Across the Prime Meridian

This afternoon while some of the crew was enjoying a siesta, Mhadei quietly sailed across the Prime Meridian and entered the Western Hemisphere. The second time in less than a year for her. Last year this day she was at Falkland Islands, licking her bruises after rounding the Horn and getting ready for her first Atlantic crossing.

Compared to the last crossing when she and her skipper got thumped nicely in the Southern Ocean, the present crossing has been a pleasure cruise so far. Moderate winds & seas, temperature in the 20s, pleasant company, clear moonlit nights, the conditions can almost be described as idyllic! Except that we are racing and need stronger breezes to compete against the lighter boats in the fleet. The weather forecast doesn't seem too optimistic on that count so far! For now the crew has settled down nicely in the peaceful rhythm that only a long sea sortie can bring!  

Off to Rio

All good things have to come to an end and so did our stay at Cape Town as we crossed the start line along with 16 other boats for the Heineken Cape to Rio race at noon on 15 Jan. The stay at Cape Town, the second in a year, was memorable both for the boat and the crew. While the crew could re-charge their batteries at the "Tavern of the Seas", meeting up old friends & making new ones, the boat was treated to some TLC in terms of minor repairs and maintenance.

     It was great to be hosted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club who are also organizing the race. Info about the race and the club including photos & a tracker to see the positions of all the boats is available at www.rcyc.co.za & www.capetorio.heineken.com

        Looking forward to a good race and a fast passage to the much talked about city of Rio de Janeiro across the Atlantic.