We are now halfway across the Atlantic and our Code 2 spinnaker emblazoned with "JAMAICA" is flying proudly and driving onwards to Cape Town. This is the first time our spinnaker has been out for an airing since Leg 1, although this Leg is characterised by its fast downwind sailing. While some boats have followed the traditional route and headed south to the Roaring 40's others, like us, have stayed north, carefully trying to read the unusual weather patterns and plot a more direct route to Cape Town.
Today we passed within 7 miles of Tristan da Cunha, the largest of a small group of islands about halfway between the continents of S.America and Africa. The island rises to 2,000 metres above sea level and looks utterly inhospitable, with a snow flecked peak dropping dramatically down to the sea and the only settlement, Edinburgh; home from home! We spent the morning imagining life in such a remote spot and identifying business opportunities! At 1,500 miles east or west to Cape Town and Rio respectively it must be one of the most remote islands in the world.
ETA in Cape Town is Sunday 27th and this amazing adventure will be over for me, but there is a lot of water to flow under Jamaica's hull before then and what is increasingly looking like a close race finish as the boats currently spread across a 100 mile north/south band converge on the Cape; let's hope looking at Jamaica's stern again.
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