Trade Winds Are BACK! Fleet Update – Who’s Leading the Charge?
The Pacific parking lot is finally breaking up! After days of drifting, the trade winds have arrived, and the fleet is on the move again—some faster than others! Here’s the latest:
Front-Runners:
Renaud Stitelmann has officially turned the corner and is now leading the pack with 109-mile days—trade wind speed! and trying to make it look easy by cooking up a storm in his cake pot!
Pilar Pasanau is hot on his heels with a 101-mile day and only about 40 miles behind—can she catch him?
Gary Swindail – Mini Globe Race – is still holding north, but currents and wind shifts may soon force a big decision but it is NOT looking like a good deal at the moment???.
Mid-Fleet Surges:
Keri is flying at 4.8 knots, closing the gap on Dan “Eggplant” Turner (ask him about the story behind that nickname 
). and about 120 miles behind Renaud…after starting 12 hours late in Panama
Jakub Szymankiewicz is on a blinder—71-mile day after struggling early—welcome back, Jacob! who has caught up to Adam Waugh and just passed Jasmine Harrison who continues to smile and enjoy her ‘Sailor” status doing OK!!
Josh Kali is just finally getting steady breeze, but still lagging behind the leaders.
Bringing Up the Rear:
Christian Sauer is still stuck in the Galapagos with medical issues and flat batteries— after visiting the hospital and treatment finished , he was escorted back to the boat under military escort as he has not entered the country and the authorities suggested he leave by 7.30am Sunday morning, or have to officially enter on Monday… but no movement yet. Looks like some paperwork ahead??
Popeye & John (still in Panama) are set to depart Wednesday—two weeks behind, but ready to chase!
Big Picture: The fleet is now ~2900 miles from the Marquesas, and if winds hold, we could see arrivals in 3-4 weeks!
