williams Director Ocean Events Pty Ltd info@antarcticacup.com

If you have been following our web site and progress with the development of the Antarctica Cup Ocean race during 2008 we thank you and send our best wishes for 2009.

Fedor's boat 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' is back in the water after a substantial refit carried out in Auckland over the past two months including replacing the yacht's keel. Fedor and Oscar with Russian crew members will arrive in Auckland around 3 January and with Australian sailor Mark McRae from Albany in Western Australia will set off for the Falkland Islands. From the Falklands the boat may be heading back to the northern hemisphere or may head for Cape Town and return to Albany. The 2008 world financial crisis will no doubt effect a lot of previous plans but we are very hopeful of seeing Fedor back in Albany in 2009 to prepare TNAP for a crewed assault on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack in 2010.

We hope there are more sailors out there contemplating taking on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. If so we would love to hear from you.

The following newsletter was issued in October 2008  by Fedor's project manager Oscar Konyukhov:

Our Australian skipper Mark McRae, with four crew, recently delivered the Open 85 ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ from Albany through Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea to Auckland, New Zealand. The all Australian crew had a mixed bag of weather ranging from 0 knots calms to 65+ knot storms and 10-12 meters waves.

After completing the inaugural the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race  www.antarcticacup.com which finished on the  07^th May 2008, the Russian maxi yacht wintered in Albany on a mooring in Princess Royal Harbour. During the ACOR sailing event Fedor Konyukhov circumnavigated Antarctica from west to east within the corridor 45 South – 60 South. Fedor sailed a distance of 16,500 nautical miles (30,558 kilometres) Albany – Albany, non-stop, single-handed. 

From May to September Mark McRae took care of the boat in Albany and did a great job. The boat was very well looked after and was always safe even in 50+ knots squalls blowing across Princess Royal Harbor.

On the 09^th October the boat was out of the water at Roe Marine shipyard in Auckland for new antifouling and servicing of the ballast system. Also a new set of sails is currently being built by North Sails France with the cooperation of North Sails New Zealand. Mark submitted a work list to the shipyard which consists of 20+ service/replacement items. The last time the boat had a major refit was at Pendennis Shipyard UK during the summer of 2007. After that Fedor Konyukhov made a half way round the world delivery from UK to Albany in Western Australia covering 15.000 n/miles, the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race added a further 16.500 n/miles, and the delivery to Auckland a further 3,500 n/miles. All up the boat has sailed 35,000 n/miles between refits. Even the 3,500 n/miles from Albany to Auckland was not champagne sailing for Mark and his crew. The boat has worked hard in the Southern Ocean conditions for many months and deserves proper attention

By 01 of December all jobs must be completed and Mark will sail the boat to Sydney to take part in The Rolex Sydney- Hobart Race 2008. The boat is an official Russian entrant for this race. The crew will be international with 9 Russian sailors and 3 Australian sailors. Mark will be skippering the boat.  This is will be the first Sydney – Hobart experience for the Russian crew.  

Another Russian crew of 9, together with Fedor Konyukhov, is coming to Hobart by 03 of January 2009 to sail the Hobart – Cape Horn – Falkland’s Islands leg as a part of the training course for participation in the next Antarctica Cup Ocean Race scheduled for January 2010. Fedor Konyukhov will be leading a Russian crew of 4 and Mark McRae will be watch captain for the Australian crew of 4. Total there are will be 10 crew on board for the Antarctica Cup 2010 fully crewed campaign.

We also received an invitation from Bob Williams to participate in the inaugural ‘Great Australia Ocean Race’ starting in Albany in April 2009 – www.ozirace.com. This is a 6,750 n/mile race around the great coastline of Australia heading east out of Albany and taking boats from the frigid southern waters to the tropical north of Australia and back to Albany.

As a Russian yacht we are supposed to sail in the Baltic Sea but the Southern Ocean is a great platform for unique sailing projects. We have a proven relationship with Bob Williams – the Chairman of Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd and organizer of both the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event and the new ‘Ozirace’. These events present great challenges and attractions to Fedor Konyukhov who would like to share his experience with young Russian and Australian sailors and let them see for themselves the power and beauty of the ‘Deep South’ so many times described by Fedor in Sat-C messages from the boat during the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race.   

The Antarctica Cup Racetrack is closed for the 2008 southern winter period and re-opens on December 1st 2008 and will remain open during the 2008-2009 southern summer with the last race starting date being March 1st 2009. For information contact: rwilliams@antarcticacup.com

We look out into Princess Royal Harbour and see Fedor’s yacht ‘Alye Parusa’ safely on her mooring. Work has been done to bring her to 100% condition. She is sitting there as if waiting to go around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack again. Which makes us think what a perfect ‘platform’ she is for an all-Australian crew to sail the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and set the ‘crewed monohull’ record. Following that another national team can sail the same 'platform' and challenge the Australian record. In between she would make a perfect sail training vessel giving young sailors in Australia experience sailing a maxi ‘round the world’ racing yacht. A nice idea! rwilliams@antarcticacup.com

French whalers were amongst the first to hunt whales in King George Sound in the early days of the nineteenth century. The presence of French warships in King George Sound prompted the British government to ship settlers to King George Sound and claim the western half of the continent of Australia. French Captain Nicolas Baudin led the Baudin Expedition setting sail from Le Havre in France in October 1800 bound for the western half of the continent of Australia. The expedition was responsible for hundreds of French place names in Australia of which 240 are still in use. Baudin charted almost two-thirds of the Australian coastline making the first detailed charts of the west and north-west coasts of Western Australia. Two Peoples Bay a spectacular natural reserve close to Albany was named by Baudin. The image below is of the statue of Captain Nicolas Baudin overlooking King George Sound and the Start Line of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race.

(1) Now that Event One of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race is complete what are your feelings?
First and foremost is gratitude to Fedor Konyukhov and his sponsor ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ for his supreme effort in completing the inaugural solo lap of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. For every of the 102 days that Fedor was on the Racetrack we were out there with him. He had moments when it was touch and go whether he would retire – the severe rudder problem when south of the Falklands Islands and the fight against the cold conditions – but Fedor proved he was equal to the task and completed his mission without mishap. We now have a solid foundation upon which to build future Antarctica Cup events.
(2) What did you learn from Event One?
Fedor’s boat was very well prepared and Fedor is extremely experienced in dealing with the harshest of elements. We have a better appreciation now of the conditions competing boats must prepare for and the mental and physical conditions sailors competing in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race (ACOR) must endure. A few days after Fedor crossed the finish line we conducted a two hour debriefing and obtained much valuable information that will influence the rules and regulations for future Antarctica Cup events. The number one criterion is that any boat and crew competing in the ACOR on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack return without serious mishap. This will require going beyond accepted levels in certain areas of preparation that are customary in other round the world events today.
(3) Where there any surprises?
The greatest surprise was the number of icebergs scattered across the southern reaches of the South Atlantic Ocean from Cape Horn to south of Cape Agulhas. Satellite surveillance identified over 3,100 icebergs of significant size and gave us the geographic location and dimensions of each iceberg which enabled us to plot a safe corridor through which Fedor sailed. This section of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack represents 2,900,000 nautical square miles of ocean and an average of one iceberg for every 972 nautical square miles of ocean with many located in specific clusters. Iceberg surveillance will be an essential part of future events management.
(4) Are you happy with the ‘Antarctica Cup Racetrack’ concept?
We are very happy with the Antarctica Cup Racetrack concept with positive feedback from viewers. The Gates, Sectors, Lanes, Zones, allows us to bring land based racetrack functionality to a circular ‘virtual’ racetrack superimposed on the surface of three of the world’s oceans with the official boundary of the Southern Ocean forming in the inner boundary of the Racetrack (60S). The 20 islands located around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and the nature of the islands provides added interest to followers of the event. Before the next event on the Racetrack we will invest in 3D animation imagery that will further enhance viewer enjoyment and provide unique advertising opportunities.
(5) What makes the ‘Antarctica Cup Ocean Race’ event stand alone from other long distance ocean races?
We claim the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race is the toughest yacht race on the planet – the ‘Everest’ of yacht racing - and there is no reason to question this claim. The theoretical mean distance around the Racetrack Albany – Albany is around 14,600 nautical miles. Fedor sailed 16,357 nautical miles in his solo circumnavigation. Outer and inner boundaries of the Racetrack span from latitudes 45S to 60S which embraces the unrestricted weather systems circling the bottom of the globe. There is little respite from harsh conditions on this racetrack. Like Mt Everest it should only be challenged by those who are the most highly experienced and supremely prepared.
(6) What is the plan for future Antarctica Cup events?
We have four divisions of competition on the Racetrack – Solo monohull, and multihull, crewed monohull and multihull, production boat monohull and multihull, and nation vs nation. We are welcoming competitors for any of these divisions. The Racetrack is open from December through to March every year. We would like to encourage the existing super multihull owners to set records on the Racetrack and will work towards achieving a pure nation vs nation competition, monohull or multihull, where crew members are nationals of the country being represented. An old fashioned concept that worked in the past and we are confident will work again.

23 May 2008. World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) announces a new ‘Performance Certificate’
Antarctica Cup Racetrack inaugural record:
Albany to Albany - Australia.
Yacht:  ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’. 85 ft Monohull.
Name: Fedor Konyukhov. RUSSIA.
Dates: 26th January 2008 to 7th May 2008 Start time: 01:21:05 UTC Finish time: 02:56:55 UTC Elapsed time: 102 days 1 hour 35 minutes 50 seconds.
Fedor's solo non-stop record is now official and sits there for others to challenge. 

Every earnest endeavour has a vision that drives the organisers to achieve. In the case of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race management the vision is to achieve, aside from individual competition, a Nation vs Nation competition on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Sailors being nationals of the country they represent. Maritime nations that have representation in Antarctica both historic and present such as France, the UK, the USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, come to mind. A mighty competition in the making.

After a hectic day in Perth the capital of Western Australia visiting the Mosman Park State School and Year 2 students that had made a project of following Fedor during his voyage around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack Fedor caught up with Jon Sanders at the Fremantle Maritime Museum and 'Parry Endeavour' the boat that Sanders sailed three times around the world solo non-stop. Fedor and Oscar leave the shores of Western Australia today sharing very fond memories with the people of Albany and Western Australia. Au Revoir Fedor and Oscar.

10 May 08. A two hour debriefing session took place aboard ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ today with Fedor Konyukhov providing Antarctica Cup Management with constructive feedback that will be reflected in the rules and regulations for future Antarctica Cup Ocean Race events.
At the end of the debriefing session Fedor Konyukhov confirmed that construction of his 54 metre long sports and expeditionary yacht designed by the famous French yacht designer Marc Lombard will get underway soon. Fedor stated that the first event for his new boat will be to compete in the Crewed Monohull division of Antarctica Cup Ocean Race (summer of 2010/11). Details of the yacht can be found at www.konukhov.ru

Fedor’s current yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ will remain in Albany for a period. The boat is in excellent order and with a new suit of sails and upgrades to electronic equipment is ideal to challenge the Crewed Monohull division of the 2008/2009 Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. A crew of 6 to 8 is perfect for this vessel. Enquiries contact Oscar Konyukhov at oscar75@yandex.ru or rwilliams@antarcticacup.com

Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event management announce the naming of GATE 12 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack - GATE 12 KONYUKHOV GATE and SECTOR 12 ALYE PARUSA in recognition of inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean race champion Fedor Konyukhov completing the Antarctica Cup Racetrack solo in his 85' yacht 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' and establishing the benchmark elapsed time of 102 Days, 01 Hours, 35 Minutes, 50 Seconds.

From Bob Williams at Antarctica Cup Management:
“From the event management side we now have this numb feeling - We have done it! Event 1 is complete and we now have a firm foundation upon which to go forward. All made possible by the wonderful and courageous contribution of Fedor Konyukhov and his yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ our first competitor and our hero for ever - Fedor’s sponsor Trading Network Alye Parusa, his ever cooperative support team headed up by Oscar Konyukov, Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather, and on our side our press agent Barry Pickthall from PPL Media, Peter Bevan from Campaign Makers, and many other untiring loyal supporters over the past 6 years of the event development process. We are necessarily a small team but with devotion to achieving our goal and hard work we have come a long way unassisted. The task ahead is to build upon future competitor interest already expressed and introduce event partners and advertisers to help us progress the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race and the Antarctica Cup Racetrack to achieve recognition as one of the world’s great sporting events. We are looking forward to a debriefing with Fedor over the next two days which I’m sure will reflect in the building of the rules and regulations for the next event. On behalf of my team I wish to thank the people around the world who have followed our event over the past 102 days, the local and international media, and especially the wonderful community of Albany in Western Australia”.

Albany turned on a beautiful day to welcome Fedor into King George Sound and the Finish Line of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. Large numbers of Albany residents came to the Albany Town Jetty to welcome Fedor back to Albany. The Albany Sea Cadets formed a guard of honour and a prize giving function and press conference was held on board Albany charter vessel 'Silverstar'. Mr Artyom Kozhin, First Secretary, Embassy of the Russian Federation Canberra read out a message from the Russian Ambassador to Australia and awarded Fedor a commemorative medal. Mr Milton Evans, City of Albany Mayor, presented Fedor with the 'City of Albany Antarctica Cup Medal' and Bob Williams chairman of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race management team presented Fedor with the perpetual "Antarctica Cup' trophy. A very tired Fedor retired to the shore crew house for a well deserved rest. We will all miss the regular reports we have received from Fedor over the past 102 days. Thank you Fedor. Albany looks forward to your returning to our shores.

As Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay reached the base camp after scaling Mount Everest Hillary famously exclaimed – “we knocked the bastard off”. Fedor Konyukhov and his trusty companion ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ having today conquered the ‘Everest’ of ocean racing has also “knocked the bastard off”. Only this time it’s the Antarctica Cup Racetrack that has been conquered. Congratulations Fedor on a remarkable achievement by a remarkable man. Elapsed time to complete the Antarctica Cup Racetrack 102 Days 01 Hours, 35 Minutes 50 Seconds. (Official Finish Time 1056:50 WST, 0256:50 UTC, 07 May 08). Image below taken few minutes after Fedor crossed the Finish Line.

Position: 35,16.0S , 116,44.91E
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 119 deg.
UTC Time: 1251 (2051 WST). 06 May 07.
Wind 15 knots NE -FEDOR OK.
(77 nautical miles from Finish Line) 

Less than 100 nautical miles to the finish:
“The sky is magnificent; I have not seen such a blue sky for ages. Sunshine, a gentle ocean, dolphins – is it for real? Only 3 days ago I was battling 50 knots of SW wind, massive waves, cold, and now I’m enjoying Mediterranean style cruise conditions. If not for the head winds I would get to Albany by midnight today but with several tacks I need to place it will take another half a day to get to Eclipse Island where I expect to meet the press the boat from Albany. My yacht looks very happy and seems to enjoy the warm and sunny weather. Sure she deserves such treatment after working non-stop from 12 of October 2007, the day we left Falmouth UK to sail to Albany. One week in Cape Town and two weeks in Albany – that was it – short rest for the good ship Open 85 ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’. I was standing and looking how her bow relentlessly pierces the ocean and this is happening for nearly 30.000 miles in one season – I have great respect for this vessel.   I checked my food stock. Nothing tasty at all, so I will wait until we get to Albany and order a nice thick steak. Clean sheets, shower, nice dinner and 12 hours sleep, maybe it sounds basic but this is exactly what I need. Regards, Fedor”.

Position: 35,49.15S , 116,17.77E
Speed: 4 knots, Course: 19 deg.
UTC Time: 0506. 06 May 2008.
Wind 5-10-7-kt NNW-NW-NE -E - FEDOR OK.
The wind is dancing around as Fedor ights his way to the Finish Line. In the meantime preparations or the Finish are in full swing in Albany. ETA Finish Line still AM 07 May 08.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“No major squalls suggested on the satellite photo. I’m assuming that Fedor will be able to sail within 10 nautical miles of the rhumb line to Albany. Timing Fedor’s arrival still is complicated by a section of light wind, but it seems that arrival is most likely about 07 May 08/0600 UTC-1800 UTC.
06 May 08/0000UTC: WNW 5 knots, 0600: NNW 4-8 knots, 1200 UTC: NE 10 knots, 1800 UTC: NNE 10-15 knots.
07 May 08/0000UTC: N to NNE 10 knots, 06: NNW 4-7 knots, 12: NNE 4-8 knots, 1800 UTC: NNW 10 knots”.

Position: 36,8.90S , 115,47.20E
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 37 deg.
UTC Time: 2020. 05 May 2008.
Wind 10-knots WNW -FEDOR OK.

150 nm to Finish Line. If the breeze holds anywhere west of north around 10 knots Fedor is expected in King George Sound AM WST (+/- 0200 UTC) Wednesday 07 May 08.

Fedor reported by satellite hand phone at 1800 WST (1000 UTC) :
“On the sunset I went on deck just in time – on the portside bow I noticed a giant sperm whale on a collision heading with my yacht. He was steaming towards the southern ocean without paying any attention to my vessel. He was like big driftwood, but with powerful fountains. I just managed to bear away from this mammal as it passed 5-6 meters from the bowsprit! If I did not take some rapid action we would certainly have hit him (I’m sure it was male, based on his dimensions, probably 20 meters LOA). It reminded me that you should never say – we are in safe waters until you put your boat alongside the jetty. Even with 200 miles to the finish line anything may happen. Right now I'm in a tricky situation. I have all sails up, full main and solent. The night is coming and black clouds are arriving on the scene. I’m fighting the temptation to reduce sail area to be on the safe side in case of a sudden squall or gust but at the same time I don’t want to slow down the boat. It would be crazy to damage the rig or a sail so close to the finish but I also need to get to Albany before a prolonged period of light wind arrives followed by a low pressure coming soon after. Definitely this night will be stressful and sleepless although the ocean is smooth and it is very, very, calm here - well at least compared to what I had three days ago. Regards. Fedor”.

Antarctica Cup Management is seeking a fashion design house to produce fashion clothing based around the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race and the Antarctic environment. Interested parties please contact Bob Williams at rwilliams@antarcticacup.com .

Weather forecast from the ever reliable Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Wind along the coast is expected to shift from NW 5 knots at 06 May 08/0000 UTC, to ENE 10 knots by 06 May 08/1200 UTC, and N to NNE 10 knots by 07 May 08/0000 UTC (possibly reduced by a south wind trying to develop as a sea breeze; staying a few miles offshore should help reduce that problem). So, Fedor will likely get headed as he approaches Australia. The most likely direction of any significant current should be W to E, so I’m suggesting that Fedor continue to aim west of Albany, assuming that he will be on port tack along the coast for the final miles to Albany. Aiming point: 35° 00S, 117° to 117° 30E, but I would not be surprised to see Fedor as far east as 36°S 117° 30E (near 06 May 08/1200 UTC), before working north in a light NE breeze. Timing Fedor’s arrival is complicated by a section of light wind, but it looks like an arrival between 07 May 08/0000 UTC-1200UTC (0800 WST – 2000 WST). Any later than that, and he runs the risk of losing the wind entirely.
05 May 08/0000 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW 20 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 15 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 10 knots.
06 May 08/0000 UTC: NW 5-10 knots, 0600 UTC: NNW 4-8 knots, 1200 UTC: NE 10 knots, 1800 UTC: NNE 10-15 knots.
07 May 08/0000 UTC: N to NNE 10 knots, 060 UTC: NW 4-7 knots, 1200 UTC: Light/Variable.
After 07 May 08/1800 UTC: becoming NW 5-10 knots (another reason for Fedor to approach from a western placement, in case he is still out at this time)".

1200 UTC 04 may 08. Hand held satellite report from Fedor: “It’s getting warm out here. I really can feel it now. The air smells different. It’s still raining, but it’s a comfortable rain - not those freezing bullets we had for the last 3 months. This morning I crossed latitude 40 south and exited the ‘Roaring Forties’. It’s a very emotional feeling; a combination of joy and sadness. Will I ever sail these waters again? I have spent more than half a year sailing my boat from UK to Australia and the Antarctica Cup Race Track. I have so much got used to this routine and frankly speaking I am scared to change it! It is all so predictable here in the ocean, my boat has become an essential part of life and soon I will have to put her on anchor. This is hard to believe. All my thoughts now are how I will approach Albany? What time? Who will meet me? What the weather will be there? All my thoughts are about the finish. Regards, Fedor”.

Position: 39,37.15S , 111,31.6E
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 42 deg.
UTC Time: 0906. 04 May 2008.
Wind 25-30-knots WNW - FEDOR OK.
Fedor entered the 'Roaring Forties' on 30 January 08 and exited today having spent the last 95 days below latitude 40S. Age 56, solo non-stop sailing his 86 foot boat unassisted, 95 days below 40S. A remarkable achievement. Hats off to Fedor Konyukhov!

Antarctica Cup Management appointed award winning, internationally acclaimed, Western Australian glass artist Kevin Gordon and his associates to design and craft the perpetual ‘Antarctica Cup’ trophy. Bob Williams, chairman, Antarctica Cup Management: “We were well aware of Kevin Gordon’s international reputation as a master glass artist (Kevin’s work is included in the ‘Sir Elton John American Glass Collection’, and is displayed in galleries across Europe) and were delighted when Kevin agreed to design and craft our 'Antarctica Cup' perpetual trophy and replica trophy to be awarded to the champions of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Our brief to Kevin was that we wanted a trophy that depicted the Antarctic environment in all its beauty, a trophy that was distinctly original, with a replica our champions will be proud to take home. We feel Kevin has done us proud.”

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Forecast assumes aiming toward 36°S 118° 30’E, based on wind of NNE 15 knots on the 7^th May 08. But we may need to adjust this as we track Fedor’s progress.
04 May 08/0000 UTC: NNW 25-30 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW/NW 30 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 20 knots.
05 May 08/0000 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 0600: WNW 25-30 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 15 knots.
06 May 08/0000 UTC: WNW 10 knots”.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at ‘Tactical Weather’:
“Looking toward Fedor’s arrival, the forecast suggests that he will need to sail as high as possible to work toward Albany. Wind direction will mostly be WNW to NNW, so Fedor will need to sail tight to the wind (something he has already done over the past 24 hours, to try to get in a more favourable position for the approach to Albany). If today’s forecast holds true for the Albany finish, Fedor will have to deal with a period of near calm wind, followed by tacking through a light northerly wind.  Let’s hope for something less cruel!
03 May 08/0000 UTC: WSW 30 knots, 0600 UTC: WSW 15-20 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 10 knots, 1800 UTC: NW 15-20 knots.
04 May 08/0000 UTC: NNW 25 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW/NW 30 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 15-20 knots.
05 May 08/0000 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots”.

Position: 43,2.30S , 108,48.77E
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 26 deg.
UTC Time: 2140. 02 May 2008.
Wind 30 knots -WSW - FEDOR OK.

From Fedor's position above distance to the Finish Line in King George Sound is 650 nautical miles. Fedor's time of arrival is entirely wind dependent. Given his average daily run over the past 98 days (160NM) suggests an ETA King George Sound WEDNESDAY 07 MAY 2008.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
02 May 08/0000 UTC: W/WNW 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots, 0600 UTC: W 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots, 1200 UTC: WSW 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots,180 UTC: WSW 35-40 knots.
03 May 08/00: WSW 30-35 knots, 0600 UTC: WSW 30 knots, 1200 UTC: becoming WNW 20 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots.

Fedor crossed GATE 18 (105E) of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack at 2106 UTC, 01 May 08. (0506 WST 02 May 08) and is now free to head north to the Finish Line in King George Sound, Albany, Western Australia. ETA King George Sound Thursday 08 May 08. (please follow this web site for updates).
Reports from Fedor's shore crew indicate that Fedor is in the grip of 50 -55 knot gale force winds from the  WNW. The repair to the mainsail track car is complete. Fedor is OK but is still sailing east until the wind allows him to set a course for King George Sound. Distance under the keel of 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' since crossing the Start Line (26 January 08) is 15,400 nautical miles. Distance to the Finish Line (118E) is 850 nautical miles.
Fedor has effectively completed the inaugural circumnavigation of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, GATE 1 - GATE 18, Solo Monohull Division in approx. 96 Days 19 Hours. 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' has incurred damage to a mast head instrument and has a damaged aerial to the satellite telephone terminal below decks. There are some splits in the mainsail which are holding. Aside from this 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' is in sound condition which is a tribute to the soundness of the vessel and the meticulous preparation for the event by Fedor, his shore crew, sail makers and boat builders involved in preparing the boat for the toughest yacht race on the planet.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Fedor may be facing some of the strongest winds yet!  And the final approach to Albany may be from the southeast, if the long-range forecast holds.
The forecast below suggests a crossing of the Racetrack Exit Gate at 45°S at 106° 30’E.  If Fedor can manage to nudge closer to 45°S 105°E, that will help for later.
01 May 08/0000 UTC: NW 20-25 knots, 1200 UTC: W 35-40 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 40-50 knots.
02 May 08/0000 UTC: W 45-50 knots gusting 55 knots, 0600 UTC: W 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots, 1200 UTC: WSW 35- 40 knots gusting 45 knots, 1800 UTC: WSW 35- 40 knots.
03 May 08/0000 UTC: WSW 30-35 knots”.

At UTC 2300 (30 April 08), 0700 WST (01 May 08) Fedor crossed latitude 101° E. The Exit gate on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is at 105E, 185 nautical miles ahead. Distance to the Finish Line in King George Sound is 1,035 nautical miles from 101E. ETA King George Sound is early morning, Thursday 08 May, but could be 07 May if Fedor gets favourable winds to speed him north from the Racetrack Exit Gate.

Fedor left Falmouth, England, on 12 October 2007 to sail to Albany, Western Australia, single handed, to compete in the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race and sail the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Forced to stop-over at Cape Town for repairs arriving Cape Town 10 December 2007. Days at sea single handed = 59. Departed Cape Town to sail to Albany on 16 December 2007 – double handed. Arrived at Albany 12 January 2008. Days at sea double handed = 27.
Crossed Start Line Antarctica Cup Ocean Race 26 January 2008. Days at sea as at 30 April 2008 single handed = 94.
SINCE 12 OCTOBER 2007 FEDOR HAS SPENT 180 DAYS AT SEA- 143 DAYS SINGLE HANDED, 27 DAYS DOUBLE HANDED, AND 20 DAYS ASHORE. AROUND 8 DAYS SINGLE HANDED YET TO GO BEFORE CROSSING FINISH LINE IN KING GEORGE SOUND. ( The above is impressive in itself but more so when considering that Fedor on completion of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race will have spent over 100 days sailing between 40S and 60S latitudes since leaving Falmouth).

“I’m sailing as close to the wind as much as the NNW waves allow. Ideal is to have 060° COG (Course over the Ground), but we are hardly managing 075° COG. In fact we are riding parallel to the swell and the wind waves. Bringing the boat closer creates too much stress for the hull and rig. The boat hits the waves and often stops. I was hoping to have a cooperative forecast by the turning mark (Exit Gate), although what I just received from Lee Bruce promises a rough approach to the Exit Gate. Regards Fedor”.

Weather forecast and tactics from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“If we assume that Fedor will be near the Racetrack exit gate (45S, 105E) by about 02 May 08/0600 UTC - 1200 UTC, the wind direction from 03 May 08/0000 UTC through 06 May 08/1200 UTC is expected to range between WNW and NNW, with speeds from 10 knots to 35 knots (the 35 knot is through 03 May 08/0600 UTC, with the rest of the time being mostly 20 knots or less). 
The final 200 nautical miles or so (to the Finish Line) could be in very light wind.  That’s the scenario, but not a guarantee.  Based on the likelihood of a lot of WNW to NNW wind, Fedor should try to enter the Racetrack exit gate as close to the west end (45S 105E) as possible. But I’m afraid the wind will make that very difficult.  Fedor will need to sail as high as he can for the next 48-60 hours.  The two positions estimated below are where I think Fedor may end up, but he should always be trying for that 45S 105E Way Point.
30 April 08/0600 UTC: NW 10-15 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots.
01 May 08/0000 UTC: NW 20-25 knots (estimate near 46 30S 101 45E), 0600 UTC: NW 25-30 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 35 knots, 180 UTC: WNW 35 knots.
02 May 08/0000 UTC: W 20 becoming WSW 40 knots, 0600 UTC: WSW 40-50 knots,(estimate near 45S 106 33E), 1800 UTC: WSW 35 knots.
(Western Standard Time – local time Albany = UTC/GMT + 8 hours).

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather
“It looks like the wind over next 48 hours will be such that Fedor may be directed along and within about 25 nautical miles south of the rhumb line from Fedor’s 28 April 08/1800 UTC position to the west side of the exit gate (45S 105E). Wind for crossing 45S: 01 May 08/1800 UTC – 03 May 08/1200 UTC: W to WNW 35+ knots.
29 April 08/0600 UTC: WNW 10 becoming NW 15-20 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: W 18-23 knots.
30 April 08/0000 UTC: WNW 5-10 knots, 0600 UTC: NW 20 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 25 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots.
01 May 08/0000 UTC: NW 15 knots (estimate near 46S 101 30E)”.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Strong SSW wind will continue for another 12 hours or so, and then decrease and eventually shift to NW.
28 April 08 /0000 UTC: SSW 35 knots, gusting 45 knots, 0600: SSW 30-35 gust 40 knots, 1200 UTC: SSW/SW 25-30 knots, 1800 UTC: SSW 15-20 knots.
29 April 08 /0000 UTC: SW 8-13 knots becoming W 7-12 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW 10 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 10-15 knots, 1800 UTC: NNW 15 knots.
30 April 08 /0000 UTC: NW 15 knots.

“I am talking to you, standing on deck via the Iridium hand-held phone. The stationary phone is out of order; the troubleshooting procedure showed that there is a problem with the antenna. The antenna had enough stress and gave up. The portable sat phone is from the ‘survival grab bag’. The line is clear; the only disadvantage is that I have to go on deck, as there is no coverage inside the navigation station. 
Last 24 hours were quite challenging, after a powerful north flow we had for nearly 100 hours someone switched off the wind. All of sudden from 45 knots we ended up with 05 knots in a matter of minutes. The ocean was completely out of control and the boat was left with no power and to the mercy of the waves. The main sail was flying and crashing from side to side. Before I managed to drop it one of the stainless steel connecting pins (attaches main sail to the traveler on the mast) broke and is now rubbing alongside the carbon mast. I tried to unscrew the broken part from the batten terminal but so far unsuccessful. The remaining bit is too short to get to with pliers. I am working on it now, I have several spare pins.  
This morning, 27th of April, we are finally coming up towards the turning mark at 105E. With the long range forecast we may sail east of this mark, it all depends on the wind conditions around the mark.  The amount of snow I had last night is unbelievable. Strong northern flow with high humidity and cold conditions of late Southern Ocean Autumn brought a massive snow fall, up to 10 centimetres on deck and on the sails. Fresh water in plastic bottles in the cockpit is frozen. I can easily imagine the conditions the first polar explorers experienced. Hope I will be out of this refrigerator soon. 35 South (Albany Latitude) sounds like the tropics. Best regards, Fedor”
Position: 49,26.71S , 88,9.7E
Speed: 7 knots, Course: 40 deg.
UTC Time: 0918 UTC. 27 April 08.

GATE 17 SANDERS GATE (90E) is named after Jon Sanders AO, OBE, (1939 –):
Jon Sanders is a famous Western Australian yachtsman celebrated for completing, two (1981/82), and then three (1986/88), consecutive non-stop unassisted solo circumnavigations of the globe. Jon Sanders was inducted into the ‘Single-Handed Sailor's Hall of Fame’ in Newport, Rhode Island, USA in 1991. Jon’s records include:

· 1981-82. Double non-stop solo circumnavigation west to east via the Southern Ocean.

· 1986 May 25th - left Fremantle, Western Australia and headed east.

· 1988 March 13th - returned from 656 days 21 hours and 18 minutes at sea, completing three non-stop solo circumnavigations.

‘Guinness World Records’ cites this as the longest distance ever sailed continuously by any vessel. (71,023 nautical miles) and ‘The longest period ever spent alone at sea - 657 days'. Jon Sanders was the first single handed yachtsman to circumnavigate Antarctica (1981 / 82) in his S&S 34 fiberglass yacht ‘Perie Banou’. Jon at age 69 is still active in offshore ocean racing and regularly delivers yachts around the world. The following photograph of Jon Sanders (left) and Fedor Konyukhov was taken on the eve of Fedor crossing the Start Line of the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
From now, the western exit mark of 45S, 105E should be the aiming point.  The long-range outlook suggests NW to NNW wind there, so we should try to hit that wind west side of the exit gate.
27 April 08 /0000 UTC: NNW 20-25 knots becoming NW 10 knots by 0300 UTC, and then light/variable, 0600 UTC: variable <10 knots (NW backing to SW), 1800 UTC: SSW 30-35 gusting 40 knots.
28 April 08 /0000 UTC: SSW 30-35 knots gusting 40 knots, 0600 UTC: SSW 30 knots, 1200 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots, 1800 UTC: SSW 15-20 knots.
29 April 08 /0000 UTC: SW 10 becoming W <10 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW 15 knots.

26 April 08. 0400 UTC. Distance traveled 14,490 nautical miles. Next Racetrack Gate is GATE 17 SANDERS GATE at 90E. Racetrack Exit Gate is at 45S, 105E. ETA King George Sound 7 May 08.

Oscar Konyukhov project manager of Fedor’s shore crew reports:
“Due to constant stress on the boat, especially at the stern area, the fixed satellite telephone antenna is out of order. Fedor is using a hand-held satellite telephone. To make a phone call he needs to go on deck as inside the boat there is no coverage. He can't make phone calls in the heavy rain or during bad weather. In fact, I could hardly hear him this morning - the wind was screaming. It was like Fedor was talking to me riding on a freight train. Right now we are relying on Sat-C email updates. We have further options for tracking Fedor’s position should there be problems with the hand-held satellite telephone”.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Fedor will be trading that strong N wind for variable breezes for the next 72 hours. I think he will be able to work in a general NE direction during this time, but it will be in fits and starts, with periods of light wind and some unfavourable directions.
26 April 08/0000 UTC: Shifting E to N 4-8 knots, 0600-1200 UTC: N 10-15 knots becoming WNW 5-10 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 5-10 becoming WNW 30 knots, 1800 UTC: WNW 30 knots becoming NW 15 knots.
27 April 08/0000 UTC: NW 15 becoming light/variable, 0600 UTC: light/variable becoming SW 10-15 knots, 1200 UTC: SW 10-15 becoming SSW 25-30 knots, 1800 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots.
28 April 08/0000 UTC: SSW 25 knots, 1200 UTC: SSW 20 knots.”

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Fedor’s speed in the relentless north wind has driven him well south, and he may push toward 51S before the wind shifts.
25 April 08/0000 UTC: N 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots, 1800 UTC: variable NW to NE to SE 15 knots; low/front nearby
26 April 08/0000 UTC: NE 15 knots, 0600 UTC: NNE to NNW 20-25 knots, 1200 UTC: NW 15 knots, 1800 UTC: W 30-35 knots.
27 April 08/0000 UTC: WNW 25 knots”.

“I read that Fedor was wondering if he should've sailed farther south a few days ago. The chart for 24 April 1800UTC suggests that he would've been in a very tough position, had he started out farther south in this northerly gale. The north wind extends for more than 1800 Nautical miles, from 30S to 58S! So there was no option to escape it--only to try to limit its effect. Fedor has been sailing about as fast as he has at any time since he left Albany, but my guess is that he's actually trying to slow the boat down, to limit the southing. And although he'd like to sail more easterly, he's limited by the wave action. It's a fine balance between protecting the boat and aiming for the finish. Once the north wind moves through, conditions will become variable, and then there will be a risk of 40 knots gusting 50 knots SW wind. Fedor is amazingly resilient, but my guess is that even he will be very glad when this is over!”

Update from Oscar Konyukhov Fedor’s son and shore team project manager:
“Fedor reports by email that the boat is battling hard to make progress east. Over the past week Fedor has experienced all sorts of uncooperative weather from the North, East, South and back to the North. At present the wind is screaming at 40-45 knots from the North, pushing the boat south-east. We are closely monitoring Fedor, the boat progress, and the weather forecasts and hope the weather will be cooperative at the Racetrack turning mark (105E) to allow Fedor a smooth run north to the finish line. Fedor has great stamina and huge experience of navigating the boat in the Southern Ocean but the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is proving to be his hardest challenge yet. He is not only fighting the weather, but sleep deprivation and general fatigue as a combination of hard work, the cold environment he lives in, shortage of food supplies, constant wet clothes and equipment, and so on. He said he has lost up to 10 kg of body weight which is significant as before the start he was at 70 kg. Once on dry land he will need some time to recover but Fedor is very fit and normally after 4-5 months at sea just 48 hours of rest is enough for him to feel refreshed. Regards, Oscar Konyukhov, Project Manager”.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Fedor needs to sail with as much easting as possible for the next 36 hours.
24 April 08/0600 UTC: N 35-40 knots gusting 45 knots, 1200 UTC – 25 April 08/0600UTC: N 40 knots gusting 50 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots, 1800 UTC: variable 20 knots; front nearby
26 April 08/0600 UTC: becoming NW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: (near 49-50S?) becoming WSW 40 knots gusting 50 knots.

Fedor heading north towards northern boundary (45S) of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
Position: 45,39.31S , 75,4.2E
Speed: 5 knots, Course: 159 deg.
UTC Time: 0509. 23 April 08.
Wind 15-20-knots -E - FEDOR OK.

DAY 88, 14,000 nautical miles traveled. 2,000 nautical miles to Finish Line in King George Sound. Average nautical miles traveled per day = 159. Percentage of journey completed = 88%.

“Strong headwinds are not allowing to us to progress towards the finish at all. Both the boat and I hate this kind of situation. Worse progress from the start – 36 nautical miles in 24 hours! The Indian Ocean has decided to test us to the very limit with most unfavourable conditions. The wind is shifting from North to East and then to South and back every 3-4 hours. The boat is gradually changing its COG (Course over Ground) from 110° to 180° in 2 hours. From 180° we tack, but wind waves prevent us from sailing NE and we are crawling to 010° COG. The sea state is a complete mess. It looks like boiling water in a pot with the west swell and the east wind waves colliding. The smooth long west swell is gone. I have foamy shampoo type water around the boat, sunshine, 40 knots of head winds and the barometer reads 1037!
As soon as I reported my ETA to my shore team the boat hit a wall and is not moving. ‘Do not say you will be there until you get there’! (Russian proverb). The forecast is very bad; head winds for another 24 hours, light head winds followed by strong NNE winds. Is there any justice in this world? Why do I need this test of endurance after I’ve spent 3 months below 45 South? I consider myself a tolerant sailor who takes things easy, but with a nearly empty gas bottle, limited provisions, wet clothes from socks to hat, blue fingers as a result of the cold and 87 days in an alloy hull and freezing water of the Southern Ocean the conditions are far beyond health spa treatment. I’m beginning to lose my patience. It’s difficult to find the motivation to stay focused and be happy. In these conditions the question is not why the ocean throws all this at me but did I make the right decision and could I have avoided these conditions by sailing deeper south a few days ago? Anyway, I can’t park the boat and get into a taxi and ride home, to get to the finish I have to negotiate this weather and hope there is better to come. Regards, Fedor”.
Position: 46,5.12S , 74,45.21E
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 25 deg.
UTC Time: 2008. 22 April 08.

Fedor is still in the grip of easterly winds that is restricting his ability to make progress east. In the last 48 hours Fedor has sailed many miles but has advanced only 20 nm east. Fedor will be looking for the forecast NW winds to arrive soon. Mother Nature is showing who is boss with little pity for our intrepid solo sailor.
Position: 46,39.48S , 74,28.10E
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 19 deg.
UTC Time: 1301. 22 april 08.
Wind 30 knots ESE - FEDOR OK.

Variable wind direction has pushed Fedor from sailing almost due south to near due north over the past 12 hours.
Position: 47,54.14S , 74,7.24E
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 10 deg.
UTC Time: 0051. 22 April 08.
Wind -30-35-30-knots  ESE - FEDOR OK.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Fedor’s wind should be clocking to SE for a time, before backing through E and NE as it weakens and becomes NNE and increases.  So I suggest that he try for some northing again as the wind clocks. As for the timing:  Fedor can start the northing as soon as he feels that the wind and seas will support a course that has some north in it, but avoids much westing. Fedor should be able to climb back north of 47S before heading ESE again in freshening NNE wind, and might even get close to 46S. 
22 April 08/0000 UTC: ESE 25-30 knots, 0300 UTC: ESE 20-25 (heading north again?), 0600 UTC: ESE/SE 20 knots, 1800 UTC: SE 10-15 knots.
23 April 08/0000 UTC: ESE 5-10 knots becoming NE 5 knots, 1800 UTC: NNE 25 knots.
24 April 08/0000 UTC: N 35 gusting 45 knots, 0600 UTC: N 40 knots gusting 50 knots.

Fedor is forced to head south on easterly winds.
Position: 46,57.52S , 73,52.24E
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 157 deg.
UTC Time: 1129. 21 April 08.
Wind 25 knots E- FEDOR OK.

Report from Fedor 20 April 08. “Last night we rounded Kerguelen from the North in quite comfortable conditions. I built up plenty of sea room between dry land and the boat so there were no unpleasant surprises. In fact this archipelago created a smooth sea state to the north and the SW swells dropped down to 4-5 meters height only. Acting as a huge breakwater it calmed the Southern Ocean and we benefited greatly. Good sailing conditions. That was the last island on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The next dry land is Western Australia.  The weather pattern ahead is complicated. Lee Bruce recommends a SE heading towards 49 S. Cold again! I was hoping that after Kerguelen I will not sail below 47 South but it seems we need to “dive deep south” one more time. All is fine on board the good ship Alye Parusa. She is in great shape and the rudder repairs are holding perfectly but with 2000 miles to go – anything may happen. I caught myself thinking about what I will do next this year. I have many plans but at the same moment I said – “Fedor – stop! It is not over yet and you are in the middle of the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean”. Back to work – the wind is shifting and easing. Another sleepless night ahead. Position: 46,54.36S, 71,48.8E.  Regards Fedor”.

Fedor through his ship to shore updates is sharing with us his experience completing the inaugural solo circuit of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Fedor’s riveting descriptions of the harsh conditions, the cold, the beauty, and awesome power of Nature in the environs of Antarctica are enjoyed by all. For us on shore it’s difficult, near impossible, to fully imagine the demands on Fedors mental and physical powers of endurance. Maybe not since the ‘Heroic Age’ of exploration of Antarctica in the early years of the previous century has modern man weathered the conditions below latitude 45 South for so long unaccompanied and totally self-sufficient at sea. On behalf of people around the world following Fedors progress we wish Fedor fair winds over the next two weeks to get him home to the finish line and completion of a historic achievement.

Estimated times of arrival (ETA) based on Fedor's average daily run over past 86 days.
ETA GATE 17 SANDERS GATE (90E) - 25/26 April 08.
ETA Racetrack EXIT GATE (105E) - 29/30 April 08.
ETA FINISH LINE King George Sound Albany (118E) - 4/5 May 08.

21 April 08. 0000 UTC. From weather router Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
The overall pattern for the coming seven days near 45S, 105E: SW to NW 20+knots.
Unfortunately, Fedor was unable to get as far to the SE as I had hoped.
The forecast assumes southing (heading due south when possible), until about 22^nd April 08 /1800 UTC - 23^rd April 08/0000 UTC, when Fedor should be able to head north again:
21 April 08/0000 UTC: SW 10 knots, 0006 UTC: ESE 7-12 knots, 1200 UTC: NE 15-20 knots.
21 April 08/ 1800 UTC: ENE 20-25 knots, 0000 UTC: ESE 15-20 knots (near 48S; switch to starboard tack if waves allow).
22 April 08/0600 UTC: SE 20 knots, 1200 UTC: Variable <10 knots.
23April 08/0000 UTC: Becoming NNE 15 knots.

Clearing Kerguelen Island.
“After a period of light and variable winds shifting from N to E to S and absolutely chaotic seas we are sailing in a powerful weather pattern with winds from the SSW. It’s extremely cold and I can’t breathe freely on deck. Frozen air is burning my lungs and I need to wear a handmade scarf to protect my face. Heavy snow makes it very hard to work in the cockpit. Although it’s late in April it feels like mid winter. Either I’m getting tired or indeed winter is here. Waves are monstrously big which is typical for SW storms. A few days ago I had 48 hours of NW gale force winds but the sea was 5-6 meters, but after 12 hours of SW winds the seas have built up to 8-9 meters and keep rising. With NW waves the boat is sailing and surfing but with SW waves the boat is climbing up long hills. After spending nearly 3 months in the Southern Ocean below 45 South I still can’t get used to the power and size of the SW swell. I compare it like this: in a NW gale you experience ‘Alps’ waves, in SW gales you experience ‘Himalaya’ waves and the difference is big.
Thanks to Lee Bruce’s weather routing tactics we are on the right side of the low pressure system and are now sailing away from Kerguelen with 45+ knots of wind at 130-140 degrees to the starboard side of the boat. My task is to get to 46’30 South to avoid the worse of the shoaling. Kerguelen has a very wide and shallow plato with some areas only 120 meters deep. That’s very shallow for Southern Ocean conditions, for example right now I have 2,500 meters under my keel and 8 meter waves.  Imagine when these masses of water over two kilometers deep meet a shoaling only 200 meters deep – it will bring very steep waves with near vertical walls. It’s like riding a rollercoaster and the boat may end up broaching severely with damaging consequences. In those conditions there is nothing you can do so we must do our best to stay north and sail above the shoaling.  Overall things are good on board. The Southern Ocean keeps testing my yacht and gives me some hard times as well but this is all part of the game and I don’t feel that it does it intentionally. Kerguelen Island was here a million years ago as well as gale force winds. I have to adapt to every weather patters and live with that. It’s all in the power of Nature. I came here to witness this unique environment and learn something for myself. The Southern Ocean is vast but every journey has its end and I can feel that we are on the final stretch.   Regards Fedor”.

20 April 08 0000 UTC. From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Fedor did an excellent job of working to get over the north side of the shoaling—just in time to attack the next weather problem: headwinds. To avoid the worst of the headwinds means sailing into a section of light wind, and perhaps down to near 49S, so the choices aren’t great.  At times, Fedor will have to suffer through very light wind as he waits for the breeze to return. The forecast assumes an average heading of 105-115T from 20 April /0600 UTC to about 48 30S, 75 30E, before climbing N and NE again.
20 April 08/0600 UTC: SW 25-30 knots, 1200 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots.
21 April 08/0000 UTC: SSW 10, becoming SE 5 knots, 0600 UTC: ENE 10 knots, 1200 UTC: ENE 13-18 knots (on port tack, sailing as high as wind/sea allow), 1800 UTC: E 20-25 knots (near 48 30S; E gale at 47S, so this is the lesser evil)
22 April 08/0000 UTC: ESE 15-20 knots (on starboard tack), 0600 UTC: SE 15 knots.  Wind weakens and clocks, becoming NNW by 23 April 08/1200 UTC.”

Position: 47,45.63S , 66,2.61E
Speed: 9 knots, Course:80 deg.
UTC Time: 1004. 19 April 08.
Wind 30-35-knots-SW FEDOR OK.
Fedor is on track to clear Kerguelen island keeping around 75 nm to the north but is unlikely to avoid an area of shoaling on his current path which may effect wave patterns in the area.

Kerguelen Islands is also known as 'Desolation Island' so named due to the lack of trees on the barren landscape.

19 April 0000 UTC. Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
The latest data suggest that Fedor will be able to clear Kerguelen, but maybe not the shoaling north of the island.
19 April 08/0000 UTC: S 30 knots, 0600 UTC: SW 25-30 knots, 1800 UTC: SW 30 -35 knots.
20 April 08/0600 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots, 1200 UTC: WSW 20 knots.
21 April 08/0000 UTC: SSW 10-15 knots.

As accurately predicted by Lee Bruce Fedor is experiencing light and variable headwinds expected to intensify before backing to the SSW over next 24 hours.  Fedor will be frustrated with the boat direction and boat speed but all is necessary to clear the last physical obstacle between him and the finish line in King George Sound.

Position: 49,5.36S , 63,6.56E
Speed: 4 knots, Course: 39 deg.
UTC Time: 0650 UTC. 18 April 08.
Wind 5-10-5-knots -E- NE- ESE - FEDOR OK.

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“The last position I have for Fedor was at 1600 UTC.  I am assuming that he has been able to get some additional northing—better than his 58T heading at that time.
The good wind direction for northing comes with light wind speed, so progress will be limited. But I still think that Fedor will be able to make it to a position north of the Kerguelen Island shoaling.  After that, the forecast shows very changeable winds, including headwinds.  But we need to focus on Kerguelen for the moment.
The forecast assumes aiming for 46 45N, 65 00E, which is a continuation of the aiming point of 48N 64E from yesterday’s forecast.  Fedor may end up sailing west of that line, which is fine; but I hope he can avoid going much east of that path:
18 April 08/0600 UTC: Light and variable becoming NE 5 knots, 1200 UTC: NE 5 knots becoming to ESE to SE 25 knots, 1800 UTC: ESE to SE 25 knots becoming SSE 30-35 knots  gusting  40 knots.
19 April 08/0000 UTC: SSE 30-35 gusting 40 knots, 0600 UTC: SSW 30 knots, 1200 UTC: SW 30-35 knots.
20 April 08/0000 UTC: SW 25-30 knots, 0600 UTC: SW 15 knots.
Becoming NE 25 knots by 21 April /0000 UTC, and I’m hoping that Fedor will be near 46 00 to 46 30S and 70E at this time”.

This position report just received. The course bearing indicates Fedor is making his way to pass north of Kergeulen Island now some 250 nautical miles ahead seeking more favourable wind and sea conditions to avoid shoaling north of the island.

Position: 49,43.22S , 62,7.29E
Speed: 7 knots,
Course: 58 deg.
UTC Time: 1625 UTC. 17 April 08.
Wind-15-20 knots -NW-WNW -FEDOR OK.

DAY 82. Fedor crossed GATE 16 (60E) on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack at 0258 (est.) 17 April 08. Elapsed time between GATE 15 TABARLY GATE and GATE 16 is 7 Days, 12 Hours, 8 Minutes (est.). Next gate GATE 17 - SANDERS GATE is at 90E.

17 April 0005 UTC. From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather. “This is probably the most difficult weather scenario that Fedor has faced. Persistent NNW wind has driven Fedor south of east over the past 24 hours. As he approaches Kerguelen Island, the weather pattern will be in tremendous flux. And the forecast has been changing as to the movement of the primary features. If we were dealing just with the weather, it would not be so difficult. But adding the large land and shoaling of Kerguelen adds a very big problem to the mix. I looked at leaving Kerguelen to port as well also to starboard. Heading to the south of Kerguelen would be easier at first, but it places Fedor about 120 nm southeast of Kerguelen as the wind builds from the SSE and SSW (to gale strength)—forcing Fedor toward the island unless he can manage a port tack in that wind and in those waves. And if he can’t, he has no place to go. So that means leaving Kerguelen to starboard. But getting north won’t be so easy. To leave Kerguelen to starboard, Fedor will have to climb steeply to the NNE, and will have to tangle with a fast-moving low. And after all of that, another quick low will run through his area, bringing a threat of easterly wind. But as difficult as the next few days will be, it is better to take this option than to risk it to the south of Kerguelen. The forecast assumes aiming for 48N 64E, even if it means a heading west of north at times:
17 April 08/0000 UTC: NNW 40-45knost gusting 50 knots becoming NW 20-25 knots. 1200 UTC: NW 20-25 knots becoming W to WSW 15 knots. 18 April 08/000 UTC: WSW 15 knots becoming light and variable. (Hopefully at least as far north as 48 30S and west of 64E). 1200 UTC: NE to SE 25 knots. 1800 UTC: Low very close by, moving ESE. Becoming S 40 knots gusting 50 knots.”
Wave and sea surface temperature at Fedor’s current position:

DAY 82. 0000 UTC. Weather router and solo sailor are now working in tandem to choose the best options for passing Kerguelen island in severe and dangerous conditions. Fedor's boat experiencing some wear and tear after 82 days at sea.
From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“There is no good opportunity for northing over the coming 24 hours. Strong NW to NNW wind is expected for the entire time.
17 April 08 /0000 UTC: NNW 40 knots gusting 50 knots becoming NW 20 knots.
What worries me most is a N-E strong gale showing to the east and southeast of Kerguelen Island on the 21 April. Fedor will need to work hard at limiting his drift south so that he can pass to the north of Kerguelen and avoid that strong headwind. And his prize for accomplishing that still could be 50+ knot winds-but at least it would be from the west. Staying north of Kerguelen looks best, preferably no more south than 47S, to avoid the worst shoaling. Even that course should have some headwinds, but the duration would be shorter and less severe than if Fedor passes south of Kerguelen. A very active pattern, with multiple strong lows moving from W to E or NW to SE at 30 knots. Planning a route beyond the next 36-48 hours is tough because of all the variables”.
Fedor reports: “We are sailing in a very powerful weather pattern that pushes us to E-S-E. The sea is getting very rough. The wind force is not a problem but if I sail too close to the northern side of Kerguelen Island I may experience very high seas on the shoaling. If I dive to 50S I get gale force head winds south east of Kerguelen. There are not many options. The plan for the next 24 hours is to sail as close to the wind as possible but with wind waves the boat gets plenty of kicks from the sea with rolling seas crashing on deck.
During the night I had a bit of a technical problem. The cover on the spectra furling line chafed and jammed in the block on the bow. I didn’t notice it until in the night the wind increased to 50 knots and I tried to furl the staysail but it was jammed. This 70M2 staysail at 50 knots and low temperature feels like piece of stiff plywood. Working on the bow with zero visibility with the boat constantly crashing into waves was a dangerous matter and I decided to leave the staysail open until morning. Later today I had to pull 30 meters of furling line from the drum and change ends leaving the damaged part in the cockpit. While working the staysail was open with no furling line on the drum with the wind steady at 40+ knots. Working on the bow was like riding a wild mustang. The simple job of swapping ends of the line on the furling drum in these conditions and low temperature took 3 hours. Now the technical side is under control. The weather is not on our side. I hope Lee will push the right buttons and we will get a better forecast! Regards, Fedor”.

At 1040 UTC 15 April 08 Fedor reported his position as 48,26.21S , 52,19.11E which puts him south of the French owned Crozet Archipelago.
“The boat keeps sailing alongside latitude 48S. I hope the weather will be cooperative. My plan is to sail north of Kerguelen Island, leaving it to starboard. I really would like to avoid going below 50S as the cold there would be unbearable. It may shorten the distance but it brings extreme conditions. Although I have not met any icebergs after Cape Horn it would not surprise me to learn that there are some icebergs drifting below 50S. I don’t need to take this gamble. With less then 3,000 miles to Albany I prefer not to take risks as simply being in these waters presents enough hazards to a sailing vessel and the solo yachtsman. My task now is to complete the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and get to Albany under sail.
The weather is unstable. The wind is rising and falling from 25 knots to 40 knots and back to 25 knots. It’s very hard to balance the boat. Plenty of exercise on deck. There is no power in the wind flow, the boat is not moving at the speed it would normally sail. It feels like we are sailing against a current - hope it is temporary. Best regards, Fedor”. 

From Bob Williams at Antarctica Cup Ocean Race headquarters:
"Today is Day 80 that Fedor Konyukhov has been on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
Whilst we nor Fedor expected he would run over his forecast of 60 days to complete a circuit of the Racetrack to such an extent we are in awe of his tenacity and capacity to weather the conditions with yet another 19 days to run before the anticipated crossing of the Finish Line around 4th May. Fedor has at no time 'run-for-cover' and has demonstrated constant determination to complete the racetrack within the rules and the spirit of the competition taking the challenge head-on regardless of what weather has been thrown at him and regardless of the low temperatures he has endured and currently is enduring.
We do not expect that future competitors will be on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack for so long. Fedor has provided us with the opportunity to collect invaluable data that we can pass on to future competitors with a log of wind strength, wind direction, and sea conditions across every Sector of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and iceberg information for those Racetrack Sectors where icebergs are present. Fedor will have much to share with future competitors on every aspect of preparation and the safe navigation of a circuit of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Fedor is proving it can be done.
This final stretch that Fedor is on is an anxious time for us all. With 3,200 nautical miles yet to cover we are all conscious that the Indian Ocean can deliver the weary solo sailor ferocious storms to equal anything that the South Pacific or South Atlantic Ocean may serve up. Both man and boat are stretching the limits with possibly no solo sailor ever having endured so long non-stop below latitude 45 south. We hope that the example Fedor is setting will inspire others to bring their monohulls and multihulls and participate and conquer what is without question the most challenging yacht racetrack on the planet".

14 Apr 2345 UTC. Weather Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather.
15 April 08/0000 UTC: NW 35-40 knots gusting 45-50 knots.
15 April 08/0600 UTC: W 25-30 knots.
15 April 08/1200 UTC: WNW 30 knots.
15 April 08/1800 UTC: NNW 30 knots.
16 April 08/0000 UTC: NW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.
16 April 08/1200 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.
16 April 08/1800 UTC: NNW 40 knots gusting 50 knots.
17 April 08/0000 UTC: NNW 40 knots gusting 50 knots becoming NW 20 knots.

13 Apr 2330 UTC. Weather Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
The forecast assumes a long-term goal of at least 47S, to avoid the worst of the Kerguelen shoaling.
14 April 08/1200 UTC: NW 20-25 knots.
14 April 08/15-1800 UTC: shifting to WSW 30-35 knots with front.
14 April 08/1800 UTC: WSW to SW 40 gusting 50 knots.
15 April 0800/0000 UTC: WSW 35-40 knots gusting 45 knots.
15 April 08/0600 UTC: WSW to W 30-40 knots.
15 April 08/1200 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots.
15 April 08/1800 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots.

Today the weather in Albany, Western Australia, is nothing short of perfect. Whether you’re a member of the seal colony on Breaksea Island, tourists enjoying the beaches and crystal clear waters, those fishing the sound for King George Whiting, or simply taking in the coastal landscape today’s weather in Albany  is as good as it gets. Everything living will be enjoying today – with tomorrow expected to be the same. Support crew and followers of competitors in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race will not want to leave this place – ask Oscar Konyukhov and family! The image below is looking from the Marine Drive across King George Sound and the entry to Princess Royal Harbour.

Within the next 24 hours Fedor will sail some 60 nautical miles to the south of the Crozet Islands located in the Outside Lane of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
The Crozet Islands are French territory, part of Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises (French Southern Antarctic Territories, located at 45°57' to 46°30'S : 50°20' to 52°35'E and consist of five islands in two island groups: Ile aux Cochons with Ilots des Apôtres and Ile des Pingouins; Ile de la Possession and Ile de l'Est.
The group located across 100 kilometres of ocean covers 325 km² with the highest elevation being Pic Marion-Dufresne (1090 m) on Ile de l'Est.
The first sighting and landing took place in 1772 by French navigator Marion-Dufresne and like many sub-Antarctic islands was heavily exploited by sealers in the 1800’s. A scientific station was established in 1963 and has been occupied permanently since carrying out meteorological, seismic, geological and biological research.
There is an offshore anchorage only. The Crozets are visited several times a year by the Marion Dufresne, the world's biggest and most sophisticated oceanographic research vessel, bringing supplies and rotating crews of scientists at the permanent base (Alfred-Faure) on Île de la Possession). Rain occurs 300 days a year. The maximum temperature is 18°C with a minimum of 5°C. The image below is of the scientific research facility located on Ile de la Possession:

Report from Fedor 1900 UTC 12 April 08. “Last night we crossed 37’30E – the Moscow meridian. Now I’m in the same time zone as my relatives and friends in the Russian capital although when it’s still daylight in Moscow here in the Southern Ocean it’s already dark as we are late in Austral Autumn (March-May). The days are becoming shorter and the nights longer. Another event happened this night – we passed south of Prince Edward and Marion Islands. The first islands met in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. I had to dive south to stay with the wind and also avoid the shoaling area near these islands. These islands are called ‘Foggy Albion’. I have no plan to see the islands but still was looking toward the direction of this land. Lots of birds around today which is a clear sign that land is nearby. I’ve not seen dry land since Cape Horn. Here at 47’30S it’s freezing cold! Frost is on the deck and I can’t touch the winch handles without gloves. On the pilot chart this area is marked as “heavy fog region” and this is correct – very thick fog, visibility seriously affected, with less than a mile and worse – very wet air. I have water running from the sails, mast, deck and even clothes. These low temperatures create icy and slippery conditions on deck. Next islands are Crozet and then Kerguelen -the ‘Cape Horn’ of the Indian Ocean. The weather can be very rough there. I experienced my worse storm near Kerguelen in 1991 sailing on board the yacht ‘Karaana’. I was caught in a 7 day storm. The wind was gusting up to 70 knots, no clouds, sun, and spray across the surface – an unreal image. I still remember those days. Hope this time we pass in better weather. We have less than 3,500 miles to Albany – this is the trans-Atlantic distance which is very well known to me. The boat is in good shape, all systems are working fine. Regards, Fedor”.

Here is a timeline chart to show how the wind changes over the coming week:

This timeline is for a single point at 47S 50E (Near Crozet Islands), and shows how the wind shifts from day to day.
Wind speeds listed on the graphic should be considered minimum speeds, and they do not include gusts. For instance, the wind forecast for 12 April/18Z is 320/27kt. But we should assume 30-35 knot gusting 40 knot for that time. The good news is that 50 knot wind does not seem likely, based on the latest data.
For the approach to Crozet, the primary wind direction is 300-320T. If we assume that Fedor is near Crozet on the 14th, the forecast suggests a shift from that NW wind to WSW for 12-18 hours. In case that WSW wind is delayed, the Crozet approach should make allowances for NW wind.

Destination, Distance to travel, Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

• MARION ISLAND to Port – 110 nm. ETA 11/04/08.
• CROZET ARCHIPELAGO to Port – 700 nm. ETA 15/04/08.
• GATE 16 – 1,000 nm. ETA 17/04/08.
• KERGUELEN ISLAND to Port – 1,390 nm. ETA 18/04/08.
• HEARD & MACDONALD Islands to Starboard – 1,500 nm. ETA 20/04/08.
• GATE 17 SANDERS GATE – 2,100 nm. ETA 24/04/08.
• GATE 18 – Racetrack Exit Gate – 3,000 nm. ETA 29/04/08.
• FINISH LINE, King George Sound, Albany– 3,800 nm. – 04/05/08.

Position: 46,40.56S , 34,33.17E
Speed: 5 knots, Course: 133 deg.
UTC Time:2215. 10 April 08.
Wind 5-10-8 -knots SSW-WSW - FEDOR OK .

10 Apr 2325 UTC. From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
The forecast assumes leaving Marion Island to port, on an average heading of 105T through 12 April 08/06Z00 UTC (near 47 30 S, 40 00E), then more easterly:
11 April 08/0600 UTC: NW 15-20 Knots.
11 April 08/1200 UTC: NW 20-25 Knots.
12 April 08/0600 UTC: NW 25-30 Knots.
12 April 08/1800 UTC: SW 20-25 knots.
13 April 08/0000 UTC: WNW 15-20 knots.
13 April 08/1200 UTC: NW 35-40 gusting 50 knots.

 “Yesterday we had one of the best days - steady winds, nice long swell, plenty of albatrosses. I was thinking there are 6 .5 billion people on this planet and how lucky am I to be here in this ocean to witness this beautiful world. I think more people have been into space than have sailed solo in the Southern Ocean. It’s hard to believe but with almost the entire Indian Ocean to the finish line – I’m already missing these latitudes. Will I ever sail pass Cape Horn again? Or traverse the South Atlantic again? These are questions I ‘m asking myself – not “how many miles to the finish line” as others may think. I’ve enjoyed every day out here and have this deep concern; if I already miss this environment how will I feel once I get back to Moscow? It’s a life changing experience even for me.  I imagine it can be a great challenge for young sailors who will take part in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event in the future and sail this magnificent Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Regards, Fedor”.

Fedor is approaching Marion Island and Prince Edward Island located in the OUTSIDE LANE of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Marion Island (46° 54’ 45S, 37° 44’ 37E) is 290 square kilometres in area with the nearby Prince Edward Island (46° 38’ 39S, 37° 56’ 36E) is 45 square kilometres. These volcanic islands were discovered by the Dutch in 1663 with the first recorded landing by sealers in 1803. In 1947 South Africa annexed the islands and installed a meteorological research station on Marion Island now under the administration of the South African National Antarctic Programme with scientists and technicians stationed on the island. Marion Island is no holiday destination – today’s weather forecast is a minimum of 2° C, maximum 8° C, winds 30 mph from WNW. Marion Island weather in a nutshell: Strong winds blow almost every day of the year with the prevailing wind from the NW. Annual rainfall is 3,000mm. Rain occurs 320 days a year with snow storms. It is the cloudiest place in the world.

GATE 15 – TABARLY GATE. GATE 15 is named after ÉRIC TABARLY (1931 – 1998) a notable French sailor. A former officer in the French navy who is often considered the father of French yachting, Tabarly was a record-setting distance sailor who won several notable races aboard his boats, all named Pen Duick. He was lost at sea when struck by a gaff during heavy swell and knocked overboard from his yacht while on the way to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Tabarly was a two-time champion of the OSTAR, winning in 1964 for which he was awarded the Légion d'honneur — and again in1976. He competed twice in the ‘Whitbread Round the World Race’, finishing second in 1973 and seventh in 1993.
GATE 15 crossed at 1450 UTC, 09 April 08. Elapsed time between GATE 14 and GATE 145 - 2 Days, 11 Hours, 20 Minutes.

Fedor Konyukov - ‘Ultimate Ironman’.
56 years of age. 75 days since crossing the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race Start Line on 26 January 2008. 60 of those days sailing his 86 foot aluminium racing yacht solo non-stop below the Antarctic Polar Convergence. Rain, hail, snow, traversing the most iceberg infested oceans on the planet, fog, gales, and massive waves. Sleep deprivation, gear failure, and crucial repairs at sea. Temperatures between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius day after day. Totally self sufficient. 25 more days of the same yet to endure.
Surely Fedor Konyukov, mountaineer, trekker, yachtsman, deserves the title – ‘Ultimate Ironman’.

GATE 15 near and into the ‘home straight’ of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
Race control is waiting confirmation but it is expected that Fedor crossed longitude 28E this morning and the three - quarter mark of the Racetrack. Fedor is now in the ‘home straight’ but the Indian Ocean is not to be taken lightly. Several dismasting accidents have occurred in this stretch of ocean in recent times. GATE 15 - TABARLY GATE is just ahead.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
The coming week should bring wind speeds from calm to 50+ knots along the course, so Fedor will get a workout. The sub-5 knot wind should be with a high-pressure centre near 46S, 34E at 11 April 08/0000 UTC, and would last about 12 hours if it catches Fedor. To avoid the calms, Fedor needs to work south toward 47, 30S by 10 April 08/1200-1800 UTC. That should be possible in periods of W to WSW 20-25 knot wind. Even at 47S – 47, 30S, Fedor may have to endure several hours of wind less than 10 knots, but at least it should not go to zero. That 47, 30S plan would set Fedor up for leaving Marion Island to port.
09 April 08/0600 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots, 1800 UTC: Becoming W 20-25 knots.
10 April 08/0000 UTC: W 20-25 knots, 0600 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots, 1200 UTC: WSW 15 knots.
10 April 08/1800 UTC: WSW 10 knots. 11 April 08/0000 UTC: NW 10 knots, 0600 UTC: NW 15-20 knots.

Satellite telephone conversation with Fedor relayed from Fedor’s shore team.
“We are continuing to sail in a powerful weather pattern with wind up to 45 knots. Massive swell is pushing the boat towards the east. Deck light bulb burnt out but I don’t need a light in the cockpit - I know every rope by size and texture of the cover. Today switched from AOR-E to Indian Ocean satellite for Sat-C terminal. My Inmarsat mobile number is registered in the Indian Ocean. I’m progressively getting closer to Albany. I reckon there are another 3 weeks to the finish line. I will have to stay below 45 South which means getting home does not mean getting to warmer waters. I’ll have to come up sharp from the South to round the 110E way point and head to Albany. I can feel as we get close to the finish the weather will get harder and colder but we have toughened up sailing the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and the boat is in good shape. All day we’ve had rain or wet snow. I can count all the sunny days I’ve had since the start 74 days ago. That’s OK – I will get plenty of sunshine in Albany. I’m in a good mood on the road home.
Regards – Fedor”.

Divisions of contest on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.

• Solo monohull (above 60 feet).
• Solo monohull (60 feet and less).
• Solo multihull.
• Crewed monohull.
• Crewed multihull.
• Production sailboat monohull.
• Production sailboat multihull.
• Nations vs Nation (crew same nationality) monohull, multihull.
• All Female Crew.
• Disabled Crew.
• For inquiries contact rwilliams@antarcticacup.com

07 Apr 2335 UTC Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Strong WNW winds should continue for the next 24 hours.
08 April 08/0000 UTC-1800 UTC: WNW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.
09 April 08/0000 UTC: W 20-25 knots.
09 April 08/0600 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots.
09 April 08/1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots.
09 April 08/1800 UTC: W 20-25 knots.
10 April 08/0000 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots.

6 Degrees from the home straight.
Fedor is expected to reach longitude 28°E within the next 36 hours which will place him within 90° of longitude from the finish line in Albany (118E) and on the home straight to the finish line. ETA Albany 4^th May 08.

Day 72 of the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event Fedor Crosses GATE 14 and establishes a world record within the record.
Fedor crossed GATE 14 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack at 0337 UTC (est.) on 07 April 2008. In so doing Fedor becomes the first solo sailor to sail non-stop from Cape Horn (GATE 8, 67E) across the South Atlantic Ocean to the junction of the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean (GATE 14 20E) keeping below longitude 45° South. Distance sailed 3,750 nautical miles, elapsed time 25 days, 15 Hours, 42 Minutes. Congratulations Fedor.

(Elapsed time GATE 13 to GATE 14 - 2 Days, 03 Hours, 37 Minutes). Distance sailed since Start on 26 January 08 is 11,500 nautical miles.

Fedor has crossed south of the Cape of Good Hope (34° 21S, 18° 28E). The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. There is a very common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, but in fact the southernmost point is Cape Agulhas, about 150 kilometres to the southeast (20°E). However, when following the coastline from the equator, the Cape of Good Hope marks the psychologically important point where one begins to travel more eastward than southward. Thus the rounding of the cape in 1488 was a major milestone in the attempts by the Portuguese to establish a sea route to the Far East.
From Fedor: “This night Open 85 “Trading Network Alye Parusa” crossed the longitude of Cape of Good Hope, the second time in this navigation season (previous crossing was on 16^th of December 2007). The boat is sailing in a powerful storm with gusts up to 45 knots, heavy snow and up to 10 meters swell and waves. We are about to enter the Indian Ocean (20East). It’s unusual to be sailing twice in the same season in the Indian Ocean. Normally the Atlantic is a transition ocean for yachts racing around the world from Europe but since the the Antarctica Cup starts in Albany, WA, the boat has to navigate these waters twice if you sail from Europe to the event start line. The difference is big as coming back into the Indian Ocean in April brings the heavy weather of the Austral Autumn”.

Position: 45,49.34S , 19,20.66E
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 89 deg.
UTC Time: 0106. 07 April 2008.
Wind  30-35-gusting 40-45 knots SW - FEDOR OK.

This report places Fedor only 3-4 hours sailing away from crossing GATE 14 and exiting the SOUTH ATLANTIC ZONE and entering the INDIAN OCEAN ZONE of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.

Sat phone session with Fedor Konyukhov. Still sailing below the Polar Convergence:
“The weather is unstable, 25 knots followed by 45 knot squalls and its snowing. It’s difficult to tune the boat as 25 knots requires a bigger sail area but sudden gale force squalls force me to reduce the sails to the minimum. Southern winds bring very cold air and its freezing!
I sleep one hour after every four hours watch. My sleep time averages a cumulative 4-5 hours per 24 hours. I try to sleep more during the day when it’s a little warmer and I can relax a bit. The nights are difficult. With sudden gusts it’s easier to bring the boat under control when you’re fully awake and in full storm gear rather than jumping out of the sleeping bag and trying to figure out what happened. From sunset to sun rise  I'm an 'owl' not leaving the navigation station monitoring the area around the boat for icebergs.
My morning routine starts with a boat inspection. I check deck gear, winches, blocks, standing rigging, running rigging, rudder tillers, and then I go below and check autopilots, batteries, ballast valves and inlets, engine and generator inlets, water pumps, steering cables, and more. It’s very hard to conduct repairs here; my task is to spot a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. I rely on my boat 100% as it’s my only protection against the brutal conditions outside the boat.
I man the helm, switch off the autopilots, and start the generator to charge the batteries. If the wind is above 30 knots the wind-driven generators allow me not to use the diesel generators for three days. I have plenty of fuel. Both wind generators are working fine and I have ‘sustainable source of energy’.
After a couple hours on deck, weather permitting, it’s time to cook something hot. Normally I have oats, porridge, or rice with raisins or spaghetti. I have some fish and meat tins but they are tasteless. I provisioned the boat in Falmouth, Cape Town, Albany but the food regardless of the country of origin tastes the same. With mega brands dominating the world you don’t get local flavour. With globalisation all products are under the same standards often under the same name. This is boring and the world is losing it’s individuality. In 100 years we may all become one big country. Here looking at albatrosses every bird is different, every wave is different, and every sunrise is unrepeatable. We must keep our uniqueness and be different. I like the quote from Jon Sanders: “Why live an ordinary life – be original”. It’s a great philosophy. It’s not necessary to sail around the world but be original in what you are doing, in art, music, science, and in business.
We are approaching the boundary where the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet. It’s good to have the racecourse gate way points to keep me busy with Gate 14 just ahead.
The wind is shifting to the South and I have to go on deck to trim sails. Talk to you later. Regards, Fedor”.

05 Apr 2345 UTC. Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“Lots of SSW to WSW wind for the near-term, and the long-range outlook has mostly WNW or NW wind for 8-11 April, so no headwinds are suggested between 45-50S for the coming week.  For the next 36 hours, wind speed should average 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.  Waves in the strong SW/WSW wind should be in the range of 6-7m, occasionally 8-9m.
06 April 08/0000 UTC: SW/SSW 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.
06 April 08/1200 UTC: SW 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.
06 April 08/1800 UTC: WSW 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.
07 April 08/0600 UTC: SW 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.
07 April 08/1800 UTC: W 20-25 knots.”

The latest satellite images provided by Polar View to Antarctica Cup Ocean Race management indicate that iceberg activity east of GATE 14 (20E) is minimal. Race control has lifted the ‘Code Red Iceberg Alert’ from the racetrack east of GATE 14 (20E). Antarctica Cup Ocean Race management acknowledges the invaluable contribution made by Polar View over the past six weeks in identifying icebergs located in all three racetrack lanes across the South Atlantic Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack:
Polar View is an earth observation (EO) or satellite remote-sensing program, led by Canadian engineering company C-CORE (www.c-core.ca), focused on both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Polar View is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission with participation by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It promotes the utilization of satellites for public good and in support of public policy in the areas of sustainable economic development, marine safety, and environment. The Polar View Team consists of companies, government agencies and research institutes across Europe and Canada and is likely the most experienced and comprehensive group in the world of polar EO experts. Polar View has participants from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. (www.polarview.org).

Weather Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather 04 April 2355 UTC:
“Conditions look relatively benign for at least the next 24 hours, with mostly WSW and SW wind. Gale strength WSW shows in the forecast from 06 April 08 / 1200 UTC.
05 April 08/0000 UTC: WSW 25-30 knots.
05 April 08/0600 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots.
05 April 08/1800 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots.
06 April 08 /0000 UTC: SW 25-30 knots.
06 April 08/ 0600 UTC: SW 30-35 knots.
06 April 08/1200 UTC – 07 April 08/0000 UTC: WSW 30-35 knots gusting 40-45 knots.
07 April 08 /1200 UTC: WSW 20-25
Lee”.

Position: 46,43.39S , 7,18.80E
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 83 deg.
UTC Time: 1316 UTC 04 March 08.
Wind 15-20-25 knots WNW - FEDOR OK.

For the love of adventure.
A recap of Fedors commitment to date to compete in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race and trail blaze the Antarctica Cup Racetrack establishing a benchmark for solo non-stop around the Racetrack:
Fedors yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ underwent an extensive refit in the Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, England, during the summer of 2007. The following is a log of Fedor’s journey to date:
Departed Falmouth 16^th December 07 bound for Albany, Western Australia,
Forced into Cape Town for repairs arriving Cape Town 10^th December 07.
59 DAYS SOLO (11,500 nautical miles). Six days stopover.
Departed Cape Town 16^th December 07 bound for Albany. Fedor’s son and project manager Oscar on board. Arrived Albany, Western Australia, 12^th January 08.
27 DAYS DUAL HANDED (4,700 nautical miles).
Fourteen days stopover in Albany preparing yacht for Antarctica Cup Ocean Race.
Crossed Start Line 26^th January 2008. As at 4^th April 08, Day 69 of the race.
69 DAYS SOLO (11,000 nautical miles).
Estimated time to Finish Line:
35 DAYS SOLO (4,600 nautical miles).
On completion of the circuit of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack Fedor will have completed:
190 DAYS AT SEA (31,800 nautical miles) since leaving Falmouth 16^th December 07.
163 DAYS SOLO (27,100 nautical miles).
210 DAYS overall, Falmouth to Cape Town to Albany to Albany with 20 days on land.
In the meantime Fedor will have established the benchmark for a solo non-stop circuit of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and make history as the first yachtsman to sail solo from Cape Horn to the south of Cape Agulhas below 45S and on and below the Polar Convergence. We wish Fedor well for a speedy and safe return to Albany.

Position: 46,49.73S , 6,36.28E
Speed: 7 knots, Course: 63 deg.
UTC Time:2107 03 March 08.
Wind 15-20 knots -S - FEDOR OK.

Sat phone sched with Fedor 0800 UTC.
“Good morning, We are just before the sun rise. Right now I’m experiencing north and periodically NNE winds that forces us to sail a more southerly course. My paper chart is full of red marks; this is how I colour the position of confirmed icebergs based on satellite tracking data provided by C-CORE and Polar View. I’m on ‘red alert’. Yes, it’s stressful here when you’re aware of ice location. Fatigue and sleep deprivation is taking place. Sailing solo in the Southern Ocean has one advantage – very little shipping traffic here - and with 2 Active Echo units (one on the mast one at the stern) I can detect ships at 5-6 miles range and take action. That assumes the other ship is operating their radar. Basically in the Southern Ocean you concentrate on sailing the wind shifts and wave direction which is easy enough to predict and work out. With the icebergs, especially bits less than 50 meters, I don’t have any reliable detection tools on board. I can only run my radar but the sea state is confused, waves around 4-5 meters, and frankly speaking – I do not get a very clear picture. This night was a good example: there were several objects on the screen that could be icebergs and I bore away from them not being 100% sure what they were. It is ‘blind navigation’. This is second time we are playing ‘Russian Roulette’ (last time it was in the Pacific where I reported 6 icebergs within 24 hours). The satellite tracking suggests that icebergs have traveled further North to 44 South so basically there is an icy fence from 44S to 54S and I need to navigate through the gaps. Regards, Fedor”.

Fedor recently reported a close encounter with a humpback whale.

'A sight never to be forgotten is to watch a humpback, apparently at play, lie on the surface with one giant scalloped flipper raised like a sail, then roll over with the flippers extended, for all the world like a child spinning with outstretched arms; and then to watch the slow sinuous dive followed, if you are lucky, by the whale's exploding from the water in a giant backward somersault leap - forty tons of airborne exuberant whale'. From 'Below The Convergence' by Alan Gurney.

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather: “This chart shows SW waves to come, after the front moves through. But residual WNW waves will persist for several hours after the front, combining with SW/SSW wind-driven seas to make for a confused wave pattern”.

Weather Forecast 02 Apr 2355UTC:
03 April 08./0000 UTC: Becoming light/variable as the front moves through, then filling in from the SSW after 0300 UTC.
03 April 08./0600 UTC: S 30-35 knots.
03 April 08/1200 UTC: S 30 knots becoming SSW 20 knots.
03 April 08./1800 UTC: S 25 knots then decreasing.
04 April 08./0000 UTC: SSW 15 knots.
04 April 08./0600 UTC: SW 15 knots, becoming WNW 20-25 knots.
04 April 08./1800UTC: WNW/NW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.

Sat phone sched 02 April 08 0800UTC. Fedor reports: “It is good to be back to my home hemisphere where we have both Moscow – home for me - and Albany home for the Antarctica Cup event. It’s a great feeling to have the vast distance of the Western Hemisphere behind the stern and at the same time it’s a little bit sad that I’m leaving this harsh and hostile but unique and incomparable environment - the home waters of Cape Horn. From now on we have another 118 degrees of longitude to Albany which I’ve broken into several stretches. First task is to sail through the iceberg range from 0°0’E to 15°0’E. We decided to round several confirmed icebergs leaving them to port and starboard. There should be a gap between two groups of confirmed icebergs and I want to navigate there. Once we clear this section, next is Cape of Good Hope. That leaves 100 degrees to Albany, another leg to Kerguelen Islands, and from there – the final stretch to Albany. All is well on board, steady wind and cooperative sea state. Regards, Fedor ”.

Having now crossed the Prime Meridian the next significant milestones for Fedor are avoiding icebergs located at 10E in SECTOR 13 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and crossing 20E into the Indian Ocean leaving behind ‘iceberg alley’ in the South Atlantic Ocean. From race control in Albany:
“Fedor has sailed 3,000 nautical miles since entering the South Atlantic Ocean Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack on March 03/08. To date Fedor has not reported sighting any icebergs and that’s the way we would like to keep it. Satellite scans have located an iceberg at 45.32S, 10.67E. We are unaware what ice there is north of 45S. Fedor will sail to the south of this iceberg. Within a matter of days Fedor, and all on shore, will be much relieved as Fedor exits this area of severe iceberg activity.

BouvetØya Island 54° 26'S, 03° 24'E sits in SECTOR 12 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Bouvetoya Island was first sighted in 1739, the first landing (by sealers) took place in 1822. The island is a Norwegian dependency and is the most isolated island on earth. The nearest substantial land mass is South Africa more than 1600 km away. Glaciers cover 93% of the 54 sq km island and prevent landings on the south and east coasts, while steep cliffs as high as 490 m block access to the north, west and southwest. Sometime between 1955 and 1958, a low-lying shelf of lava appeared on Bouvetoya's west coast, providing the only bird nesting site of any size on the island. The island is rarely visited, but two events in its history are rather mysterious. First, a sunken lifeboat and assorted supplies were discovered on the island in 1964, but their origin could not be determined. Then, in September 1979, a thermonuclear bomb blast was detected to the west of Bouvetoya, though no country ever admitted to setting off a nuclear device there.

The weather over the next 3 days appears to be in favour of Fedor negotiating a passage south to clear icebergs ahead.
Weather Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“The best chance for northing is through about 01 April 08/1800 UTC, but that depends on whether or not Fedor can sail on a port tack in the sea state. Another short opportunity arrives near 02 April 08/0600 UTC.  But it seems likely that Fedor will not be able to climb north of 45S, and may remain closer to 46S”.
01 April 08 /0600 UTC: SW 25-30 knots.
01 April 08 /1200 UTC: WNW 15 knots.
01 April 08 /1800 UTC: NW 30-35 gusting 45 knots.
02 April 08 /0600 UTC: WNW 25 knots.
02 April 08 /1200 UTC: NW 20-25 knots.
03 April 08/0000 UTC: NW 15-20 knots.

Fedor will achieve a major milestone in his journey around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack when he crosses the Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian), a short distance from his current position, and sails from the Western Hemisphere back into the Eastern Hemisphere.
A further 20 degrees of longitude covered will see Fedor become the first person to have sailed solo non-stop from the South Pacific Ocean, around Cape Horn, across the South Atlantic Ocean and into the Indian Ocean whilst keeping below 45 South and sailing on or below the Polar Convergence. But there are hazards ahead. A large iceberg has been located at 45.32S, 10.67E with more icebergs 90 nautical miles further south.

31^st March 2008, 2000 UTC. Sat phone session with Fedor. “The last 24 hours were extreme in many ways. First we had up to 55 knots of head winds that pushed the boat down to 46 South. The seas built up significantly and my ‘dry boat’ had plenty of water on deck and in the cockpit. I had to furl in the staysail and brought the boat as close on the wind as possible, but still we were heading 135°-140° COG which is towards the S-E and the confirmed iceberg location. Late in the morning the wind dropped from 50 to 10 knots and I thought I would get seasick (although I never experienced sea sickness). The waves were chaotic bumping and crashing onto the boat. I even said “sorry” to my boat that the ocean is crashing on her motionless hull and that there is nothing I could do. I was wasting my time trying to put some sails up – big swell and wind waves with light winds – always a bad combination, we were not moving. The top of the mast was flying from one side to another with 10 meters of amplitude.  It was like being in circus arena balancing on deck. Definitely the last 24 hours was pure frustration in terms of boat progress. Have not yet crossed the Greenwich Meridian! I thought I would be in the Eastern Hemisphere 2 days ago. Again the ocean brought some corrections into my schedule. I’ve had enough stress already but at the end of this day, when I was standing in starboard steering cockpit, a massive humpback whale came to the surface 15 meters away from me and discharged his oxygen less air with a terrifying sound and splash. If that would be during the night – someone can get a heart attack.  I even could feel the smell of its breath.  We’ve been beaten by 50+ knot head winds, wind waves; constant threat from icebergs and finally this giant mammal is rubbing shoulders alongside my boat. I had enough of events on deck. I switched ‘On’ the pilot and went below to put the kettle on. That is all - nothing major had happened. Forgot to mention about rain and drizzle with periods of heavy fog. Another glorious day in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Regards, Fedor”.

Across the centre of ‘Iceberg Alley’ but no icebergs sighted!
British adventurers Rob Gaunlett and James Hooper (the youngest westerners to scale mount Everest -at age 19 years) are on a 22,000 mile journey to travel between the North Magnetic Pole and the South Magnetic Pole – manpowered (www.180degrees.co.uk). The final leg of their journey is aboard the schooner ‘Blizzard’ with seven crew members. ‘Blizzard’ left Stanley in the Falkland Islands on March 3, 08 and arrived at the Prime Meridian on March 17, 08. Their journey across the South Atlantic Ocean followed an average course of 48S – through the centre of ‘Iceberg Alley’. Despite satellite data indicating over 2,500 large icebergs scattered across this section of the South Atlantic ‘Blizzard’ reporting sighting their first iceberg when close to the Prime Meridian (0W/0E)!

Day 65 into the Antarctica Cup Ocean race inaugural event.
From Fedor's conversations only a few of these days have been free from fog, sleet, hail, and snow. The few 'idyllic' sailing days have been described in romantic terms as days Fedor would like to live over again. The majority of days have been very, very, cold with limited amounts of sunshine. Add to this the cold and damp conditions below decks, the fear of icebergs, constant concern about gear failure, and we soon start to appreciate a little of what Fedor has endured for the past 65 days and will need to continue to endure for another 35 days or so. 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' is a tough vessel to sail - particularly single -handed. No heating or dry bunks here. This is as hard as it gets.
Only Fedor knows what he has endured to this point in time. We can only imagine but in reality what we imagine will likely fall far short of reality.
Such is the challenge of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Only for the hardy. 

Weather Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather.
Possible few hours of WNW/WSW 10 knots about 31/08-0800 UTC.  But wind along the front will be increasing as it moves through, so Fedor may not see that decrease.
31^st March 08. /0000 UTC: N to NNW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.
31^st March 08. /1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots.
31^st March 08. /1800 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots.
01^st April 08. /0000 UTC: SW 25-30 knots.
01^st April 08. /1200 UTC: WSW/WNW 10 knots.
01^st April 08. /1800 UTC: WNW 15 knots.
02^nd April 08. /0000 UTC: NW 30 knots.

1200 UTC 30 March 08. Daylight hours as Fedor fights the storm.

30 March 0950 UTC
Latest weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather.
“Here is the latest satellite-measured wind field:
The low pressure to Fedor's southwest is moving toward the southeast.
But another low is expected to develop along the front to his west, and will also pass to Fedor's starboard--but closer.
That scenario is what brings the risk of gale NNW to NNE wind indicated in the forecast. But the latest data suggest that maybe it won't be quite as strong as previously suggested.
Either way, it still is strong wind from an uncooperative direction for trying to get north, and it will last another 24 hours”.

Antarctica Cup race control received overnight information from Canadian company C-CORE providing iceberg tracking observations from Canadian Space Agency (CSA) RADARSAT-1 satellite. Thirty large icebergs have been located south of the section of the racetrack Fedor is now traversing. Oscar Konyukhov reports on sat phone conversation with Fedor 0709 UTC today.
“Hello. I just spoke to Fedor. He got our message with positions of icebergs on starboard side and very uncooperative weather forecast - strong NNE winds. He is already sailing close hauled and it is making 130 COG, so when wind gets to 40 knots Fedor will be sailing 145-150 COG or more. Heavy fog, drizzle, head winds, ARGOS not working and list of position of 15 icebergs starting from 46 South (these are confirmed icebergs, but how many unconfirmed are there?). He asked me - is this a bad joke? This head wind has come at the wrong time”.

Position: 45,31.22S , 9,26.33W
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 128 deg.
UTC Time: 0709. 30 March 08.
Wind 15-20 knots N-NNE FEDOR OK.

Fedor is currently sailing 280 nautical miles to the south of Gough Island (40° 19’S, 9° 55’W) located within the ‘Auxiliary Lane’ of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
Gough Island (also known historically as Diego Alvarez) is a volcanic island rising from the South Atlantic Ocean to heights of over 900 metres (2950 ft) above sea level with an area of 35 square miles. It is a dependency of Tristan da Cunha, which in turn is a dependency of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena. It is uninhabited except for the crew of a weather station which the South African National Antarctic Programme has maintained continually on the island since 1956. It is one of the most remote places with a constant human presence.  Gough and Inaccessible Island are a protected wildlife reserve, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has been described as one of the least disrupted ecosystems of its kind and one of the best shelters for nesting seabirds in the Atlantic. In particular, it is host to almost the entire world population of the Tristan albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) and the Atlantic Petrel (Pterodroma incerta).  However, this status is now in doubt as in April 2007 researchers published evidence that predation by introduced house mice on seabird chicks is occurring at levels that might drive the Tristan albatross and the Atlantic Petrel to extinction.  The RSPB has since been awarded £62,000 by the UK government's Overseas Territories Environment Programme to fund additional research on the Gough Island mice and a feasibility study of how best to deal with them. The grant will also pay for the assessment of a rat problem on Tristan da Cunha island.

Report from Fedor (29/03/08) 0700 UTC
“Just to give you brief update after the night. It is early morning here and we negotiated pretty heavy and powerful weather all night. The wind was gusting up to 50 knots. According to the forecast we are in the wing of a depression that centres deep South, but we only had 12 hours of gale. That’s the advantage to being up north – yes, we add more miles but reduce the chances of being hit by severe weather for a prolonged period. It was even exciting to see the storm come and go from the cockpit of my big and strong boat knowing that it will only last a short period. It would be a completely different feeling if I knew that we are in 3 days of storm. Here in the Southern Ocean it’s not the force of the wind that counts but the period of time it is blowing across the vast and uninterrupted surface creating dangerous conditions.

All is well on board and as Bob Williams said: “Fedor hug the 'outside rail' of the racecourse (45S)”. We are sailing alongside the Outside Lane and with the wind swinging from NW to SW we leave plenty of zigzags on the chart. I’m a bit concerned for NNE winds forecast for March 30. I hope it will stay more North rather than East. I have limited options in the current circumstances: sail north and cross the Racetrack boundary or sail south towards the iceberg zone. We will see how things develop. Regards, Fedor”
Forecast from Lee Bruce:
“As Fedor mentioned, the frontal shift will cause the wind to back, but the residual NW waves will make conditions difficult. The wind should already be changing, and although it will be strong, the worst will stay to Fedor’s southeast, as the low intensifies but moves south eastward away from him”.
He still should try to get in as much northing as possible, because the forecast has another 24+hrs worth of N/NNW wind, starting about 30/00Z.
29^th March 08 /0000 UTC: W 35 gusting 45-50; squalls; backing and gradually weakening.
29^th March 08 /0600 UTC: WSW 30-35, becoming WSW 20-25 knots.
29^th March 08 /12oo UTC: W 20-25 knots.

Position: 45,21.43S , 13,21.42W
UTC Time:0108 29 March 2008.
Speed: 10 knots, Course: 68 deg.
Wind 35-50-40- knots W. FEDOR OK.

An earlier report indicated that the satellite tracking beacons aboard ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ were unserviceable. This is partially correct. The following communication is from the beacons manufacturer:
“We would like to remind you that the Argos beacons MAR YX have two batteries each. The first battery being for the routine transmissions and the second battery is dedicated to the "alarm" mode. If Fedor has a serious problem and has to request assistance he can switch the alarm mode. Our 24 hours staff will detect the request and contact you by phone”.

28 March 08 1930 UTC “We had another fantastic night in the Southern Ocean. I never saw so many stars while sailing on the boat. Usually even in the clear night, there is a mist and a layer of humid air but last night we had frosty air and billions of stars. It was more typical of sky observation in the mountains. Virtually all the sky was sparkling. I was standing in the cockpit and looking on this dome of stars and felt that everything is in balance; Nature, the boat and my body and soul. It was very peaceful and I can feel an eternity. The ocean was smooth and the boat ‘lazy’ traveling east at 3-4 knots in 5 knots of wind which I can’t feel at all. We are surrounded by unusual mystical silence. It was just me, my boat and this vast ocean that is flat like a pond and no sounds. No ‘Roaring Forties’ tune.
Time does not matter here. I think I was paying attention to distance sailed only for the first 3 weeks, but from the mid South Pacific it seems like I have been living on the boat forever and only these 10 minutes sat phone sessions reminds me about the other world.
In the morning the deck was covered in heavy dew - a promise for a sunny day and indeed we had a period of sunshine but in the second half of the day long altostratus clouds arrived and things become grey and windy. The night ahead will be sleepless as the wind gets to 40-50 knots and after a prolonged period of NW wind it will rapidly shift from the SW. That means we will have to fight against the NW swell.
I really don’t need rough weather and high seas here in the iceberg zone. I was hoping we can sneak by with moderate winds and keep a proper look out but the forecast suggests rain, squalls with visibility seriously affected.
Another unfortunate thing - ARGOS Tracking beacons batteries ran out of power. This is not a very good time to be ‘invisible’. I want my shore crew to monitor the boat progress 24 x 7 whilst we are sailing through these icy waters. Now they rely on my Sat C telephone updates. For this I have to open the  lap top, download data from the boats GPS and MHU (mast head unit) and send it to the shore team and Antarctica Cup management. In the rough conditions, when they need it most, it is hard to operate the laptop.
Right now we are sailing in 25 knots of NW winds which will gradually build up. The ocean transforms very quickly and I will put on my dry suit and heavy weather boots. Time for hard work and cold showers. Regard, Fedor”.

From Oscar Konyukhov with report on sat phone conversation with Fedor -
‘Day 61 in the Southern Ocean Fedor Konyukhov on board Open 85 ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ continues to sail the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack (ACRT). Today the boat is in the middle stretch of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. 10,000 nautical miles covered since the start and 5,000 miles to Albany. On February 01 2008 Fedor crossed latitude 45S and entered the ACRT. Two months already in the grueling and harsh environment of the Southern Ocean. The boat has experienced hurricane force winds, 15 meters waves, dozens of icebergs, burned down autopilot, blown off B&G masthead unit, damaged main sail, damaged and then repaired rudder and now ahead of Alye Parusa a field of icebergs that threatens the boat safety. Fedor has to balance between the race rules and safety of the boat. The yacht crossed 20W – Gate 11 ‘Bellingshausen Gate’ named after the legendary Russian Commander and explorer who in 1820 was the first to see the land of Antarctica’.

Report from Fedor: “We are in the centre of a High Pressure system, wind 5-10 knots and barometer jumped to 1034 Mb – this is first time I have it so high. The day is absolutely gorgeous; azure blue skies, sunshine, clear and frosty air, 1-2 meters waves. Very unusual for this area. I spent all day on deck. It was a perfect day to inspect the boat and deck hardware - all is in good working order. The rudder tiller is holding firmly and looks solid; I’m very proud of my repairs. Ran water maker for several hours and managed to produce 200 litres of fresh water. This will be enough for several weeks, or even to the finish. Keep sailing alongside 45S but so far within the ACRT, the wind is now light but allows us to sail deep and stay on course without frequent gibes. A pack of dolphins followed the boat for several hours. It was a great day to remember. I would say it is typical “romantic” sailing; this is what most people would expect sailing on the yacht. It’s hard to believe that in a short period of time a wet blanket will be thrown at us and freezing cold conditions will take their place. According to the forecast things will get back to ‘normal’ in 18 hours -
28^th March 08/1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots
28^th March 08/1800 UTC: NNW 30-35, gusting 50 knots; squalls
29^th March 08/0000 UTC: WSW 35-40, gusting 50 knots.
I hope the weather coming won’t confirm this data. I really would like to stop this day and live it again. Regards, Fedor.”

Bob Williams CEO of Antarctica Cup Management the organisation responsible for the management of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event and the Antarctica Cup Racetrack reports: "We have an anxious 7-10 days ahead as Fedor crosses SECTOR 11 and SECTOR 12 of the Racetrack. We expected to receive more satellite images of this section of the SOUTH ATLANTIC ZONE of the Racetrack overnight but were advised that other priorities canceled out our images. We will need to wait another 8 days before more images will be available. We have directed Fedor to keep around 100 miles north of previously reported icebergs. These icebergs are not stationary and we can only rely on our judgment and observations from Fedor with respect to how free from ice are the waters he will be sailing in over the next 7-10 days. This is the first time that a yacht race has included crossing the full breadth of the South Atlantic Ocean below 45S. Every step of the way is new". Image - Whale Tail off Middleton Beach Albany.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce indicates wind from 5 knots through to 50 knots swinging through 270° of the compass over the coming 36 hours. 
27^th March 08/1200 UTC: NW 5-10 knots.
27^th March 08/1800 UTC: variable / WNW 5 knots.
28^th March 08/0000 UTC: SSE to SW 5 knots.
28^th March 08/0600 UTC: SW 5 knots.
28^th March 08/1200 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots.
28^th March 08/1800 UTC: NNW 30-35 gusting 50 knots; squalls.
29^th March 08/0000 UTC: WSW 35-40 gusting 50 knots.

SECTORS 11 and 12 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack are subject to a 'CODE RED' iceberg alert. Race control have issued a Temporary Rules Relaxation applicable to SECTORS 11 and 12 of the Racetrack and have instructed Fedor Konyukhov to adopt a Way Point of 44S, 10W which requires Fedor to sail outside the northern boundary (45S) of the OUTER LANE for a period of time. The next mandatory Way Point is 45S, 0W/0E (Prime Meridian). Fedor will not incur time penalties whilst sailing under these instructions. Race Control are anticipating arrival of more iceberg tracking data today to assist the monitoring of iceberg presence on the Racetrack and may issue further instructions at a later date.

Fedor is making his way north-east to skirt the icebergs predicted to the south of his track across Sectors 11 and 12 of the SOUTH ATLANTIC ZONE of the Racetrack. The wind is cooperating.
Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
This forecast assumes trying to make the proposed ice WP of 44S 10W. It would be best to get to 44S sooner rather than later, because NNW 40-50 knots is forecast for portions of the 28^th/29^th March.
The winds below are based on an average heading of 45-65T for the next 36 hours.
26^th March 08/0000 UTC: W 18-23 knots.
26^th March 08/0600 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots.
26^th March 08/1200 UTC: WSW 10-15 knots.
26^th March 08/1800 UTC: WSW 10 knots.
27^th March 08/0000 UTC: SW 5-10 knots.
27^th March 08/0600 UTC: SSW-SSE 5-10knots.
27^th March 08/0000 UTC: 12: SSW 10-15 knots.
Lee Bruce 

Sat telephone session with Fedor Konyukhov 25 March 08, 0800 UTC:
“You wouldn’t believe it but here at 47S in the South Atlantic Zone of the Racetrack it’s as cold as it was at 57S in the South Pacific Zone. I wonder what kind of temperature I would have experienced if I’d have stayed alongside the INSIDE LANE after Cape Horn? I’m sure I would have had to scrub the deck from ice. No surprise that this area is packed with icebergs – the water temperature is close to zero.
With NW winds life is better – warmer air and moderate swell, but as soon as the wind shifts to SSW it is getting extremely cold. Its refrigerator cold and even 20 knots of wind creates an uncomfortable chill factor. Plus we are sailing late in the season. It’s the Austral Autumn season here and I can feel the difference.
It’s quite stressful knowing that there are icebergs around and even though I’ve not seen one – with the data provided by C-CORE it gives a very clear picture that from 30W to 15E – we will have to sail with great caution to avoid floating ice. I feel like I’m on a minefield – no room for mistake. In the night I try not think what is ahead of ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’s’ bow. Because I’m telling you this now – it means I’m thinking of it. It’s in my head and it drives me crazy. It’s hard to switch to a different subject.
I remember watching a Sir Peter Blake film about their round the world sailing on the ENZA catamaran. The title of the film was very laconically – “No Latitude for Error & No Good Calling for Mum”. Well, this is exactly the situation we are in now. We are in the Southern Atlantic Zone in the area of ‘relative inaccessibility’ from both South America and the South Africa MRCC with numerous confirmed icebergs passing through.
We are 1000 miles from the Greenwich meridian – once we cross it – we are back in the Eastern Hemisphere – 118 degrees to Albany. Regards, Fedor”.

GATE 11 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is named after the Russian navigator:
FABIAN GOTTLIEB von BELLINGSHAUSEN (1779-1852)
After the death of James Cook in 1779, the European nations realized little success in their search for the great southern continent, ‘Terra Australis’. In 1819 Czar Alexander I of Russia authorized an expedition to the South Polar Region and thus the search was renewed.
The man chosen to command the expedition was Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. Born in 1779, he began his naval career as a cadet at the age of 10, graduating from the Naval Academy at Kronstadt at the age of 18. He was 40 years old when the call came forth for his exciting voyage to the South Polar Region. His goal was to continue the work of Cook while sailing as far south as possible. Bellingshausen's flagship was a 600 ton corvette named the VOSTOK . The second ship was the 530 ton MIRNYI which was a transport vessel. Both ships were built of pinewood. A total of 117 men sailed with the Vostok and 72 were aboard the MIRNYI. In the third week of July, they set sail for Portsmouth, England where Bellingshausen went on to meet with the president of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks. On September 5, 1819 Bellingshausen's polar expedition departed from Portsmouth and by the end of the year they were within sight of South Georgia Island. From here they headed southeast for the South Sandwich Islands where they began a circumnavigation of the group. On January 26, 1820 Bellingshausen crossed the Antarctic Circle becoming the first to do so since Cook in 1773. The following day his log indicates sailing to within 20 miles of the Antarctic mainland. The dispute as to who first sighted the mainland remains to this day. England says it was their naval captain Edward Bransfield, America says it was their sealer Nathaniel Palmer while the Russians insist it was Bellingshausen.

Current Day - DAY 59 Since Start.
ETA GATE 11 BELLINGSHAUSEN GATE - 27th March 08 (Day 61).
ETA PRIME MERIDIAN (0W,0E) - 2nd April 08 (Day 66).
ETA GATE 14 - Entry to INDIAN OCEAN ZONE - 5th April 08 (Day 69).
ETA FINISH LINE ALBANY - 5th May 08 (Day 99). 

36 hours frorecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather.
"This forecast assumes trying to make the ice WP of 46S 20W. The downside is that at 46S latitude, the wind field is lighter than at 47S or 48S. But that is a temporary problem, so we still can try to get north to reduce the iceberg threat.
25^th March 08./0000 UTC: SW 30-35 knots gusting 45 knots.
25^th March 08/0600 UTC: SW/SSW 20-25 knots.
25^th March 08/1200 UTC: SW 20 knots.
25^th March 08/1800 UTC: WSW 20 knots (port gybe)
26^th March 08/0000 UTC: WSW 15-20 knots.
26^th Match 08/0600 UTC: W 15-20 knots.
26^th March 08/1200 UTC: W 10 knots.

Two Australian islands in the 'Indian Ocean Zone' of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack have active volcanoes. Heard Island (53.02S, 72.36E) and McDonald Island (53.06S, 73.32E) contain the only two active volcanoes in the Australian territory. The volcano on McDonald Island last erupted on August 10, 2005.

Fedor reports seeing no albatrosses.
'Sometimes an animal, by reason of its perfect fitness in harsh and hostile environment, becomes identified in the popular mind as representing that environment - becomes in effect its heraldic beast. As the polar bear is for the Arctic, the penguin for the Antarctic, and the camel for the desert, so for the Southern Ocean the most fitting emblem is the wandering albatross. This magnificent bird, with its eleven-foot wing span, soaring effortlessly over the white capped waves, endlessly circling the globe, is the pure essence of these southern waters'. From 'Beyond The Convergence' by Alan Gurney.
Is the Albatross in danger of extinction being a victim of illegal long line fishing? Many suggest this may be the case. www.savethealbatross.net.

Fedor on Code Red Iceberg Alert. Over the next 7 days Fedor will sail towards the Prime Meridian (0W, 0E) and the EASTERN HEMISPHERE and is approaching the area of greatest iceberg intensity in the South Atlantic Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack as reported by Canadian company C-CORE interpreting data received from the Canadian, European, and North American Space Agencies. Race control in Albany are providing Fedor and his shore team with mandatory Way Points designed to keep Fedor north of the reported ice fields. Satellite scans can detect icebergs 100m x 100m in size. It's the smallest pieces of ice ('growlers' and 'bergy-bits') that are of equal concern to the ocean racing yachtsman - particularly the solo ocean racing yachtsman and yachtswoman. How far north these smaller pieces have journeyed before melting is uncertain.

OF THE COOK

1. He is to take upon him the Care of the Meat in the seeping tub.
2. In stormy Weather he is to preserve it from being lost.
3. He is to boil the Provisions and deliver them out to the men.

James Cook wrote a letter of protest to the Navy Board on the appointment of his ship’s cook: “The man you have been pleased to appoint cook on His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour, is a lame and infirm man, and incapable to doing his duty without the assistance of others; and as he doth not seem to like his appointment, beg you will be pleased to appoint another”. The Navy Board, in its wisdom, did appoint another, one John Thompson, who had lost his right hand. Cook protested once again, but the Board was adamant, and so the Endeavour sailed with a one-handed Cook.’
From ‘Below The Convergence’ by Alan Gurney.

Race Control is receiving Sat-C Position Reports from Fedor but his battery powered position reporting satellite tracking beacon is down (a new unit installed in Albany) with no position data being transmitted since 22 March 08. 6000 UTC. There is a back-up unit aboard. Race control is waiting for a report.

Position: 47, 35.68S, 34, 13.87W
Speed: 11 knots, Course: 39 deg.
UTC Time: 1150, 22 March 08.
Wind 25-30 knots SSW - FEDOR OK.

Open 85 ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ has sailed over 9,000 nautical miles along the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and is currently in the South Atlantic Zone of the Racetrack passing 350 nautical miles north of South Georgia Island.
From Oscar Konyukhov Fedor’s shore manager following satellite telephone conversation with Fedor 0900 UTC:

“Fedor reports that the last two nights were cloudless with a full moon perfectly lighting the ocean. This is the first time since the start 56 days ago that Fedor can observe a full moon as usually the skies are grey with low clouds. The weather is stable and conditions are good for the Southern Ocean. Fedor is now well into his sailing routine. After spending several weeks below 55 South with extreme cold temperatures and everyday snow he now enjoys nice sailing conditions above 50 South in the Outside Lane of the Racetrack. The rudder repair is holding OK. Fedor’s main concern now is icebergs. He is getting close to north of the A53a mega iceberg (iceberg A53a that split into two 30 kilometres long icebergs on 10 March 08) and is keeping a close lookout for icebergs around the boat. So far no icebergs have been seen. All is fine on board the yacht and Fedor is in a great mood. Oscar”.

Weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
To make the 45S 30W WP will require sailing high angles in the NW wind. So this forecast is based on trying to hit a WP of 46S 27W. Of course, for iceberg safety, any heading farther north would be preferred.
22^nd March 08/0000UTC: SW 18-23 knots.
22^nd March 08/0600 UTC: SSW 25-30 gusting 40 knots
22^nd March 08/1200UTC: SSW 25-30 knots.
22^nd March 08/1800 UTC: SSW 15-20 knots.
23^rd March 08/0000 UTC: WSW 15 knots.
23^rd March 08/0600 UTC: WNW 20 knots.
23^rd March 08/1200 UTC: NW 25-30 knots.
23^rd March 08/1800 UTC: NW 30 gusting 40 knots.
24^th March 08/0600 UTC: NNW 25 gusting 35 knots.

Antarctica Cup race control know the location of the giant iceberg A53a that split into two 30 kilometres long icebergs on 10 March 08 and is endeavouring to locate another giant iceberg designated A22a drifting along the CENTRE LANE of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
The photograph below taken in 2007 illustrates the magnitude of  the giant iceberg designated A22A that broke off Antarctica in 2002. The iceberg was also photographed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station on May 30 2007 fixing the location of the iceberg at 49.9 degrees south latitude, 23.8 degrees west longitude, which is about a third of the distance from South America towards Cape Town, South Africa. A22A is one of the largest icebergs to drift as far north as 50 degrees south latitude, bringing it beneath the daylight path of the International Space Station (ISS). Crew members aboard the ISS were able to locate the ice mass and photograph it, despite the great masses of clouds that often accompany winter storms in the Southern Ocean. Dimensions of A22A in early June 2007 were 49.9 by 23.4 kilometres, giving it an area of 622 square kilometres, or seven times the area of Manhattan Island. Where is A22a today? The latest batch of satellite images of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack – South Atlantic Zone- will be available from 26 March 08. Hopefully these images will locate what is left of A22a.

Fedor crossed GATE 10 COOK GATE on 20 March 08 at 2155 UTC. Elapsed time between GATE 9 SHACKLETON GATE and GATE 10 COOK GATE is 6 Days, 21 Hours, 55 Minutes.

GATE 10 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is named after Captain James Cook.
Captain James Cook 1728 – 1779) was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer. Cook made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands as well as the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook accurately charted many areas and recorded several islands and coastlines on Europeans' maps for the first time. His achievements can be attributed to a combination of seamanship, superior surveying and cartographic skills, courage in exploring dangerous locations (dipping into the Antarctic Circle repeatedly), ability to lead men in adverse conditions, and boldness both with regard to the extent of his explorations and his willingness to exceed the instructions given to him by the Admiralty. Cook died in Hawaii in a fight with Hawaiians during his third exploratory voyage in the Pacific in 1779.

19 March 08. 1500UTC. Sat Phone Sched with Fedor:
“It’s been a fruitful day for me. In the morning we received our regular weather forecast from Lee Bruce which suggested 20+ knots of steady wind all day. The weather looked cooperative for the rudder repair and there was no precipitation which will allow working with epoxy, so I decided it’s now or it’ll be too late.
Problem in brief: The tiller on each rudder has two locking bolts, one at the end tightens the tiller around the rudder stock and one in the middle centers the tiller to the rudder. This central bolt failed around Cape Horn and the tiller was moving around the rudder stock. Every mile added more stress and carbon dust was all over the transom indicating that the tiller was chewing the rudder stock away. With two oceans ahead to the finish line I must fix it. The only way for me to find out what’s wrong is to take the tiller apart. Frankly speaking, I had a lot of concerns and hesitation as taking a steering device to pieces deep in the South Atlantic Ocean is not big fun with a positive result not guaranteed. What if I won’t be able to put it back together? It’s like trying to repair a part of a plane wing while flying at 30.000 feet!
'Open 85’ yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ weights 30 tons and her rudder is very solid and heavy. I had to disconnect the rudder which weights 70 kg and has a draught of 1.7 meters and make sure it wouldn’t slip or crash turn at 90 degrees angle to the boat. Firstly I decided to work on starboard tack with the boat heeling over to port with the damaged rudder sitting out of the water. But this proved to be the wrong approach as the disconnected rudder flipped to a dangerous angle and waves were hitting it badly. So, I reassembled it, gibed and put the damaged rudder in the water and under pressure. I then drilled an additional hole through the rudder stock and poked a screw driver through to create a strut which I lashed with spectra ropes to rail stanchions, the mainsheet traveler, and the push pit. Once the rudder was secured I switched off the autopilot as there was no need for it, took the tiller off, and found why the central bolt snapped. The stainless steel sleeve we installed in Albany was too long and it restricted tightening the tiller around the rudder stock. Basically I was compressing the sleeve but not tightening the tiller. I pulled the sleeve out and shortened it by 5 mm. Then I cut a plastic bottle in half and put two sides around the rudder stock to beef it up to get more grip wrapping it up with epoxy.
Meanwhile the boat was sailing on port tack with the port rudder out of the water and the starboard rudder locked in the central position keeping the boat on course. I managed to balance the boat with the sails and she sailed a perfect straight line. It was like she could feel the importance of the moment for the well being of us both and that I’m treating her like an ill patient and that she must be well-behaved. Unfortunately working on the leeward side freezing cold water constantly splashed over me but thank God it was not raining. The day passed very quickly with running from stern to cabin, charging the hand drill, mixing epoxy, changing broken blades for the metal hand saw. It was plenty of physical exercise and fresh air. It’s 10 meters from the navigation station to the stern of the boat. I think I ran a good 5 kilometers. Unusual for a solo sailor that spends most of the time locked in the 2 x 3 meter cockpit.
Once I tightened the bolts heavy rain arrived but the job was done. I was back inside the boat and the kettle was on.. I will not say that it’s a perfect job and I don’t much care for how it looks but taking into account the conditions I don’t think we did too bad a job. I just hope it will last to Albany.
After almost 10 hours on deck, I really needed a good rest but that was not the case. Around midnight we sailed into very powerful turbulence. All of a sudden a squall arrived with heavy rain and very cold air then five minutes later a flow of much warmer air came and this contrast continued for at least one hour. In the meantime lightening was hitting the ocean around the boat. The sky was dramatic with lightening both vertical and horizontal between the clouds. It looked like ‘The End of the World’ and the combined noise of the heavy rain, gusty winds, and thunder was frightening. I was looking at my mast – a 110 ft carbon fibre pipe - sticking up into the air and the highest point in this wild pattern. Although the boat has ground wires it’s all theoretic. We’ve never been hit by lightening before and being here deep in the South Atlantic 7,000 miles from the finish line the last thing I needed was a high voltage current flow experiment. It was very unusual and more likely to happen in the tropics but not in the Deep South. The wind was spinning like crazy and I was trying to follow the shift until I realized that we were going in circles and damaging the main sail which already has two cracks. So the main came down and the staysail half furled. It took another hour for NW wind to fill in. My foul weather gear is completely soaked, there was chaos in the cockpit with the mainsail on deck. I was busy till sunrise bringing things to order. That’s all for now. We just had another exciting day in the Southern Ocean sailing the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. To end I would like to thank Bob Williams and Mark McRae for providing me with various options and ideas how to fix the rudder and also for encouragement. Regards, Fedor Position: 48,24S - 46,29W”.

The graphic below indicates the sea surface temperature across the South Atlantic Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The boundary of the Polar Zone (where cold water from Antarctica meets the sub-tropical water of the South Atlantic Ocean) is furthermost north in this Zone as can be seen from this graphic. Fedor would be experiencing temperatures around 42F (5.5C) at present. It will get colder as Fedor progresses east.

The latest weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather indicates that Fedor will experience strong wind pressure for the next 36 hours no doubt severely increasing the difficulty of affecting repairs to the starboard rudder. From Lee:
"This forecast assumes that Fedor will try to make the new ice-avoidance Way Point of 47S 40W.
The wind will gradually clock and increase, making it more and more difficult for Fedor to hit the next Way Point. Fedor will have to hold the wind on the beam—or just forward—as it builds to 40+ knots.
19^th March 08/0600 UTC: WNW 20-25 gusting 33 knots.
19^th March 08/1200 UTC: WNW 30-35 knots.
19^th March 08 /1800 UTC: NW 25-30 knots.
20^th March 08/000 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots.
20^th March 08/0600 UTC: NNW 45 gusting 55-60 knots.
20^th March 08/120 UTC: NW/WNW 30-35 knots.
20^th March 08/1800 UTC: NW 15-20 knots.

Fedor has passed the first mark on the South Atlantic Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack to avoid iceberg zone: 50 South and 50 West. This waypoint was given to clear the north-western boundaries of icebergs indicated in the March 2008 satellite scans. From this moment Fedor is monitoring the area around the boat as close as it possible for  a solo sailor. Meanwhile Antarctica Cup management suggested two more Way Points: 47 South - 40 West and 45 South – 30 West. This will gradually bring the boat to the Outside Lane and the Northern boundaries of the Antarctica Cup Race Track. 
Message from Fedor:
“Good morning. It’s a cold and dry morning here on 50 South. It’s not raining and the sun is breaking though the clouds. Good visibility. We are heading 030 COG, although I would want to see more easterly heading. Jibed several times, but on another tack we sailed 110 COG. This would be alright if we did not have the Iceberg Warnings, so for now my only option is to try to sail as much east of north as possible. This move up north will add more miles to our track, as the difference between INSIDE Line and OUTSIDE Line is 11.600 and 14.600 respectively.
Today looks like a possible day to conduct the repairs on the rudder. Wind 20-25 knots, sea state 2-3 meters waves, not the best, but you can’t expect flat calm in the “Furious Fifties”. At least it is not raining – very rare moment indeed. I am drying all my gear, including my sleeping bag. Well not drying, let’s call it – ventilating. Few hatches also opened to get rid of condensation inside the boat. Today I again checked my food supplies – nothing exciting: tins, dry food, rice, spaghetti. I only have several plastic boxes with food and I can name the content by memory, but still searching for something fresh and tasty. May be there is something on the bottom of the box that I missed during my previous search. Keep 360 degrees lookout for icebergs – so far only ocean swell, the horizon is leveled. Sailed 8.500 n/miles from Albany. Fedor”

From Oscar Konyukhov:
18 Mar 08.1200 UTC. “Just talked to Fedor. It is sunrise at his region, a bit of sunshine. Fedor will try to make rudder repairs today. Still waves 2-3 meters but you can't expect flat seas where he is right now (49.9S 50.08W). He is on constant look out for icebergs. He will notify us as soon as he sees any”.

Bob Williams, chairman of Antarctica Cup Management the Australian company responsible for the invention of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and management of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race discusses the presence of the mega iceberg A53a on the South Atlantic Zone of the Racetrack.
“I find everything to do this monster iceberg from its calving off the Larcen B ice shelf in 2002 (a total of 3,250 square kilometres of shelf area disintegrated spewing 720 billion tons of ice into the surrounding ocean) utterly fascinating. A53a, which is the further most north of the 50, 10 miles and longer, icebergs scattered around Antarctica, made a 1,000 nautical miles ocean journey to its present location to the east of South Georgia Island. The fact that A53a split in two last week creating two icebergs 30 kilometres long is receiving great interest across the scientific world.
Thousands of ice particles that have ‘calved’ off A53a over the past 6 years (and much more to come with, presumably, A53b and A53c now depositing thousands more ice particles - incidentally incorporating dust from Australia) are spread across the ocean surface 2,500 miles to the east of South Georgia Island across the Inside Lane and Outside Lane of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. How long it will take for all this ice to melt is a question to which I hope scientists will provide us an answer! From the internet; ‘Icebergs of the southern Atlantic Ocean contain rock material from Antarctica, eroded by the moving ice, and also wind-borne dust from deserts in Africa, South America, and Australia. The finest powdery rock material acts as nutrients for sea organisms. As the sediment-laden icebergs melt, they enrich the surrounding seawater with minerals’.
In the meantime we have a race management issue on our hands keeping our event competitors a safe distance clear of ‘Iceberg Alley’ which means confining racing to the Outside Lane for a greater part of the South Atlantic Zone of the Racetrack.
We are keen that the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race event proves to be a valuable source of data for the scientific community studying Antarctica. We certainly offer to cooperate in any way we can.” rwilliams@antarcticacup.com

Oscar Konyukhov reports on his conversation with Fedor:
"I spoke to Fedor 1200 UTC. He said that headwinds are gusty and powerful 30-35 knots. Fedor is sailing close-hauled (30T) under main sail only to reduce drift to the west. The forecast suggested a shift at 0900 UTC, but at 1200 UTC the wind is still from the NE..
Fedor thinks that is because he is moving NW with the front but not through it.
The problem we have now is that the starboard side rudder tiller fixing is damaged. The bolt that fixes the tiller to the carbon pole from the rudder is shredded. Fedor needs a period of light winds, flat sea, some sunshine to conduct repairs. He needs a dry day to work with composite material and flat sea to disconnect the rudder from the tiller. Not something you would want to do at 50 South. We are threatened with a stopover in Cape Town which is a very bad scenario for everybody if it comes to that. Fedor will do his best to conduct repairs in the Ocean. He is confident that he can repair the problem subject to the weather and ocean status. He said that right now it is heavy rain, fog, squalls, waves crashing on deck and God knows what - anything but the break of sunshine we hoped for. Regards, Oscar".

“The Falkland Islands are 200 nautical miles astern. Passing through this part of the South Atlantic Ocean gave something new to my daily routine. The boat was surrounded by all sorts of marine life. The changes came as soon as were over Burdwood Bank south of the Falklands. It was unusual to read 50-80 meters under the keel after we had average 5,000 meters since the New Zealand shoals. The waters here are booming with life; plenty of albatrosses, I had around 15 of them following my yacht, polar dolphins, whales. The ocean has a strong smell of sea weed.
On Saturday morning my Active Echo Radar detector sounded with an alarm buzz which means the AER received a radar wave signal from another vessel. I found a vessel on my bow starboard side on a collision course. I transmitted over the radio my call sign and notified that I’m a solo sailor heading for Western Australia. The officer on watch recognized my accent and asked if I am Russian. Second question he asked was – “Are you Fedor Konyukhov…?” I was puzzled and ask him why? He responded “who else can be here Deep South on a sailing yacht and talks Russian?” We had a nice chat over the radio – the crew is from St. Petersburg. They are working on a ship that is re-supplying South Georgia Island and the South Sandwich Islands for the coming winter. Now the ship is heading back to Montevideo. They told me they had very rough weather a few days ago which was no surprise to me. It was good to talk to your country mates when you are half way away from home.
On Saturday evening I heard Japanese speech on VHF channel 16. I checked the radar – 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 miles – nothing. The area is clear. Just in case I put over the air my standard radio call and suddenly I could see a clear mark on the radar three miles on my port side. I ran on deck – it is a Japanese fishing base over 100 meters in size. They responded to my radio call and changed heading. Five minutes later they disappeared from my radar screen as sudden as they appeared.
After you have not seen any vessels for weeks – two ships within 24 hours looks like we are in a heavy traffic situation.
We have a hectic weather pattern with the wind going in circles. Today I should experience head winds from SE. Regards Fedor”.

Forecast 16^th March – 18^th March.
Still trying to make the 50S 50W WP.
16^th March 08/1800 UTC: light/variable (favoring SE 5 knots, then shifting to NNE 10 knots)
17^th March 08/0000 UTC: NE 10-15 knots.
17^th March 08/0600 UTC: NE 20-25 knots
17^th March/1200 UTC: N to NNE 20 knots
17^th March 08/1800 UTC: NNW 20-25 knots
18^th March /0000 UTC: NNW 15-20 knots
Lee, Tactical Weather.

Report from the Independent Newspaper.
Loss of Antarctic ice has soared by 75 per cent in just 10 years
By Steve Connor, Science Editor. Monday, 14 January 2008
Parts of the ice sheets covering Antarctica are melting faster than predicted, with the net loss of ice probably accelerating in recent years because of global warming, a study has found.  A satellite survey between 1996 and 2006 found that the net loss of ice from Antarctica rose by about 75 per cent as the movement of glaciers towards the sea speeded up. Scientists estimate that that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet lost about 132 billion tons of ice in 2006, compared with a loss of 83 billion tons in 1996. In addition, the Antarctic Peninsula lost about 60 billion tons of ice in 2006.
"To put these figures into perspective, 4 billion tons of ice is enough to provide drinking water for the whole UK population for one year," said Professor Jonathan Bamber, of the University of Bristol. "We think the glaciers of the Antarctic are moving faster to the sea. The computer models of future sea-level rise have not really taken this into account."
The iceberg A53a located east of South Georgia Island, that recently split in two, is estimated to hold  2,600 trillion litres of fresh water. Australia consumes around 20 trillion litres of water per year.

Light and variable winds forecast may offer Fedor some respite to catch up on sleep and dry things out after a month of cold and wet in the passage to Cape Horn and into the South Atlantic. The offset is slower boat speed which will not please Fedor. Race control has stipulated a waypoint at 50S, 50W which is designed to keep Fedor north of potential icebergs west of South Georgia Island. (Satellite scans have not detected icebergs to the north-west of South Georgia but caution is being exercised nonetheless).
From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
As the wind clocks, Fedor will have to sail high to stay on track for hitting the 50S 50W way point.  And to add to the problem, the forecast has near calm wind for about six hours on the 16^th March, followed by about a 12-hour period of NE wind on the 17^th March.
As the NNW wind builds, Fedor’s sea state may get quite confused, as the NNW waves clash with leftover SW waves.
15^th March 08/1800 UTC: NW 25-30 knots, quickly backing as a front passes through
15^th March 08/210 UTC: WNW 20 Knots
16^th March 08/0000 UTC: WSW to SW 20-25 knots
16^th March 08/0600 UTC: SW 15 knots
16^th March 08/1200 UTC: SW 10 knots
16^th March 08/1800 UTC: light/variable

Position: 52,52.32S , 56,38.34W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 74 deg.
UTC Time 0216 15 march 08.
wind  25-30 kt   NNW FEDOR OK.

Here we are sailing in the rough South Atlantic. I had a few questions from a Russian journalist; how did I celebrate passing Cape Horn? What brand of Champaign I had and did I cook a nice meal? They were spot on questions. After a very nasty farewell from the Pacific we had a few hours only to catch our breath before we got a severe gale welcome to the South Atlantic. At the moment we have 45 + knots with gusts up to 55. I have not slept for more then 40 hours. From the moment we entered Drake Passage the weather conditions were so bad I could not get even a short nap. From Diego Ramirez Island I was on constant watch approaching Cape Horn. Although near Cape Horn the wind eased off you do not get a sleep when Cape Horn is on your port side within 10 miles. Right after Cape Horn we ended up in choppy seas and with dry land near by I was afraid to fall asleep so had to keep myself awake with coffee. So I missed my Champaign time. Dried bananas with a mug of coffee were my only meal for the last 48 hours. The boat is sailing on autopilot and my body is on autopilot too. How I wish to stretch on white sheets and have a proper 3-4 hours of sleep! That would be so refreshing. Sailing in these extreme conditions gives you appreciation how people are spoilt by comfort which we do not appreciate and take for granted. Here in the Deep South even basic things like a hot shower and three hours of interrupted sleep sounds like a luxury.
We are currently at 55’45S and 63’50W heading N-E to the way point. The task is not easy – come up north until reach a way point 50 South - 50 West to avoid zone packed with icebergs. There will be a lot of gybing, wet and windy hours on deck for the next few days, with Falklands Islands on my port side – there will be little time to rest. Fedor”
Subsequent to this report Fedor reports sailing in only 50 metres of water as he passes over shoals to the south of the Falklands Islands. He can hear fishermen chatting on the VHF radio and is on constant lookout for fishing boats remembering the experience of Jon Sanders when he collided with an Argentine fishing boat during his triple solo navigation.

The Antarctic Convergence, better known as the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone (or "Polar Front" for short), is a line encircling Antarctica where cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet and mix with the relatively warmer waters of the sub-Antarctic. Antarctic waters predominantly sink beneath sub-Antarctic waters, while associated zones of mixing and upwelling create a zone very high in marine productivity, especially for Antarctic Krill. The line is actually a zone approximately 32 km (20 mi) to 48 km (30 mi) wide, varying somewhat in latitude seasonally and in different longitudes, extending across the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans between the 48th and 61st parallels of south latitude. The precise location at any given place and time is made evident by the sudden drop in temperature from north to south of, on average, 2.8 °C (5 °F) to 5.5 °C (10 °F), to below 2 °C (35.6 °F). Although this zone is a mobile one, it usually does not stray more than a half a degree of latitude from its mean position. Fedor is now sailing above the Antarctica Convergence. The Antarctic Convergence extends its furthermost north across the South Atlantic Ocean and is thought to be the northern extent of 'Iceberg Alley' the massive field of icebergs located to the east of South Georgia Island.

GATE 9 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is named after:
SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON
1874 – 1922
Ernest Shackleton led the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition and Ross Sea Party 1914-1916. After losing the ship ENDURANCE in giant ice floes Shackelton and his men reached Elephant Island and awaited rescue. Elephant Island was an inhospitable place far from any shipping routes and thus a poor point from which to await rescue. Consequently, Shackleton felt it essential that he set out immediately upon arrival, and to him, it was obvious that he must head back to South Georgia, even if it meant traversing 1,287 kilometres (800 mi) of open ocean in one of the lifeboats. The lifeboat James Caird was chosen for the trip. The waters that Shackleton was to cross in his boat of 7 metres (23ft) are among the most treacherous in the world. Weather reports confirm that gale-force winds of 60 kilometres per hour (37mph) to 70 kilometres per hour (43mph) are present in the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica on an average of 200 days per year; they cause ocean swells of 6 metres (20ft), and the ship's captain, Frank Worsley, suggested that waves of 16 metres (52 ft) were not uncommon. Of the journey, Shackleton wrote:

“At midnight I was at the tiller and suddenly noticed a line of clear sky between the south and south-west. I called to the other men that the sky was clearing, and then a moment later I realised that what I had seen was not a rift in the clouds but the white crest of an enormous wave. During twenty-six years' experience of the ocean in all its moods I had not encountered a wave so gigantic. It was a mighty upheaval of the ocean, a thing quite apart from the big white-capped seas that had been our tireless enemies for many days. I shouted, "For God's sake, hold on! It's got us!" Then came a moment of suspense that seemed drawn out into hours. White surged the foam of the breaking sea around us. We felt our boat lifted and flung forward like a cork in breaking surf. We were in a seething chaos of tortured water; but somehow the boat lived through it, half-full of water, sagging to the dead weight and shuddering under the blow. We baled with the energy of men fighting for life, flinging the water over the sides with every receptacle that came to our hands, and after ten minutes of uncertainty we felt the boat renew her life beneath us”– Ernest Shackleton, South

Lee Bruce from Tactical Weather now has the task of routing Fedor clear of the sectors of the South Atlantic Zone of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack that have either been 'Closed' or are have a 'Yellow Flag' alert applied due to anticipated icebergs in those areas. From Lee:

The satellite picture suggests squalls in the area near Fedor—but some breaks of sunshine. However, a heavier bank of clouds is moving in from the WSW. And more very strong wind should arrive after about 13^th March 0300 UTC.
Suggest route that stays close to Falklands if possible, to set up for forecast north wind on the 15^th March. For Fedor to leave 50S 50W to starboard, he will need the westing. To accomplish that, he will need to gybe either side of a line toward about 52S 57W (and maybe farther north than that; we will adjust as needed). So it is not ideal, and we will have to see how Fedor fares over the next two days. It may be difficult for him to stay out of the yellow caution zone of the CENTER LANE.
13^th March 08/1200 UTC: WSW 45knots gusting 60 knots.
13^th March 08/1800 UTC: SW to SSW 35 knots gusting 45 knots
14^th March 08/0000 UTC: SW 30-35 knots
14^th March/1200 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
15^th March/0000 UTC: NNW 15-20 knots.

12 March 13:45 GMT Open 85 yacht “Trading Network Alye Parusa” sailed south of Cape Horn and entered the South Atlantic Ocean.
From Fedor “It is very emotional to stay here on deck and see this massive rock which is a milestone for my journey around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The approach was very difficult. The ocean was indescribably wild and powerful. My 30 tons boat was dragged like a tree leaf, the waves were hitting us in the port rudder, the stern and in the starboard rudder. There was no place to hide as waves were coming from N-W, W, S-W. On the approach to Diego Ramirez Islands one of two Raymarine autopilots burned down, (I think it was a motor), the boat lost control turned on the wind and got such an impact that I thought we would lose bow and mast. I took me half a minute to sort things out with the burnt out pilot and switched to the reserve unit. Things began to improve 20 miles to Cape Horn. After a terrible night all of a sudden we have a stunning sun rise with some sun breaks! It was a greatest gift possible. Visibility improved and I can see Cape Horn 15 miles on my port side. It took me another hour to get close enough to see the Cape in all its beauty. This is the first land I have seen from Albany! On the VHF – channel 16- Chilean fishermen are talking to each other. It is such a great thing to hear someone on the radio! I am not alone in this Ocean!   The fourth time for me proves to be lucky – I can finally see Cape Horn from the deck of my boat. That was my dream. In my 3 previous roundings – but it always happened during the night.
I’m 56 and don’t know if I will have a chance to see Cape Horn again, but with four successful passages around – I think it is enough for me. I’m satisfied and feel complete in the way that we reached the Everest of the Ocean. Although this time it is a special rounding – we are not heading north towards the Equator but will stay in the Southern Ocean for another 8.000 miles to Albany. Fedor Konyukhov, on board Trading Network Alye Parusa, Cape Horn”.

 Four Cape Horn passages of Fedor Konyukhov (solo)
31 December 1990, 36 ft yacht “Karaana”,
17 March 1999, ‘Open 60’ “Modern University for the Humanities”
09 April 2005, Open 85 “Trading Network Alye Parusa”
12 March 2008, Open 85 “Trading Network Alye Parusa”

Position: 56,12.33S , 67,13.11W
Speed: 12 knots, Course: 89 deg.
UTC Time: 13:44 12 March 08.
wind -40-45 kt WSW -PORT SIDE -CAPE HORN-FEDOR OK
Congratulations Fedor from the many people around the world who are following your trailblazing of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack for achieving your fourth solo rounding of the notorious Cape Horn.

Position: 56,42.60S , 68,36.86W
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 69 deg.
UTC 0726 12 March 08.
wind 40-45- kt W-W S W - 9 NM OFF PORT SIDE IS DIEGO REMIRAZ ISLANDS -FEDOR OK

Cape Horn is at 67W so Fedor is within 40 nautical miles and should round the Horn at around 1230 UTC (2130 WST) today.

Report from Fedor received by his son Oscar at 0800 WST.
“The storm came sudden and very hard upon us, I was hoping that it will gradually build up, but around six hours ago the wind picked up in one huge gust and is not dropping below 50 knots with gusts of 65 knots. It looks like all hell has broken loose; pitch dark, snow, the ocean is completely covered in foam; the water spray is in the air. The noise on deck is enormous – it’s like we are in the wind turbine. The waves are short and travelling very fast – like a train. The boat is surfing from the waves and hitting the waves in front. I had to reduce sails to minimum in order to stay in pace with the ocean. The feeling is that we are in the high altitude jet stream and the water is roaring and running east. Will contact you on our morning. Fedor”
(Footnote: Only those who have sailed in such conditions can imagine what Fedor is experiencing right now. A level of fear and exhilaration matched only by some of his most extreme adventures. The sea conditions in Drake Passage must be affected by the 135 million cubic metres of water per second traveling east beneath Fedor (the Circumpolar Current) that has to be funnelled between the tip of South America and Antarctica through Drake Passage.)

Today a sat phone session between the Russian Polar Station 'Novolazarevskaya' in Antarctica and Russian yacht 'Trading Network Alye Parusa' sailing the Antarctica Cup Race Track was arranged. Fedor received a phone call from the Vice-Premier of Russia – Mr. Sergey Ivanov who is currently visiting Antarctica on a mission to check Russian polar stations for the winter season and also testing GLONASS satellite position system. A Russian version of GPS.
Fedor informed Minister Ivanov about the Antarctica Cup main highlights and that he is 200 miles west of Cape Horn. Minister Ivanov wished Fedor luck, safe journey and proposes to have an official meeting with Fedor in Moscow in May 2008.

Meanwhile Fedor reported that he is experiencing “typical” Cape Horn weather:

“All is well on board my good ship, not counting a damaged main sail. The wind is gusting from 25 to 40 knots, with snow charges. Hard to trim the sails, but we're getting there and I'm happy with what we got so far – I remember much worse conditions for my previous rounding. The visibility is bad and this is my major concern. I have my radar set for 6 miles alarm zone – it seems it is the best range for my Furuno unit. With the boat diving in between the swells the radar is sending false alarms and each time it's like a cold shower - I'm jumping on deck if it's day light or zooming in on the screen if it's night time. So far – plenty of alarms or false alarms but I can not confirm seeing any iceberg visually. Frankly speaking I can’t define the border between ocean and sky – it all looks like one grey blanket. I hate to say it being Russian but we are playing ‘Russian Roulette’ down here.
I can feel that the boat is also getting ready to see Cape Horn, she is now well balanced and handles easily – we are both focused. The tension is rising. It's like we are getting ready for the fight, your adrenalin is getting high: Cape Horn ahead. The plan is still to leave Diego Ramirez to port. Regards, Fedor”.
Position: 56,41.16S , 73,21.63W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 103 deg.
UTC Time: 1317 11. March 2008
wind 35-45- knots WNW

Position: 56,39.13S , 74,16.81W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 95 deg.
11 March 08 UTC 09:28
Wind  30-35-40-35  kt  WNW - FEDOR OK
(we understand that Fedor is sailing in heavy overcast conditions with poor visibility and snow squalls. Fedor has not reported sighting icebergs since 02 March 08 however he remains on constant alert).

Wellington (New Zealand), Monday 10
March 2008 - After a final consultation with specialists of the icebergs drift in the Southern Pacific at the end of last week and,
above all, taking into account very precise information from the NASA, the C-CORE, the Canadian institute following the ice and the ESA (European Space Agency), all confirmed by solo Russian sailor Fedor Konyukhov - who is at 1,000 nautical miles of Cape Horn at the moment - Yvan Griboval, CEO of SailingOne, organizer of the SolOceans and initiator of the Veolia Oceans one-design, has decided not to open the starting line of the second leg of the round-the-world Reconnaissance Tour of the SolOceans, between Wellington and Cherbourg round Cape Horn. Bostik will get back to France on a cargo ship, so Charles Caudrelier and his crew won't take unnecessary risks in a massive ocean of icebergs drifting round Cape Horn southernmost headland of South America.

Position: 56,50.34S , 77,44.33W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 74 deg.
10 March 08. UTC17:29
wind 20-25 kt  WNW  FEDOR  OK

Fedor is approximately 300 nm from Cape Horn.This will be Fedor's fourth rounding of Cape Horn solo (the last in 2004) which places him in an exclusive club of yachtsman that have made four or more roundings of Cape Horn - solo. 

Message from Oscar Konyukhov, Fedor’s son and Albany based project manager 0100 UTC.
“I just spoke to Fedor, he will leave Diego Ramirez Islands (56°30S, 68°43W) to port, so a 57°S course looks good to him. From the ARGOS report this morning he was already on 57°S but he gibed an hour ago and is now heading 070 as the wind is shifting. Fedor reports heavy snow with gusty winds. It is the middle of his night - poor visibility (in fact - zero visibility).
The plan is to round Cape Horn on 57°S. Regards, Oscar”.
Footnote: The Diego Ramirez Islands are 60 miles SW of Cape Horn. The islands are an important nesting site for a number of southern seabirds, including the Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross Grey-headed Albatross, Rockhopper Penguin, and Southern Giant-Petrel.

After relatively light winds for the past week the forecast for the next few days indicates Fedor will have a wild ride past Cape Horn. Fedor is expected to be at Cape Horn on 13th March. From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
A period of strong WNW wind may make it tricky to hold enough south to avoid the shoaling off Cape Horn, but we can keep trying. And WSW
wind should help on the 12^th of March.
10^th March 08/1800 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots
11^th March 08/0000 UTC: WNW 30 knots
11^th March 08/1800UTC : WNW/NW 35-40 gusting 50 knots
12^th March /0000 UTC: WNW 40-45 knots gusting 55 knots
12^th March /0600UTC: WSW 35-40 knots gusting 45 knots
Lee Bruce Tactical Weather.

‘Groundhog Day’
"When I’m going through my log book it looks like we’re lost in time with the same cold, rain, grey sky, and pale ocean. Even the latitude position of the boat stays the same; 56 South for weeks now. Every day looks the same and brings similar conditions. Whatever I do every morning we’re still in the Southern Ocean at 56 South. The boat is on starboard tack, it’s cold and wet, – its ‘Groundhog Day’!
No ships, no birds – I’ve seen only one albatross during the past week. The horizontal landscape is depressing. As an artist I learnt a lot about the human eye and vision. We people need to see natural bright colours - green, yellow, blue – this gives us a positive impulse and raises our mood. Here in the Southern Ocean the main colour is pale grey and it’s not very inspiring. The vista is hungry for colours.
I have to fight an ‘everything is OK’ attitude –‘it might be OK with this sail trim’ – ‘it might be OK for iceberg look out’ – ‘I’m OK, I’m not hungry’ - and so on. I understand that the sails need to be re-set and I’ve not checked for icebergs for two hours. Normally on short distance races you would never allow a compromised sail trim but on a long and cold voyage like this every movement requires motivation. It’s not only sail trim - I have to force myself to cook something hot. From my previous experience I know that the body is trying to switch into a hibernation regime to save energy but we have a long way to go in similar or worse conditions and we can’t just let things get out of control and drift. It reminds me of Everest, the ‘Dead Zone’, above 8,000 meters where your oxygen starved brain tells you that everything is OK and your Will pushes you up (or down) and wont let you sit down as you may never stand up.
In the conditions we are in now big muscles won’t suffice – ‘stamina’ and ‘endurance’ – these are the essentials for long distance solo sailing and I hope I have enough of both.
I know that we need a change and the best change would be to round Cape Horn. Such an achievement gives a boost and energizes your mood. Unfortunately we are progressing painfully slowly to the tip of South America with a damaged main sail, light winds, and the same big swell we’ve had now for four days.
I planned that I would be in the South Atlantic Ocean ten days ago. The fact that we are not there is pressuring me. I know that a new ocean will bring new emotions and my only goal is to get to the South Atlantic as soon as possible. Plus we are still sailing away from Albany but once we cross longitude 62 West we will be sailing towards Albany. Every mile east will bring us home. It’s the best motivation of all. We’re now in the middle section of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack just before ‘half way’. This is the point of maximum stress and appreciation of just how difficult the route is. Best Regards. Fedor”. 56,13.70S , 85,42.35W.

Traveling beneath the keel of Fedor's boat is the Antarctica Circumpolar Current. This 'ocean conveyor belt' is traveling east the same direction as Fedor and is conveying 135 million cubic metres of water per second around Antarctica the equivalent of 135 times the flow of all the world's rivers combined. All this water must pass through Drake Passage the relatively narrow section of ocean separating the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn) and the Antarctic Peninsular.


www.terradaily.com

Position: 56,15.13S , 86,19.70W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 89 deg.
08 March 08. UTC 2206
wind 25 -30 -25  knots  WNW  FEDOR  OK.

Extract from article by Angus Urquart Scots Heritage Society:
"In the wild sub-Antarctic waters of the Great Southern Ocean, the Albatross, by far the biggest and, to my mind, the most noble of all the world’s seabirds, is gliding inexorably toward a brutal and ignominious end. Population extinctions within our life time is a grim probability for at least three species on South Georgia, the magnificent Wandering Albatross with its incredible 3.5 metre wing-span, the lovely Grey Headed Albatross and the strikingly beautiful Black Browed Albatross. Their fate lies in the hands of the large-scale commercial fishermen who continue to plunder Southern Ocean fish by deploying long lines that stretch for up to 130 kilometers (80 miles) behind their vessels. Each line is baited with as many as 10,000 barbed, stainless steel hooks set for species like Patagonian Toothfish and Blue Fin Tuna. As the lines stream aft, the baits provide the easiest of targets for the scavenging albatrosses which spend much of their long lives scouring the waves for just such tasty morsels. Albatrosses attack the floating bait without hesitation. They’ve been known to dive more than three metres below the waves, an aggressive pursuit which often ends in a cruel and truly horrible death by drowning. The distinguished British broadcaster and naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, put it succinctly when he said:
“For an albatross, taking a fish from a baited hook is no different to a blue tit taking peanuts from a garden feeder. The contrast is that the albatross will pay the heaviest price of all for its meal - its life. Sir David points out that albatrosses have survived in the harshest marine environments for 50 million years, more than 100 times longer than our own species. However, he says, these magnificent birds are simply unable to cope with man-made threats such as long line fishing. Albatrosses mate for life and produce only one egg every year. For some species it’s one egg every two years. They are being killed in such vast numbers that they cannot breed fast enough to keep pace with the rate of attrition”.

C-CORE the Canadian company providing Antarctica Cup Management with iceberg detection services advised overnight that they received advice from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) that it should be possible to capture 20 RADARSAT-1 images for the Antarctica Cup Racetrack – South Atlantic Zone.  The images will have a 500 km swath width and a resolution of 100 m (detecting icebergs 100m long).  These 20 images can be used get some repeat coverage of some of the ice infested waters already reported via the European Space Agency (ESA). 

Latest satellite images provided by C- CORE, the Canadian ice tracking group in conjunction with Polar View has uncovered an 'iceberg alley' running right across the South Atlantic from Cape Horn almost to Cape Agulhas. Pradeep Bobby frpm C-CORE concludes: “We are very confident that the 'red' detections to the east of South Georgia Island correspond to iceberg detections. It is very possible that the A-53A iceberg has been deteriorating over time, which has led to the high numbers of surrounding icebergs. Our reports in the earlier portions of the race mainly contained "Low" detections that were hard to identify as icebergs. That situation is not the case for the targets we are now spotting east of South Georgia Island. The iceberg (A53a) we spotted in the March 1 NASA image has since split into two large pieces that are moving in opposite directions. It is likely that this calving process introduced hundreds, if not thousands of additional icebergs into the ocean."  Bob Williams, CEO of the Antarctica Cup Race Management says: "We are monitoring the situation very closely, and may decide to 'yellow flag' further sections of the Racetrack. We are also considering relaxing any penalty should Fedor need to sail north of 45°S and outside the OUTER LANE. He will be keen to sail the shortest distance, but we are just as keen to keep him clear of ice."

Fedor needs to limit northing.  This outlook assumes a position no farther north than 55 30S and 83 00W by 09/1200 UTC.  But being farther south will only help, so Fedor should try his best to work south of that way point.
07 March 08 /1800 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
08 March 08/0000 UTC: WNW 30 knots
08 March 08/1800 UTC: WNW 30-35 knots
09 March 08/1200 UTC: NW 30-35 knots
Lee Bruce Tactical Weather.

Life aboard ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’.
TNAY is 7 meters wide and has twin rudders. The rudders are linked via a quadrant. To this steering quadrant a mechanical self-steering unit (autopilot) is attached with a back up unit. This is my lifeblood. Without these self-steering units I’m in deep trouble. I had my existing units serviced in Albany and purchased new stand-by units that I hope will stay in their boxes until I return to Albany. Every two hours I change the operating units over to avoid overheating. This has been a vital part of my daily routine for the past 41 days at sea and will continue until I sail into King George Sound and cross the finishing line. When I can I sleep in between the switching routine after I have completed the many other jobs required of a solo sailor sailing a 86’ maxi yacht across the most inhospitable part of this beautiful planet of ours including looking after my daily needs such as food and drink. Add keeping an eye out for icebergs and you will get some idea of how I occupy myself here in the ‘Furious Fifties’ latitudes making my way towards Cape Horn and the half-way mark to Albany.
My major challenge right now is to repair my 220 sq meters mainsail which has two vertical cracks below the first reef. To affect this repair I need to put on layers of clothes (wet) and climb into my storm gear, goggles, and gloves as I must avoid frostbite. I will lower the sail enough that I can reach the damaged area. The boom on TNAY is two metres above the deck. I need to climb up onto the boom, lash myself to whatever I can find so that I’m not thrown into the freezing ocean by the constant pitching and rolling of the boat, try to dry the damaged area enough so that I can stick a patch on the sail. This I have to do both sides of the sail. This is no small job. I don’t know how long it will take. I only know it has to be done before Cape Horn. I’m not looking forward to it at all. Wish me luck!

The wonders of Mother Nature. The following is an article posted on the Internet by Jennifer Berry Ecological Consultant, San Francisco, USA.
Icebergs are breaking from Antarctica at an ever increasing rate, and every day there are new images and startling revelations about the loss of habitat for our South Pole flora and fauna. But what happens to the ice when it breaks away and floats to the ocean? Scientists from the Monterey Bay Research Center set out to find out what effect these frozen travellers have on the waters they occupy.
Anecdotal reports suggested an increase in seabird activity around these icebergs, but no one knew just why. It turns out that these melting ice masses are carrying organic and mineral debris stored from millennia, and releasing them into the cold waters off South America. These ocean waters are normally low in essential nutrients, like iron. As the icebergs melt, they act as a timed release fertilizer, increasing ocean life around them, such as algae. Organisms that take particular delight in the new food source are krill, the tiny shrimp like creatures that occupy the bottom of the food chain for marine mammals, even providing a direct source for many whales. When an iceberg breaks off and drifts, it creates a new habitat for opportunists, and increases biodiversity for a distance of up to 2 1/2 miles from the edge of the drift.
Not only is the afterlife of an iceberg spectacular, but this new life in turn is able to absorb enormous amounts of the CO2 that created the melting in the first place, in a sort of feedback loop. Is this the silver lining? We'll have to find out”.

One giant iceberg becomes two giant icebergs! Sometime between 1st March and 3rd March the giant iceberg A53a located 75 nautical miles east of South Georgia Island split in two as predicted by Canadian company C-CORE. The following images courtesy of NASA and C-Core clearly show the now two icebergs, each around 30 kilometres long, drifting apart. Recent imagery received by the Antarctica Cup Race Control Centre indicate a heavy population of icebergs to the east of A53a. This ice is considered to be fragments of A53a (now in two parts) that are drifting east with the prevailing easterly winds. The southern extremity of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack OUTSIDE LANE is some 295 nautical miles north of the now two giant icebergs and the fields of particles around them.

06 March 08. 0800 UTC. NOTICE TO COMPETITOR.
06 March 08. Notice of Part Closure of Sectors of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and Yellow Flag Alert.

 (1)   Due to extreme iceberg presence the following area of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is CLOSED until further notice: The section of the INSIDE LANE between Longitude 20 West to Longitude 50 West (GATE 11). This area is now classified ‘Out-Of Bounds’.

(2)   A ‘YELLOW FLAG ALERT’ is placed over the CENTRE LANE from Longitude 30 West to Longitude 50 West. Icebergs are expected to extend well north of South Georgia Island and can be expected in this sector of the CENTRE LANE. Entry to this sector should be avoided. If entry is considered necessary entry should be limited to the northern most reaches of this sector. Extreme caution must be exercised in this sector and the periphery of this sector at all times.

West wind should allow Fedor to work south of east, toward about 57 30S 94 00W over the next 24 hours. 
That will help set up for the approach to Cape Horn.
06 March 08/0000 UTC: NW 25knots.
06 March 08/1200 UTC W 20-25 knots
07 March 08/0000 UTC WSW 25-30 knots
07 March 08/1200 UTC WSW 20-25 knots.
Lee Bruce Tactical Weather.

Antarctica Cup Management are being provided iceberg tracking services by Canadian company C-CORE in conjunction with the European Space Agency (ESA). Satellite images provided on 5th March have located a massive iceberg around 70 nautical miles to the east of South Georgia Island (53.84S, 34.65W). This iceberg known as A53a is 47 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide (at 110 ks/hr it would take over an hour to drive around A53a).
A53a is the most northern of around 50 massive icebergs (minimum size of 10 nautical miles long) that are located around Antarctica. A53a has a diagonal fissure which indicates it may soon split forming two massive icebergs. A53a in itself is not a hazard to competitors on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack but what is a hazard is the thousands of ice particles, large and small, that are constantly breaking off A53a and are making their way north. This situation will expand when A53a splits into two. Antarctica Cup Ocean Race management team will meet on 6th March and examine the iceberg data provided and will discuss 'closing' some Sectors of Lanes of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack in the vicinity of South Georgia Island as well as issuing Fedor, his shore team, and weather router with instructions to exercise utmost care whilst Fedor traverses this hitherto never raced across zone of the South Atlantic Ocean.The following image of A53a is provided courtesy of C-CORE and ESA:

“The last three days were not very easy for us here deep in the Southern Ocean. The wind has been below 10 knots for prolonged periods and we are fighting big swells whilst forever trying to make our way towards Cape Horn. With not enough wind and a big swell the sails undergo a lot of stress (flapping side to side). As a result I have a damaged main sail. There are two vertical cracks in the middle of the sail, just below the second reef. Weather permitting I will try to repair it with a spectra patch and ‘sicaflex’. For this I need a dry day which is a rare moment down here.
At latitude 55 South and close the Polar Circle we get only five hours of darkness each day The rest of the time it’s mostly dark and grey. I get a feeling that we are stuck in time. The sun is supposed to come but it’s not coming. In addition with the heavy fog we had yesterday I’ve got a  feeling of being placed into a wet and cold cellar which is the environment we have in the navigation station which is where I live. In the cockpit it’s the same typical scenario - chilling wind and rain, sleet, snow, drizzle, big hail stones – we have it all day after day.  Can you imagine the sound of a hail stones rattling on my unlined aluminum deck? You cannot believe the din down below.
It is unbelievable how much rain is pouring into the Southern Ocean. So much fresh water being wasted. If we could transfer these clouds towards Central Australia the area would be a tropical forest.

Today I switched from the Pacific to the West Atlantic satellite for the Sat-C terminal. Although we are still in the Pacific it seemed we were out of the coverage zone.

Readers –you may think that I’m a tough person undertaking this journey around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Let me tell you the past three days have been very tough and I’ve been feeling very low. I’ve had very little sleep looking out for icebergs. The motion of the boat in these waves is awful. The damage to my mainsail is worrying me. I took a shower a few days back and must have caught a chill which forced me to spend a day in my wet sleeping bag feeling very sorry for myself. Things are better today. We have 1.100 nautical miles to Cape Horn. The wind is picking up now.
I saw one whale yesterday and one albatross today. In my last journey in this region I saw many albatross every day. What has happened to the magnificent albatross? Regards Fedor”.

Forecast from Lee Bruce – Tactical Weather
“The low for the 7^th-9^th March does not look to be quite as strong as suggested in yesterdays forecast, but 35-40 knot sustained wind near Fedor is still is possible on the 8^th March.
The forecast assumes sailing in a corridor between 55 30S and 56 30S:
05 March 08/0000 UTC: WNW 20-25 knots gusting 30 knots.
05 March 08/1200 UTC: NW 30 knots gusting 40 knots
06 March/0000 UTC: NW/NNW 30 knots gusting 40 knots.
06 March/0600 UTC: WNW 35 knots gusting 45 knots.
06 March/1200 UTC: WNW 30 knots gusting 40 knots.

Position: 56,23.91S , 104,57.14W
Speed: 6 knots, Course: 117 deg.
4th March 08. UTC 1927
WIND 20+ knots NW-WNW FEDOR OK.

Previous forecast for this period from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather: NW-WNW 25 Knots.

The first small boat to sail around Cape Horn was the 42 foot (13m) yacht Saoirse, sailed by Irishman Conor O’Brien with three friends, who
rounded it during a circumnavigation of the world between 1923 and 1925. In 1934, the Norwegian Al Hansen was the first to round Cape Horn
single-handed from east to west — the "wrong way" — in his boat Mary Jane, but was subsequently wrecked on the coast of Chile. The first person to successfully circumnavigate the world single-handed via Cape Horn was Argentine Vito Dumas, who made the voyage in 1942 in his 33-foot (10 m) ketch Lehg II; a number of other sailors have since followed him including Webb Chiles aboard "EGREGIOUS" who in December 1975 became the first American to round Cape Horn single-handed.

Footnote: Joshua Slocum went through the Strait of Magellan and not around Cape Horn. 

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
“One of the many weather features forecast to move through the region is a powerful low on the 7^th-9^th March.  So far, the center is expected to be no closer than about 500 nm to Fedor’s south, but sustained wind of 50 knots still could extend as far north as 58S.  So we will have to watch this storm carefully.
The forecast assumes sailing in a corridor between 55 30S and 56 30S:
04 March 08/0000 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots gusting 35 knots.
04 March 08/0900 UTC: NNW 25-30 knots gusting 35 knots.
04 March/1200 UTC: NNW/N 30-35 knots gusting 40 knots.
05 March/0000 UTC: NW/WNW 25 knots.
05 March/1200 UTC: NW 30-35 knots gusting 40 knots.
05 March/1800 UTC: NW 25-30 knots gusting 35 knots.
Lee”.

From Lee Bruce Tactical Weather:

“A broad area of low pressure is heading toward Fedor, with three separate low centers—all moving in different directions. The result is changeable wind, but mostly from the north and west over the next two-three days.Fedor may end up close to 57S by the 5^th March, and the wind direction should be mostly SW to NW through the 9^th March. In the shorter-term, the WNW wind may offer a chance for some northing. But we’re getting close enough to Cape Horn that 56S is probably about as far north as we should be by the 5^th March.”
03^rd Mar 08 /0000 UTC: NNW 15 knots
03^rd Mar 08/0600 UTC: NNW 10 knots, becoming variable N to SW <10 knots
03^rd Mar 08/1200 UTC: variable N to SW <10 knots, becoming WSW 10 knots
03^rd Mar 08/1800 UTC: WSW 10 knots, becoming WNW 25-30 gusting 35 knots
04^th Mar 08/0000 UTC: WNW 25-30 knots gusting 35 knots
04^th Mar 08/1200 UTC: NNW 30-35 knots.
04^th Mar 08/1800 UTC: N 40-45 knots gusting 50 knots
05^th Mar 08/0000 UTC: NW 30-35 knots.

This graphic indicates the sea surface temperature along the Antarctica Cup Racetrack between the north and south boundaries of the Racetrack (45S - 60S). It can be seen that the sea surface temperature to the east of Cape Horn extending beyond south of Cape Agulhas is predominately 32 Fahrenheit. Fedor's coldest spell of ocean is yet to come.

The longer-range outlook suggests that being closer to 54 30S is better (rather than 55 30S), to avoid headwinds. But the wind in the near-term may make it difficult for Fedor to hold much north in his course.  Fedor should try to stay north as much as possible (use a WP of 54 30S 110W as a goal).
01Mar 08/0000-0600 UTC: SW 15 knots, becoming SSW 15 knots
01 Mar 08/0600 UTC: SW 10-15 knots, becoming SW 18-23 knots
01 Mar 08/1200 UTC: SW 18-23 knots
01 Mar 08/1800 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
02 Mar 08/0000 UTC: W 15-20 knots, becoming NNW 15-20 knots
02 Mar 08/0600 UTC: NNW 20-25 knots, becoming N 20-25 knots gusting 30 knots
02Mar 08/1200 UTC: NNW 20 knots, becoming light/variable
02 Mar 08/1800 UTC – 03 Mar 08/1200 UTC: 56S: Variable with another low nearby.  Lee.

Fedor crossed GATE 6 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack at 21:24:30 on 29th February 2008. Elapsed time between GATE 5 and GATE 6 is 7 Days, 6 Hours, 54 minutes. (GATE 6 is yet to be named)
ETA Cape Horn is +9 Days = 10th March 08.
ETA Albany +47 Days = 16th April 08.
% of distance Albany - Albany covered = 34%.
Days since Start = 35 

“Another large iceberg sited in position 54.99S and 122.73W. It’s becoming very scary to sail in these waters. The situation is also complicated by Cape Horn ahead. Icebergs are a great threat to the boat and to avoid or minimize this threat I need to come up North but instead I must sail south towards Cape Horn. Drake Passage is the only gate for me to get into Southern Atlantic Ocean. I need to dive South for another 150 miles to clear the Cape and I was progressing SE all night until we met iceberg number four. Now we have headwinds from ESE. I tacked and have come up a NNE heading until the wind shifts to the west.
Lee Bruce wants us to be on 56S by tomorrow to have the best set up for Cape Horn, but I am holding on 54-55S due to the ice conditions. The 10 mm alloy plate on my boat is not the best shield from compressed ice. When I met the first iceberg I was exited as this was something new and a different shape on the horizon. The second and third icebergs brought some safety concerns and today’s iceberg gave me confirmation that we are in a belt of icebergs drifting up from Antarctica. It seems we are surrounded by drifting ice traveling NE and we are crossing their way sailing SE.
I can assure you that it is very hard to spot icebergs on the radar. All four were spotted visually. Only then I switched on the radar to find the distance. Even when I knew where the iceberg was at that moment on the screen it was not very clear and hard to visualize. In a storm and in high seas chances are very slim to spot icebergs on the radar.
I never experienced that many icebergs during my previous three round the world sailings. When you are in the storm you have forecast with wind force, direction, wave height and period. With icebergs it’s a lottery. Am I lucky?
How about at night time like yesterday? It was pitch dark, foggy and raining. With my 1 million candle power torch I could hardly see the bowsprit which only 15 meters ahead. The chance to spot an iceberg 100 meters ahead with this torch is zero.
According to the Routing Southern Pacific chart – we are only approaching to the boundaries of the zone of drifting ice but the map is some 10 years old and with global warming this map is not valid any more. In my expeditions and sailing projects I am witnessing global warming first hand. Last Spring in Greenland at the finish stretch of a dog sled expedition on the west coast we had to travel 10 kilometers over rocks and gravel. A decade ago this area was covered by a thick ice cap and the glacier was dropping directly into the ocean. Here in the Southern Ocean I can see that Antarctica is loosing its ice shield rapidly in large scale. That aside we are on a course of 54S with 1.700 nautical miles to Cape Horn, 10 knots of wind from SE and a confused sea and icebergs jumping out every morning. Regards, Fedor”
Forecast from Lee Bruce of Tactical Weather:
“As the low passes north of Fedor, the wind will fill in from the SW quadrant for a couple of days, before shifting to NNW ahead of the next front on the 2nd of March. As the wind shifts over the next several days, Fedor should find that his position is near 56S. That’s OK, since we need to have him near 57S for the Cape Horn passage. But given the recent iceberg sightings, that is not a position that allows for relaxation no matter the weather. The problem is that to be far enough north to lessen the iceberg threat puts Fedor too far north to reliably make a heading for passing Cape Horn. Aiming WP: 55 30S, 115 00W
By 29^th Feb /0600 UTC: SW to WSW 20-25 knots.
29^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: SW 20-25 knots.
01^st March 08/0000 UTC: WNW 15 knots
01^st March 08/0600 UTC: SW 13-18 knots
01^st March 08/1800 UTC: WSW 15 knots

At around 1930 UTC 28th Feb 08 position 54.99S, 122.73W Fedor reported yet another iceberg. We are awaiting more details. The challenge for Fedor, his support team, and race organisers is to manage what is becoming a daily siting of icebergs as Fedor endeavours to set the best course for Cape Horn given the anticipated weather over the next week.

Typical tabular iceberg

Fedor reports two more large icebergs.
Boat Position:
53,50.54S , 124,42.65W
Speed: 5 knots, Course: 91 deg.
27^th Feb 08. 2130 UTC
“One iceberg was on my port side, another on the starboard side. I sailed between them. The icebergs are around 500 meters in size. The wind is very light and we slowly passed them at 5 knots. Today is very good visibility and moderate swell so I can see for miles around the boat.
I am in a complicated situation now – we need to sail South towards Cape Horn, but even on 53 South we have seen three (3) very large icebergs in 48 hours and every degree South will increase the chances to see more icebergs”.

With his current position, it looks like the Low will pass north of Fedor, which means more headwinds and a SSE or S course for a time.  But the Low is on the move, so the headwinds will be temporary (approximately 28^th Feb 08/0600 UTC-2100 UTC).
The forecast assumes slow east progress through about 28^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC, then a SE heading as the wind clocks. That heading may be SSE and even close to S for a time, as the wind shifts. An ESE heading should be possible as the wind fills in from the WSW on the 29^th Feb 08.
Looking ahead, I think Fedor will be near 56S by the 1^st of March—not much help with icebergs, but good for setting up for Cape Horn.
28^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: Becoming NW 5knots, then clocking to N 5-10 knots.
28^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: NNE 10 knots, becoming NE 15-20 knots
28^th Feb 08/120 UTC: ENE 15-20 knots, clocking to SE 15 knots
28^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: SE 10 knots, clocking to S 5 knots
29^th Feb 08/000 UTC: SW 5-10 knots
29^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: WSW 10-15 knots
29^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: WSW 15 knots
29^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: SW 15 knots
Lee Bruce Tactical Weather

The low shown above will be travelling four times as fast as Fedor, and the centre will pass very close to Fedor. As the low approaches, it is forecast to strengthen, with the central pressure dropping 10 millibars in 24 hours. The wind field around the low will be asymmetrical, with a band of 35 knot west wind displaced 100 nm north of the centre, and east wind of <20 knots in the southern quadrant of the low.

The air temperatures indicated below are likely higher than the temperatures being experienced by Fedor.

Starting on the 26th of January, Australia Day, from Albany, Western Australia yacht Open 85 “Trading Network Alye Parusa” has sailed 5.300 nautical miles (9.500 km) through light and variable winds in the Indian Ocean and three furious storms in the South Pacific Ocean and is now approaching the legendary Cape Horn.
Quote from Fedor 27^th Feb 08: “Despite the various conditions we have experienced over the past 30 days; head winds, no wind, 65 knots of wind, rain, snow, and icebergs the month has passed very quickly. Sailing around Antarctica was my dream for many years. Yes, it’s very cold here and the weather can be extreme but the Southern Ocean has its own beauty and as an artist I’m thrilled by what I see every day, by the size of the ocean we are sailing, by the environment that surrounds us. My only wish is for my boat to stay in working order to let me continue this magnificent journey. I’m enjoying every mile of this adventure as it’s a once in a life time opportunity. I know many offshore sailors who want and will sail the Antarctica Cup Race Track but me and my boat are privileged to sail this route first. We have a unique leg ahead from Cape Horn to Cape Aguhlas all in the deep Southern Atlantic Ocean. This will be uncharted waters for me and I look forward to experience this part of Southern Ocean. I’m sure that the second month will be as eventful as the first. Once we round Cape Horn we will be on the road home to Albany. Best regards – Fedor”

After a week of storms Fedor is heading into lighter weather which should offer a bit of respite and slightly warmer air which will be good for drying out man and boat but will slow progress a little towards Cape Horn.
From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
I adjusted again for Fedor’s progress and the latest forecast for the low. It now looks as though the center of the low might pass nearly overhead of Fedor. The low isn’t terribly strong, so I suspect the worst conditions would be light and variable wind, plus confused waves—if the low passes over the top of him. But we may just sneak over the north side of the low, and stay in better wind speed, as the wind direction shifts from NE to N to NW. We will have to see how subsequent forecasts treat this feature.
Ideally, Fedor should try to get to 53S 124W. Any more north than that will help, but he will be sailing deep in the SW wind as it is and once the wind speed drops there will be little that Fedor can do to get farther north. As the wind fills in from the NNE, Fedor will have to sail as high as possible to limit the southing.
Forecast position of low at 28^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: 53 45S 124 00W, moving ESE at 22 knots.
Basically, Fedor should try to get in as much northing as possible, until the wind fades.
27^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: SW 25-30 knots
27^th Feb 08/0900 UTC: SW 20-25 knots
27^th Feb 08/1500 UTC: SW to SSW 15 knots
27^th Feb 08/2100 UTC: SW 5-10 knots
28^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: Light and variable
28^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: NNE 10 knots
28^th Feb 08/1200 UTC : NNE 15-20 knots
28^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: backing to NW 20-25 knots (assumes low passes to south)
Lee

"It was very clear in the morning. The iceberg is more then 2-3 miles in size! Massive. Like an island" From Oscar Konyukov in Albany: "Fedor reported that he sailed alongside the iceberg, filmed it with his stern camera, and once he passed it switched to the cockpit camera - so we have footage from two angles. While he was working with the cameras, he nearly hit two house size growlers. They passed less then 100 meters away!"
From Fedor: "Massive ocean swells are crashing into this berg, the berg is flat, but surrounded by sharp and tall cliffs. Hitting this berg would mean like going aground somewhere on a rocky shore."

Following message received by Oscar Konyukhov from Fedor Konyukhov 25th Feb 08 1645 UTC:
"Just spotted on my starboard side within 1 mile distance a huge iceberg. I filmed it on my camera. Here is position. 54.5S, 133.147W. Fedor".

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Another complicated weather pattern is in store for Fedor, so we can plan the short-term attack, but we need to remain flexible for the longer-term. It wouldn’t matter as much if we didn’t have Cape Horn in the way!
So far, it looks like we may be able to avoid headwinds by steering toward 52S 110W, and the long-range outlook suggests that we will have enough opportunities to get south before reaching Cape Horn. 52S is farther north than I would prefer (having recently said that 51S is too far north), but the weather in the Southern Hemisphere is changeable in the extreme, so we can’t stay locked in a plan if presented with a different playing field. At the end of the day, the idea is to keep Fedor moving as fast as we can, so we just need to focus on how to make that happen without causing problems down the course.
The forecast assumes an average heading of 070-085T through 27^th Feb 08/0000 UTC, toward 53S 125W.
26^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: SW to SSW 30-35 knots
26^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: SSW 20-25 knots
26^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: WSW 15-20 knots
26^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: NW 15-20 knots
27^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: Shifting from NNW 15 knots, to WNW 15-20 knots
27^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
27^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: SW/SSW 30knots
Lee

Quote from Fedor Day 30 into the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race:
“The maxi yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ is riding out the third powerful storm since leaving Albany.
During my previous crossings of the Southern Pacific this vast Ocean was always kind to me and I was hoping we would get a smooth run this time, but it seems the Pacific would like to prove that she can be violent and “un-pacific”. We are riding from one storm into another with only a 24 hours pause between. Even during these 24 hours you can’t rest as with 20 knots of wind you have to negotiate 10 meters of swell – leftovers from the previous Low. In these conditions you simply can’t work the sails properly and when at last the sea state becomes cooperative another powerful turbulence comes along.
I’m riding out this current storm. I look into the next 7 days forecast that suggests a massive Low passing across our heading from NW to SE by 01^st March. There are not many options left for us to negotiate this new Low. By the time we meet it I hope to be 1.000 nautical miles to Cape Horn and my only choice will be to head into Drake Passage – regardless of the weather.
Right now we have 2.000 miles to Cape Horn.
Regards, Fedor”
According to the forecast from Lee Bruce:

25^th Feb 08/0000 UTC WSW 45-50knots gusting 60 knots.
25^th Feb 0800/0600 UTC: SW 40-50 knots
Fedor in his Sat-C email messages confirmed wind up to 60 knots:
Position: 54,0.86S , 137,12.24W
Speed: 15 knots, Course: 110 deg.
25^th February 08| 0056UTC
wind 50-60 knots WSW

Fedor can work for best speed in a corridor of 53S to 55S, with 54-55S favoured.  Variable wind is in the forecast for the 26^th Feb. The headwinds on the 28^th  Feb look light and short-term.  I’m also watching the longer-term forecast that shows a strong low crossing the course from NW to SE around the 1^st March.  So far, to handle that low, 54-55S looks better than being farther north
25^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 45-50 knots gusting 60 knots
25^th Feb 08/0600 UTC: SW 40-50 knots
25^th Feb/1200 UTC: SSW 30-35 knots.
25^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots
26^th Feb 08/0000 UTc: SSW 20 knots
26^th Feb 08/0600 UTC thru 27^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: SW 15 knots to W <10 knots to N 10-15 knots to WSW 30 knots.
Lee

More big wind and waves ahead for Fedor (50+knot wind; 12+metre waves), to be followed by HEADWINDS!
The long-range outlook suggests headwinds for Fedor by the 28^th Feb.  Luckily, those will be short-lived and relatively light (at least no gale).  And if the long-term forecast is correct, Fedor would have to go well north—all the way to 51S—to avoid all headwinds.  That’s not a good idea, considering that he needs to be south of 56S to clear Cape Horn.  Granted, Cape Horn is a long way off, but now is not the time to take a big swing north, because there is no place to go if you get stuck too far north.
Fedor should be able to put some more south in as the wind shifts, and I used 53 45S 135 00W as a WP (but Fedor can be anywhere between 53S and 54 30S at 135W, without any problems).
The strong wind for the 25^th Feb extends more than 100 nautical miles north and south of Fedor, so there is no escaping it.
24^th Feb 08/0000UTC: SW to WSW 25 knots
24the Feb 08/0600 UTC: W 25-30 knots.
24^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: W to WSW 35-45 knots gusting 50 knots
24^th Feb 08/1800 UTC: WSW 35-45 knots gusting 50 knots
25^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 45-50 knots gusting 60 knots
25^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: SSW 35-40 knots.
Lee

“All is fine on board our hardworking yacht “Trading Network Alye Parusa”. For the past 12 hours we were sailing in wind 40+ knots gusting 50 knots. The ocean surface is white driven by the strong winds. It seems that a westerly flow of wind will stay strong all the way to Cape Horn which is 2,500 miles ahead (great circle course). The forecast shows a strong Low just ENE of us moving fast East. We are using the back wind of this Low and plan to hold on to this system as long as we can. It’s a favourable situation for me as there is no chance that the Low will pass over my boat like what happened four days ago.  
The wind is from the SSW bringing even colder air from Antarctica. I think it’s close to 0C now but I don’t have a thermometer on board. Spotted a school of whales moving North.
I’m using radar to spot icebergs and had one situation during the night when it looked like a solid reflective surface at position of 54,6 S and 149,15W. I bore away a few degrees until we cleared this dot on the screen. Definitely something was floating there. We have had SW winds for prolonged periods of time so there is a risk of an iceberg/s being blown to 54 South. From now on to 57 South, the latitude of Cape Horn, the chances of seeing icebergs is quite high.
Fried in my pan the last 3 “barn eggs from Albany”. A tasty reminder of quality food you enjoy on dry land. From now on it’s dry food, rice, spaghetti, and some tinned fish. I’m not a very big fan of freeze-dry food. I ate it a lot during the Seven Summits climbs and trips to the North and South Poles. It’s light but not very tasty, but when you are pulling a 140 kg sled to the South Pole every gram of weight matters. Since I’m sailing on this maxi boat, with according to the boat registration papers ‘56 tons gross tonnage,’ I can carry some cans as it will not affect the boat performance. Right now grilled chicken would be the best meal for me.
Regards, Fedor”

Latest weather forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Even though Fedor is reporting 50 knot wind, he’s actually behind the heaviest part of a storm.  There is more south in the forecast wind to come, so Fedor will likely end up farther north than originally planned, but that is OK. Hopefully, he can stay on headings that are south of 060T, until the wind shifts to WSW again.
23^rd Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW to SW 40knots gusting 50 knots.
23^rd Feb 08/0600 UTC: SW to SSW 40 knots gusting 50 knots.
23^rd Feb 08/1200 UTC: SSW 30 knots gusting 40 knots.
23^rd Feb 08/1800 UTC: SSW 25-30 knots.
24^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 20 knots (Fedor can head south of east again)
24^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC: W 30 knots becoming WSW 30-40 knots.
Lee.

On 22 Feb 08 at 1430 UTC Fedor crossed Gate 5 LEWIS GATE on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The elapsed time between Gate 4 ROSS GATE and Gate 5 LEWIS GATE was 6 DAYS 0 HOURS 44 MINUTES. (this is 2 DAYS 6 HOURS 33 MINUTES quicker than what Fedor took to cross between Gates 3 and 4 the same distance as between Gate 4 and Gate 5).

The Antarctica Cup Racetrack traverses 360° of longitude.
Fedor’s target is to average 5° of longitude per day. 360/5 = 76 days Albany to Albany.
Fedor’s position after 27.5 days is 150W. Albany is at 118E. Albany 118E to 150W = 92° of longitude covered (26% of total distance).
Target after 27.5 days = 27.5 x 5° = 137.5° of longitude. Actual is 92° of longitude.
Behind schedule = 45.5° of longitude divided by 5 = 9.1 days behind schedule (due to light variable winds for first 20 days).
From Gate 4 (180W) to Gate 5 (150W) is 30° of longitude. Fedor covered this in six (6) days which is on schedule.
Albany (118E) to Cape Horn (67W) is 175° of longitude (49% of distance around the Racetrack).
From Gate 5 (150W) to Cape Horn (67W) Fedor has to travel through 83° of longitude.
83/5 = 16.6 days to reach Cape Horn.  From Gate 5 (150W) to Albany (118E) is 268°. 268/5 = 53.60 days to reach Albany.

Note:
The distance at various degrees of latitude varies along the Antarctica Cup Racetrack for example:
At latitude 45°South each degree of longitude = 42.4 nautical miles (100%)
At latitude 50°South each degree of longitude = 38.6 nautical miles (9% less)
At latitude 55°South each degree of longitude = 34.5 nautical miles (19% less)
At latitude 60°South each degree of longitude = 30.0 nautical miles (29% less)
Travelling at the higher latitudes requires less distance travelled but severely increases risks of ice bergs.

A ‘great circle’ course between Gates of the Racetrack at various latitudes is less distance between points along that latitude. For example at latitude 45°South from Gate 4 (180W) to Gate 6 (120W) the distance along the 45S latitude line is 60° x 42.4 = 2,544 nautical miles. The ‘great circle distance between the same points is 2,486 nautical miles

Gate 5 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is named after the New Zealand doctor, sailor, adventurer, and anthropoligist Dr David Lewis (1917 - 2002).
Lewis was born in England and raised in New Zealand and Rarotonga. He was sent to the Polynesian school in Rarotonga, where he developed his appreciation for Polynesian identity and culture.
After an adventurous childhood and teenage years including mountaineering and skiing in New Zealand, and a multi-hundred mile kayak journey, he traveled to England in 1938 for medical training, and served in the British army as a medical officer. After the war, he worked as a doctor in London, and was involved in setting up the National Health Service. With the announcement in 1960 of the first single-handed trans-Atlantic yacht race (from Plymouth, UK to the US East Coast), Lewis decided to enter in a small 25-foot boat. Following a series of accidents, including a dismasting shortly after leaving, he finished third (Francis Chichester came first), as described in his book The Ship Would Not Travel Due West. He later decided to sail around the world with his wife and two small daughters, and built the ocean cruising catamaran Rehu Moana, for this purpose. After an initial voyage towards Greenland, he entered the 1964 single-handed trans-Atlantic race and picked up his family in the United States. They circumnavigated by way of the Strait of Magellan, the South Pacific and the Cape of Good Hope. (See his book Daughters of the Wind.) This was the world’s first circumnavigation by multihull. Following his longstanding interest in old navigational methods used to explore and populate the Pacific, he employed similar techniques for the Tahiti-New Zealand leg of the Rehu Moana voyage without using a compass, sextant or marine chronometer.
In 1967, Lewis acquired another boat, Isbjorn, to embark on further field studies of traditional Polynesian navigation. With a research grant from the Australian National University he set out for the Pacific again to study traditional navigation techniques. Lewis chronicled this voyage and research in various articles and in his books We, the Navigators and The Voyaging Stars.
Lewis’ next adventure was an attempt at circumnavigating Antarctica single-handed. For this he acquired a small steel yacht, named Ice Bird. Facing treacherous conditions in the Southern Ocean after departing, Lewis was not heard from for 13 weeks but –incredibly-- frostbitten and exhausted, sailed Ice Bird to the Antarctic Peninsula under a jury rig after dismasting. He repaired the vessel in Antarctica and left again to complete the voyage, but was capsized again and eventually brought the boat to Cape Town, South Africa. This is described in his bestseller book, Ice Bird
After the Ice Bird voyage, Lewis was involved in setting up the Oceanic Research Foundation with the aim of sending private expeditions to the Antarctic. In a converted fishing vessel with a number of crew, Lewis made a summer expedition to Antarctica and wintered over there. Lewis spent some of his later years conducting research into traditional navigation techniques of the Inuit on the Bering Strait region.
Following this, he retired to New Zealand to write his autobiography, Shapes on the Wind. It was said of Lewis in one obituary that he “always brought his crews home intact. He was a typical Polynesian sailor, getting into trouble through haste and neglect, then, with near superhuman courage and seamanship, fighting his way out of it.”
In recognition of his various academic, adventure, sailing and anthropological endeavors, and he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He was the recipient of the following honours: Honorary Citizen of Newport, Rhode Island (1964); Francis Chichester Trophy from the Royal Yacht Squadron (1965); Bernard Fergusson Trophy for New Zealand 'Yachtsman of the Year' (1965); Daily Telegraph Award as 'Traveller of the Year' (1967); Royal Cruising Club Seamanship Medal (1967 and 1975); Honorary MSc from Leeds University (1967); Fellowship and Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Navigation and the Royal Institute of Navigation (1975); Superior Achievement Award of the American Institute of Navigation (1975); Honorary Life Member of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the Royal Cruising Club, and the Little Ship Club; Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America (1982); attachments to the University of Alaska (1988-91) and the University of Auckland and National Maritime Museum of New Zealand (1990-96); Australian Geographic Society's 'Adventurer of the Year' (1998); Member of the Society to Study Human Performance in Extreme Environments (1999); Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2001); and Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Navigation (2002).

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Fedor may find himself near 53S 142W over the next 48 hours, based on a fair amount of SW wind.
Basically, Fedor can sail for best speed in a range of 080T-110T for the next two days.
22^nd Feb 08/0000 UTC WSW 25-30 knots
22^nd Feb 08/1200 UTC: WSW 35-40 gusting 45-50 knots
23^rd Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 35-40 gusting 45-50 knots
23^rd Feb 08/1200 UTC: SW/SSW 30-35 knots
23^rd Feb 08/1800 UTC : SW 25-30 knots
24^th Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
Lee

“All is fine on board 'Trading Network Alye Parusa', we are sailing East at 10-12 knots towards Cape Horn. There is less than 3.000 miles left to the Horn – sounds like a Transatlantic race distance and does not look as far-far away. For now, I would like to stay in the middle of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack around 52-53 South. It is interesting to see how Cape Horn will meet us. It will be quite unusual not to round and go up (the South Atlantic), but to continue due East towards Australia and Albany.
I know it is full moon now, but we keep sailing in complete darkness. Several layers of clouds and constant rain-drizzle with frequent portions of snow make it is very unpleasant to work in the cockpit.
All my gear is wet and I can only change one wet weather jacket for another which “dry out” for 2-3 hours on the hook in my cabin. It is as wet inside as it is out on the deck. Condensation is everywhere. My sleeping bag feels like it was washed but has not been dried out. I have several sleeping bags and this helps a lot. I wish I had 10 of them. With the rolling seas we have now, I can even think to open the hatch on deck for ventilation. Here in the Southern Ocean you always fight something. Now that the storm has passed I’m fighting the cold. I have to put plastic bags onto my feet in order to keep them warm and not to lose body temperature. Obviously hat and gloves are on. Basically you are sailing inside a refrigerator.
Along the Antarctica Cup Race Track storms can be violent and massive, but they come and go and I can live with that, but never-ending cold is the major problem. I’m a single-handed sailor and allowed to use an autopilot, but future fully crewed boat entrants for the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race will have to spend 24 hours on deck in similar storm conditions and I doubt that they will have heating however a carbon fiber hull is warmer than an aluminum hull like mine. Equipment and working gear should be very well planned and selected.
Let’s hope we will safely reach Albany and I can present a list of my recommendation to the future participants in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. Fighting the cold will be number one on my list.
Warm regards from freezing Southern Pacific – Fedor Konyukhov”
Position: 52,48.26S , 158,58.59W
Speed: 9 knots, Course: 93 deg.

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Overall heading for the next couple of days looks to be about 110 True, with periods of 090 True and 115True. Aiming Way Point: 54 30S to 55 00S, 146W to 147W.
21^st Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 25-30 knots21^st Feb 08/0600 UTC: W 20-25 knots
21stFeb 08/1200 UTC: W 30 knots.
21^st Feb 08/1800 UTC: SW 25 knots
22^nd Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 20-25 knots
22^nd Feb 08/0600 UTC: WSW/SW 30-40 knots
22^nd Feb 08/1800 UTC: SW 40-50 knots
Lee
(‘True’ is a navigational term referring to the direction of the Poles relative to the navigator's position. In other words, it is the direction of the geographical North Pole and South Pole from a given point. This is different from the magnetic Poles).

Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather has forecast what Fedor, his shore team, the race organisers, and many thousands of Fedor fans around the world have been waiting to hear; Weather Improvements ahead!

Through 20^th Feb 08/1200 UTC: WSW 30-40 knots.
21^st Feb 08/0000 UTC: WSW 25-30 knots.
21^st Feb 08/0600 UTC: W 20-25 knots.
21^st Feb 08/1200 UTC: W 25-30 knots.
Lee.

19th Feb 08. 1705 UTC
Position 52S, 164W
Boat Speed 11 Knots, Course 65 degrees
Wind 40 knots SW
FEDOR OK 

Racetrack distance (average course at latitude 52.5S) Albany to Albany 14,150 nautical miles.
Current position 52.40S, 167W
Percentage of course completed 19th Feb 0530 UTC = 25%.
Distance to Cape Horn = 3,100 nautical miles.
Distance to Albany = 10,600 nautical miles.
Average daily run since leaving Albany = 162 nautical miles.
ETA Cape Horn = 06 March 08.
ETA Albany = 16 April 08.

“The irony is that in the storm conditions, Fedor is racking up his best average speeds since leaving Albany, but that higher speed is keeping him in the strong wind and huge waves a bit longer than if he were sailing slower.
Looking beyond the storm:  The wind moderates, but there is no suggestion of light wind through at least the 25^th  Feb. Fedor deserves a stretch of good wind after the light wind troubles earlier, and the too-strong winds of late.
19^th Feb 08 /0000 UTC-1800 UTC: SW 45-55 knots gusting 60 knots
19^Th Feb 08 /1800 UTC: SW 35-40 knots
20^th Feb 08 /0000 UTC : WSW 30 knots
20^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC : SW/WSW 35-40 knots
20^th Feb 08 /1200 UTC: SW 30-35 Kots
21^st Feb 08 /0000 UTC: WSW 25 knots
Lee”

All is fine.  I have a hot cup of coffee.  Spotted first albatross since storm started.  Wind still gusting up to 50 knots, barometer raised to 1000Mb from 960 yesterday morning. Waves unbelievable. Wet and damp inside the cabin. Weather permitting I would like to open one of the hatches to get some ventilation below - maybe tomorrow. Feet very cold, had to use garbage plastic bags inside my boots.
From Oscar Konyukhov from race control in Albany: “In general Fedor sounded happy to see the storm passing through and he hopes to get some rest”.

“It looks like we’re in the eye of storm; the wind dropped to 40 knots and the sky has cleared up so that I can see some stars! It was such a nice surprise. Although Lee Bruce says it’s only temporary as the storm is passing over and we will soon end up on the other side of the Low. Fist loss from the start - B&G mast head unit is gone. It’s not working. It’s either damaged by the wind or by mast vibration and stress. Right now I can’t see the top of the mast. I will check tomorrow using my binoculars to see if the impeller is still in place. We will continue on Raymarine masthead unit which is a backup system with basic functions not so advanced as B&G but it is better then nothing.
The waves are not normal waves they are small hills with white foamy rollers traveling at high speed. I try to keep them at 120 degree angles to the boat. This is the safest way to sail with them. Each wave is 100 meters apart – perfect for surfing.  I have a 25 meter surf board!  If we catch the wave we are running down at 15-16 knots, otherwise we are climbing on top of the long swell. Overall conditions are similar to what we prepared for and the boat performed quite well.
While we have a pause with the wind it is time to put the kettle on and prepare some hot food. Needless to say we are in a cold front and everything is frozen here, plus we often get snowy squalls. My only source of warmth is a mug of coffee.  Regards, Fedor”.

“Very sad to hear that Groupama 3 capsized. I know most of the crew personally and sailed with Yves Parlier in the Vendee Globe 2000. Before it was good to know that there were other guys sailing in the Southern Ocean waters, but not any more.
Thank God all were rescued and are unhurt.
Here at 52 South it is very harsh conditions with winds 50-55 knots, gusts up to 65 knots, and monstrous seas. Some of the waves are half the height of my 110 ft mast. It is difficult to breath on deck when standing against the wind. The main sail is completely down lashed to the boom. I have 1/3 of the stay-sail set and the boat is going at 10 knots, surfing 15 knots on the waves. It’s very rough but boat is holding up OK and conditions are gradually weakening. Fedor”.

Unless you have been there it’s almost impossible to imagine what Fedor is experiencing in the grip of this furious mid ocean storm.  As his 86 foot boat pitches and yaws, often violently, every moveable object inside and outside the boat must be restrained otherwise they become missiles.  No movement inside or outside the boat can be made without ‘one hand for me - one hand for the boat’.  The wide beam of Fedor’s boat (23 feet) tipped on its side provides opportunities to fall far and incur serious injury.  Every muscle in the body is being called upon when moving inside and outside the boat.
Inside the boat the unlined aluminium hull will resound like a big drum. Momentarily the boat will be airborne and will drop with a resounding crash onto the sea surface stressing boat and rigging to frightening limits.  The sea surface will be completely white. The wind will literally be screaming in the rigging. It is impossible to look directly into the wind as spray, like shot gun pellets, will hit your face. All this must be endured alone. Sleep is impossible. Cooking is impossible.  You are not human if you are not frightened.  You hope it will be over soon.

The 17^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC forecast data are similar to what was sent in the 16^th Feb 08 /2350 UTC forecast.  The worst should occur in the 18^th Feb /0600 UTC – 19^th Feb /0600 UTC time frame, but as Fedor's last report showed, it's not a picnic now.  I would not be shocked to see Fedor record a wind speed above 70 knots during this storm (Force 11 Beaufort Scale). 
As the waves build, they can interfere with the wind, causing directional shifts, and surges and lulls.  Large waves can act like hills, concentrating the wind near the peaks, and shifting the direction and speed in the troughs.  With the wind instruments near the top of the mast (more than 100ft off the water), there may be changes recorded as the instruments move toward and away from wave peaks. Near the peaks, the wind may be concentrated, but friction can also reduce that effect (wind over water is not affected as much as wind over land, but there can be some reduction). On the other hand, at the top of the waves, the instruments will be farther from friction effects, but also farther from concentration of the wind against the wave.  So, there are many factors that will influence the wind speeds recorded during the storm.

Position: 52,24.54S , 174,17.13W
Speed: 8 knots, Course: 92 deg.
17th Feb 2008 21:12UTC
Wind  40-50-55 -45  kt  WSW  FEDOR  OK

“Tonight the maxi yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ crossed Longitude 180 East and entered into the ‘western hemisphere’. We also crossed the international dateline so we sailed back into yesterday! The boat will sail in the ‘western hemisphere’ across two Oceans: South Pacific and South Atlantic until she crosses the Greenwich Meridian Longitude 0W/0E and back into the ‘eastern hemisphere’.
Longitude 180E also marked GATE 4 ‘ROSS GATE’ on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. Fourteen (14) Gates to go before we head to Albany!
We are already getting the breath of the storm to come. Cold wind 30+ knots from the SW and a confused sea. I tried to sleep tonight for at least two hours (2), but could only nap for 30-40 minutes as the wind was gradually increasing and shifting from SSE to SSW. I had to spend many hours in the cockpit. To sleep here means I’m in the navigation station area bunk ( the only place on the boat where I sleep when sailing solo) fully geared up with sea boots, hat, harness on and always ready to run into the cockpit. I set the alarm clock in order not to fall into a deep sleep. I change the Raymarine autopilots every two hours (one set each for the two rudders) in order to cool them down and reduce wear and tear on such a trip. I never get more than two (2) hours of continuous rest and in weather like now 30 minutes of nap is maybe what I get after six (6) hours on watch.
This morning I cooked rice with dried fruits. This was my hot meal for today and perhaps for the next 48 hours. I filled both thermoses with hot water; this should be enough for today. The rest is busyness as usual. The atmosphere is drizzle or rain in squalls but I guess that is not news any more. I will talk with you again after the coming storm has abated. Fedor”.

Forecast from Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
17^th Feb 08 /0000-0600 UTC: Becoming WSW 30-35 knots.
17^th Feb 08 /0600-1200 UTC: Becoming WSW 35-40 knots gusting 45 knots.
17^th Feb 08 /1200-18^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC: WSW 35-40 knots gusting 45 knots.
18^th Feb 08 /0600-19^th Feb 08 /0600 UTC: WSW 45-50 knots gusting 60 knots.
19^th Feb 08 /1200 UTC -20^th Feb 08 /0000 UTC: WSW 30-35 knots.
Waves should gradually increase, with max of 12-13m (40 feet), occasional 14-16m (53 feet) from about 18^th Feb /0900 -19^th Feb /1200 UTC.
Wave height predictions are based on the average of the highest one-third of the combined swell and wind waves; some waves will be higher, which is why I added a forecast of occasional waves to 16m (53 feet). Lee”.

Footnote:
Beaufort Scale
Force 10. 48 – 55 knots. Very high waves. The sea surface is white and there is considerable tumbling. Visibility is reduced.
Force 11. 56 – 63 knots. Exceptionally high waves.
Force 12. 64 knots and more. Huge waves. Air filled with foam and spray. Sea completely white with driving spray. Visibility greatly reduced.

GATE 4 of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack is named after the British Admiral Sir James Clark Ross.

Ross joined the British navy at age 11 retiring with the rank of admiral. Ross spent 15 years exploring the Arctic before turning his attention to Antarctica. On May 31, 1831, Ross located the position of the north magnetic pole on Boothia Peninsula in northern Canada. Antarctica and the south magnetic pole was the next challenge. In April 1839 Ross took command of the 370-ton EREBUS with his friend Francis Crozier assuming command of the 340-ton TERROR. On October 5, 1839, EREBUS and TERROR left England on their southern voyage.
Ross and the EREBUS landed in Hobart on August 16, 1840; the TERROR had landed the day before. Ross read newspaper accounts of the French and American searches for the magnetic south pole. Both Dumont d'Urville and Charles Wilkes were doing research in an area that Ross felt was his expertise and his alone. Wilkes was kind enough to leave Ross charts of his course and discoveries, although Ross never truly acknowledged the gesture. Ross made the decision to take a more easterly course for his search of the south magnetic pole rather than follow in Wilkes' footsteps. At daybreak, on November 12, 1840, EREBUS and TERROR pulled up their anchors and left Hobart for the Antarctic.
One week later, they came upon the Auckland Islands. Approaching the islands, they noticed two boards erected on tall poles. On one board was a hand-painted sign recognizing American Charles Wilkes visiting the island on March 10 of the same year while the other painted sign was a notice from Dumont d'Urville recognizing his visit on the following day, March 11! Some magnetic observations and survey work was accomplished and the ships then sailed on to Campbell Island. On December 17 the two ships left Campbell Island and on December 27 they encountered the first icebergs and whales. On December 30 they crossed Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen's path and on New Year's Day, 1841, they crossed the Antarctic Circle.
They soon came upon the Antarctic pack of ice that had yet to be penetrated by man. Encountering bad weather, the ice stretched before them "motionless and menacing". Poor weather continued but on January 5 Ross decided to "make the attempt on the ice and push the ships as far into it as we could get them". At 5 am on January 9 they broke into an open sea. Ross had discovered the Ross Sea and he now set his sights on the south magnetic pole. On January 11 land was reported straight ahead. Ross first thought it to be an ice-blink whiteness in the sky caused by the reflection of ice ahead) but as they approached they realized the ice-blink was actually a mountainous, snow-covered land. Ross was actually disappointed to find land between him and his search for the south magnetic pole but, nevertheless, quickly determined the sighting to be a "way of restoring to England the honor of the discovery of the southernmost land, which had been nobly won by the intrepid Bellingshausen, and for more than twenty years retained by Russia". They next saw a range of mountains, rising to 8000 feet, which he named the Admiralty Range. He named as many of the peaks as he could see. His compass needle was behaving oddly; Ross determined he was within 500 miles of the magnetic pole. Taking a westerly course, they sailed through the Ross Sea and on January 12 Ross and Crozier planted a flag on newly discovered Possession Island, one of two islands located just off the mainland. A toast was offered to "Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Albert" with the region claimed as Victoria Land. For more reading go to www.south-pole.com.

If we assume that Fedor will be forced East or ESE as the wind increases from the SW and WSW, the exposure to 35+ knot wind should be from 17^th Feb /0600 UTC to 19^th Feb /1200 UTC. Within that time block, the worst should be from 17^th Feb /1200 UTC through about 18^th Feb /1800 UTC. Based on a point at 51S, 172W, (about 18^th Feb 0600 UTC), the maximum wave model forecast is 11.5m (38 feet),
occasionally 15m (50 feet). But that is based on a wind forecast of 35 knots gusting 45knots, and I think that is too light for this system. So, 12m (39 feet) occasional 15m (50 feet) should be the minimum, with a risk of higher waves for the 36-hr period of 17^th Feb /1200 UTC -19^th Feb /1200 UTC. We can adjust this as subsequent forecasts come in, but it seems that Fedor is in for some rough weather no matter what.
16^th Feb /0000 -0600 UTC -SE/ESE 13-18 knots, becoming variable <10 knots
16^th Feb /0600-1200 UTC: Becoming SW 10-15 knots
16^th Feb /1200 -1800 UTC: Becoming SW to WSW 25-30 knots
16^th Feb/1800-17^th Feb /0600 UTC: WSW 25-30 knots, becoming WSW 25-40 knots gusting 50 knots
17^th Feb /0600-18^th.Feb /1800 UTC: Becoming WSW 40-45 knots gusting 55-60 knots
18^th Feb/0600 UTC-18^th.Feb/1800 UTC: 45-50 knots gusting 65 knots
Gradually decreasing after 19^th Feb /0000 UTC.

Fedor is 1,100 nautical miles below the city of Auckland as he heads towards Gate 4 ROSS GATE at 180E on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. All attention at this time is on the impending foul weather and big seas that Fedor is expected to encounter over the next 48 hours. Fedor is not the only racing yacht affected by this zone of extremely volatile weather and waves. The French giant multihull Groupama 3 (103 feet long, 75 feet beam) which happens to be on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack but competing in a different event (Jules Verne Trophy) is around 96 hours behind Fedor’s position traveling at speeds up to 30 knots – over 3 times the speed Fedor is sailing at. The giant multihull with its 10 man crew has the luxury of speeding north to skirt the worst of the storm to come. Not luxuries open to Fedor. He must prepare for what is to come getting as much rest and nourishment in his body as he can as he faces prolonged periods at the helm, through daylight and the dark of night, steering ‘Alye Parusa’ through the dangerous seas to come. This is a huge test of the solo sailor’s ability to encounter such weather and emerge unscathed in body and mind and with the yacht free of structural damage.

From Lee Bruce at Tactical Weather:
Although Fedor has done well over the past 24 hours, it looks as though he will lose the fight to stay ahead of the front.  That front is forecast to move eastward at 8 knots, and will cause Fedor to lose wind speed as it approaches, resulting in lower boat speed. To make matters worse, the front will accelerate after 14 Feb 08 /1200UTC
The big wind on the 17^th/18^th Feb is forecast to extend more than 400 nautical miles north and south of Fedor, so there is no escaping it.
Assuming a mostly East course, then ENE/NE as the S/SSE wind builds:
To Fedor:
14 Feb 08/0000-0600UTC: Becoming NNW-NNE <10 knotst
14 Feb 08 /0600-1200UTC: Light/variable
14 Feb 08/1800-15 Feb 08 /0000UTC: Gradually becoming S 20 knots.
15 Feb 08 /0000-1200UTC: Becoming SSE 13-18 knots.
16 Feb 08/0000-0600UTC: ESE <10, becoming light/variable
After 17 Feb 08 /1200UTC: Becoming SW 40-50 knots. Waves 12metres (40 feet), occasional 15 metres (50 feet).
Lee

Campbell Island is a remote, sub-Antarctic island of New Zealand and the main island of the Campbell Island group. Campbell Island is located at 52.32S, 169 8.7E. Campbell Island covers 115 km² and is surrounded by numerous stacks, rocks and islets like Dent Island, Folly Island (or Folly Islands) and Jacquemart Island, the latter being the southernmost extremity of New Zealand. Campbell Island is mountainous, rising to over 500 metres in the south. A long fiord, Perseverance Harbour, nearly bisects the island, exiting to the sea on the east coast.
Campbell Island was discovered in 1810 by Captain Frederick Hasselburgh and his sealing brig Perseverance, which was owned by the Sydney-based company Campbell & Co. (thence the island's name). It became a seal hunting base, and the island's seal population was almost totally eradicated.
During World War II a coast guard station was operative at Tucker Cove at the north shore of Perseverance Harbour. After the end of the war, the facilities were used as a meteorological station until 1958, when a new station was established at Beeman Cove, just a few hundred metres further east of the old station. This station was manned permanently until 1995 when a fully automatic station was established. Today, human presence is limited to periodical visits of research and conservation expeditions.
In 2001 brown rats (Norway rats) were eradicated from the island 200 years after they were introduced. This was the world's largest rat eradication. The island's rat-free status was confirmed in 2003. Since the eradication, vegetation and invertebrates have been recovering, seabirds have been returning and the Campbell Island Teal, the world's rarest duck, has been reintroduced. [Other native landbirds include the New Zealand Pipit and the Campbell Snipe, a race or species of New Zealand snipe only discovered in 1997 and as yet undescribed. The snipe had survived on Jacquemart Island and began recolonising the islands after the rats had been removed.

Fedor has wished for more wind.  As the saying goes: ‘Be careful what you wish for....’  Over the coming five days, Fedor will trade frustrating light and variable wind for 40-50 knot wind and huge waves.
The forecast trend for 14th Feb 08 /0000UTC show north wind to the east of 170E, and south wind to the west of 170E. Wind shifts from South 20 knots to North 20 knots over about 50 nm across the front.  The front is expected to be aligned almost North-South, so it is possible that Fedor will eventually get a South wind, and end up sailing into the front, where the wind is light and variable. The wind is forecast to become SSE once the front is finally out of the way.
If Fedor is forced to the NE, it’s OK because there is a band of 40-50 knot SW wind indicated for the 17^th/18^th Feb (with waves of 10-12m) and being farther north will help reduce the impact of that wind field (although that wind will reach north of 50S).
For now, we will have to see how this variable wind plays out.  An overall North East heading is good, and East is next best.

Groupama 3 is a giant French multihull yacht currently attempting to better the current 50 Days, 16 Hours, 20 Minutes record to sail around the world in a crewed multihull.
French sailor Frank Cammas and his predominantly French 10 man crew aboard Groupama 3 is expected to sail past Cape Leeuwin today and past Fedor in six or seven day’s time. From the Groupama 3 web site:
“All routes lead to the Horn, but some are easier than others! And no matter what the trajectory, the essential ingredient on the menu is speed! Indeed, Groupama 3 is wondering just what this Deep South is all about as conditions have not been very favourable and after three days of swell on the beam, a day of transition and a good 24 hours of slipping along nicely, here the giant trimaran has found itself under a front, which it is unable to overtake. As they pass the longitude of Cape Leeuwin tomorrow, Wednesday, they can but hope that the situation improves.
We're not managing to catch up with the front, which is just 160 miles ahead of us and, between it and the breezes behind, there is a zone of relatively light winds. We'll have to get ahead of it to get going but, unfortunately, we can't get past it straightaway... As a result we're being forced to zigzag."
Antarctica Cup Management team wish Frank Cammas and crew onboard Groupama 3 good luck in their ‘Jules Verne’ record breaking attempt and invite them consider adding in 2008/2009 the record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack in Division C - Crewed Mutihull Division.