Seeking Steady Wind A Tricky Situation

It hasn't been a straightforward start to leg 4 of The Ocean Race as the IMOCA teams zig-zag away from the coast of Brazil, seeking favourable conditions to the east, whilst keeping an eye on the overall goal of making miles north.

There's also big picture weather that dictates overall strategy to consider versus the very localised impact of clouds and squalls that must be deal with.

"There's just a lot of random 'cloudage' going on here,"...

Cape Horn In Rear View, Challenges Ahead



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After passing Cape Horn and escaping the south, the big weather challenges haven't quite ended for The Ocean Race sailors yet.

The leading pair - Team Malizia and Team Holcim-PRB - found themselves in what Malizia's Will Harris called some of the most challenging weather of the leg when they turned north. Gale force winds and sharp, confused seas....

Breeze on as fleet encounters first southern weather system



The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 28 February 2023, Leg 2 Strong winds on Day 2 onboard GUYOT environnement - Team Europe.? Charles Drapeau / GUYOT environnement - Team Europe
As The Ocean Race fleet heads further south, conditions change dramatically



[VIDEO]https://youtu.be/OZNoph75HeQ[/IMG]

The wind has arrived for leg 3 of The Ocean Race as the five IMOCA teams settle into...

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Breeze on as fleet encounters first southern weather system



The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 28 February 2023, Leg 2 Strong winds on...

Cat and mouse towards the doldrums
It's a game of inches as the fleet works southwest towards the equator




Lighter conditions don't mean easier conditions as the IMOCA fleet finds itself constantly shifting gears, making sail changes and gybing as the teams zig-zag southwest towards the equator and the doldrums.

Every change in the breeze brings the potential for a sail change. Each move by the opposition brings a decision on whether to match or...