Positive thoughts

This Thursday, as he continues to make headway within a narrow ten-mile radius of Damien Seguin and Benjamin Dutreux, Giancarlo is feeling rather positive about the past 24 hours, whose ambiance has indisputably been punctuated by very light airs in the South Atlantic, skirting the edge of the Saint Helena High. “There hasn’t been a lot of wind, but things have gone pretty well. Even though I don’t manage to sleep well when the boat is at a standstill, strangely, I do manage to get a good sleep in lively conditions. Not making progress makes my brain overheat. You really have to be on top of the trimming and also adjust your course as best you can to circumnavigate the zone of high pressure. It’s not so easy to strike the right balance, because to avoid a light patch you mustn’t get too close to the centre, but equally you mustn’t get too far away or you risk having to sail a longer course”, commented the skipper of the 60-foot IMOCA in the colours of Prysmian Group and Electriciens sans Frontières, this morning, during a chat with his team. “I’m getting into my rhythm, I’m eating well… I’m not having so many philosophical thoughts as I’m very busy reflecting on my trajectory and how I’m going to make my entrance into the Deep South, though I am still managing to  savour the experience. I’m making headway amidst the magnificent elements; the colours are fantastic and the temperatures are beginning to drop a little. It’s pleasant. Right now, the temperature in the boat is around 20°. The chocolate is hardening up again and the ham and cheese have stopped sweating… It’s good news for the conservation of the provisions in my larder”, notes Giancarlo, admitting that he’s thinking a great deal about his wife and children. “I look at their photos and I love to hear their voices in the voice messages they send me. That gets me going and gives me a boost to complete this round the world as quickly as possible”, concludes the sailor.