The Carousel of Depressions in the Roaring Forties, Where the Extreme Becomes Ordinary
With Andrea Mura on Vento di Sardegna passing the Cape of Good Hope Wednesday afternoon, only two competitors are still in the Atlantic Ocean. Alessandro Tosetti on Aspra, who is just a few days away from this significant milestone, and Kevin Le Poidevin on Roaring Forty, who has passed the latitude of Recife and is managing his descent into the South Atlantic well with the help of the southeast trade winds. Among the other twelve skippers in the race, only Philippe Delamare, firmly in the lead on Mowgli, has reached the Pacific, while the others are engaged in the difficult crossing of the Indian Ocean.
Ari Kansakoski on ZEROchallenge finally, after a slow start from Cape Town, pushed south to 41° S and regained good speed. Édouard De Keyser on Solarwind chose to cut through the Ice Limit Buffer Zone (allowed by the rules for a maximum of 72 hours) and stay further south at 43° to maintain winds around 15-20 knots and avoid the calm of the anticyclone that will settle in the area after the low pressure system passes. David Linger on Koloa Maoli and William MacBrien on Phoenix stayed further north, at 42°, to get through the strong depression that passed over the Kerguelen Islands. Yesterday morning, the American skipper saw William’s Class40 just 20 miles away on his radar. François Gouin on Kawan 3 pushed further south to 46° and gybed on Tuesday night to then sail fast eastward. Louis Robein’s Le souffle de la mer III, in the southern seas, has regained good speed and has re-entered the competition with the fleet. The competitors are seeking a balance, adjusting their course by a few degrees north or south to maintain sailing in winds that are not excessively strong, thus avoiding rough and crossed sea conditions. Like Pavlin Nadvorni on Espresso Martini, who stays north of the low pressure systems, now at 44° S, with the clear goal of preserving his boat and avoiding unnecessary damage.
Riccardo Tosetto on Obportus 3, currently in fourth place in the provisional rankings based on the estimated arrival date, is recording good speeds and is chasing third-place Ronnie Simpson aboard Shipyard Brewing, more than 800 miles ahead of him. Cole Brauer, second in the entire fleet on First Light with a superb performance, is now heading towards the second of the great capes, Cape Leeuwin. Philippe Delamare on Mowgli, who became the fleet’s leader after the retirement of Dafydd Hughes’s Bendigedig in Hobart, is retracing his favorite ocean, the Pacific, which he had previously crossed on a catamaran. The French skipper uses the Buffer Zone to avoid calm areas and ride the depressions in an attempt to maintain a high average speed and not lose his lead.
The demanding route of the GSC challenges skippers to round the three great Capes – Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn. The 10,000 miles needed to cross the Indian Ocean, after passing the Cape of Good Hope, and the Pacific, at low latitudes, represent more than a third of the total route. Undoubtedly, they are the worst part in terms of wind and sea conditions of the 25,000 total miles of the journey needed to circumnavigate the globe.
A predominant feature of this area is the constant presence of low pressures coming from the west, forming a sort of carousel that follows in close frequency, even though we are on the doorstep of the austral summer. The strong winds associated with these depressions, not encountering land masses that can attenuate them, gain strength and speed as they advance. They consequently influence the state of the sea, which breaks into large cross waves and breakers. Already in the 19th century, sailors who had navigated the cold and dangerous waters at these latitudes had coined the terms ‘Roaring Forties’ and ‘Furious Fifties’, referring to the noise of the wind in the rigging of the boats that became sharper and unbearable, the further south they went.
But how do those large red masses we see on the tracker proceed, dragging with them 40-knot winds and waves of more than 5 meters, which the Italian skipper Andrea Mura jokingly called “that red filth”? Each depression in the southern hemisphere is preceded by northerly winds, rotating counterclockwise towards the northwest. Then comes the passage of the warm front, which is not particularly violent or stormy. The subsequent cold front, however, causes a sudden 90-degree change in wind, bringing with it an unstable mass of cold air from Antarctica. In these conditions, the sea becomes extremely rough, with cross waves, wind gusts, and the possibility of forming breaking waves that have led some competitors to experience knockdowns. To describe the sea state, even the most experienced skippers often use adjectives like ‘dantesque’ or ‘infernal’ conditions in their blogs.
After the passage of the cold front, a temporary calm sets in, and the sun and blue sky reappear intermittently, tearing through the gray blanket of clouds that predominates most of the time and which Philippe Delamare had ironically compared to an unwelcome relative who arrives and does not want to leave. During the brief improvement in conditions, with the sun managing to peek through, bringing with it a rapid increase in temperature, the winds turn northerly again. Unfortunately, this respite is only temporary, and another depression is already on the way.
Some skippers have shared their experiences of sailing in the Southern Oceans, significantly different from those in which they had previously navigated. Cole Brauer, the brave American skipper, told us how sometimes it is necessary to deviate a few degrees north, abandoning the ideal and faster route, to find more moderate and manageable sailing conditions. All skippers must, therefore, balance performance with the need to live serenely this long marathon, without neglecting proper nutrition and rest.
Andrea Mura, aboard “Vento di Sardegna,” recently faced a significant depression and did not hesitate to head northeast, towards Cape Town, to escape what he described as a “freezing hell” he had been in for days. Andrea says that, when in action, he lives moment by moment, waiting for the worst to pass. His general strategy is based on understanding how to tackle successive depressions and optimal positioning to preserve both the boat and the skipper. With the fleet’s fastest boat, this goal is simpler for the Italian skipper. Regarding sails, “Vento di Sardegna” faces depressions with the mainsail reduced with four reefs and the staysail. Andrea has installed a transparent roof covering the entire cockpit, allowing him to maneuver and control the boat safely, without being too exposed to the elements. This solution, which he considers ingenious and fundamental, helps him better cope with the stressful routine of the southern seas. The support of his family, who back him from afar, remains another key element of his challenge.
For Francois Gouin aboard Kawan 3 – Unicancer, the best way to manage the stress of the depressions, part of the “scenario that the sailor facing the Great South must expect,” is to focus on technical preparation. François meticulously checks all equipment, ensuring lines are well organized and accessible, setting sails according to the expected wind, and even carefully planning his meals. Regarding sails, the French skipper on his Class40 prepares the J2 on the furler, so it can be easily rolled up even in strong wind. The J3 (storm jib) is also ready at the bow with the sheets already rigged. The reefs are preset and clear, and on some occasions, Francois has sailed with three reefs in the mainsail and the storm jib, finding this configuration effective for very strong winds. For energy needs, before the wind reaches its most intense peaks, he ensures the batteries are 100% charged. François commits to maintaining regular nutrition and, in case of extremely difficult conditions that make even boiling water problematic, has two meals ready that require no preparation. With the weather data available and the help of Dominique, his router, he tries to position himself well with respect to the passage of depressions to remain in areas where the wind and sea are less strong, even if this means lengthening the route. “Personally, I prioritize the preservation of equipment (and the skipper) even at the cost of lengthening the route. The passage of these low-pressure systems and their derivatives, the cold fronts and the rough sea, is the real clock of the Indian Ocean. I adapt life on board to these passages that impose their rhythm and require concentration and rigor to best anticipate.”
Pavlin Nadvorni is well-known among his friends as a sailor who prefers challenging weather conditions and storms. Now in the southern seas, he’s adopting a new strategy with his boat, Espresso Martini. Despite being 26 years old and having undergone multiple repairs, this boat has frequently tested his navigational skills, though it was meticulously prepared for the journey. “For me, the best way to deal with depressions is to completely avoid them.” From the analysis of his route, it’s evident that Pavlin is trying to stay north of the depressions, thus benefiting from north-westerly winds blowing at a speed of 15-20 knots, without facing excessively strong gusts or particularly rough sea conditions.”I am deliberately navigating in a very conservative and defensive manner, because my priority is to complete this extraordinary voyage without suffering significant damage to either the boat or the skipper. This is the primary goal.” Espresso Martini’s storm configuration, if bad weather can’t be avoided, includes the use of two storm jibs: one is fixed to the inner forestay, and the other is ready to be hoisted over the furled genoa. The mainsail remains closed to avoid managing the seven-meter-long carbon fiber boom, which swinging in 50 knots of wind and rough seas could cause damage. Pavlin pays close attention to studying and analyzing every weather system that predicts winds over 20 knots. He has personally experienced that both the gusts and sea conditions can be up to twice as severe as predicted. “My immediate strategy for managing the depressions involves meticulous planning, trying to avoid these situations when possible, and the patience to wait, even if it means having little wind for half a day after the depressions pass.”
Louis Robein, onboard Le souffle de la mer III, after a cautious descent into the South Atlantic, now seems to feel at ease to fully exploit faster sailing in the southern seas. The tactic of this French sailor, a former Figaro circuit veteran, is to stay on the edges of depressions to avoid overly violent storms, while not hesitating to head south. Robein regularly checks the weather forecasts with his instruments but doesn’t always find them reliable, so he relies on observing trends and adapts to the actual conditions. Regarding the configuration of his X-37 in these challenging seas, Robein frequently adjusts the sail area of the mainsail, reducing it with reefing or increasing it to make the boat faster and more powerful in facing the waves. He has fitted the staysail on the furler at the bow, and so far, has not needed to furl it. Even with gusts up to 38 knots, the maximum he has recorded so far, he is satisfied with his boat’s setup. He has suffered two knockdowns, but these were caused by sea conditions and breaking waves. “I try to anticipate maneuvers, and as soon as the wind exceeds 22 knots, I set the second reef. With experience, I have developed a certain automatic response in my actions, and this makes me much more calm and less anxious. When the wind reaches 25 knots, my boat, which is not made for surfing, is slowed down by the waves and does not gain more speed. For this reason, I do not need to chase depressions; rather, I prepare adequately when I can’t avoid them.” Louis says that maintaining balance onboard can be difficult, and it is necessary to cling to the boat for any movement, but in the end, he affirms that sailing in the Indian Ocean is a wonderful experience. If we were close to him, we might see a light shining in his eyes for the happiness of having reached these long-dreamed-of seas.
Ronnie Simpson, aboard Shipyard Brewing, managed to make solid, albeit temporary, repairs to the damage sustained by the mainsail, allowing him to resume excellent speed. In one of his videos, Ronnie evoked how important dawn is to him, the arrival of the light of a new day that really allows assessing the actual state of the sea. “As I sail east, the sun rises earlier each day, and one of the most awaited moments is seeing the waves and sea conditions for the first time after the darkness of the night.” The American skipper, despite frustration over not having prepared the boat as he wished and problems with the sails, bravely continues his adventure. He is considering a possible technical stop to resolve the issues before the big leap towards Cape Horn, to ensure that the sails are fully functional and have the necessary materials for any repairs. This led him to reconsider his strategy, demonstrating his determination and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
Philippe Delamare, on Mowgli, since the first major depression he faced in the Indian Ocean, had said that it’s necessary to try not to stress and make the carousel of depressions part of the routine of sailing in these seas. With this professional and serene approach, Philippe is achieving a splendid circumnavigation, although not always easy. Entering the Pacific proved particularly difficult for him, having had to face two powerful depressions, especially the second one, which he defined as Dante-esque. The strong depression coming from the north, with gusts reaching 50 knots, collided with the typical southwest Pacific waves. This created a cross sea with steep waves, making the navigation akin to a roller coaster ride. The challenges were not limited to sea conditions. His boat, Mowgli, suffered various damages, including the breaking of the lazy jacks, which required Philippe to climb the mast several times, a task far from easy. Despite these adversities, Philippe and Mowgli have faced and overcome obstacles and are now heading towards the third and most challenging goal of their route, Cape Horn.
In this scenario, where the carousel of depressions becomes an integral part of the navigation experience, skippers have learned to coexist with extreme conditions, which become ordinary. The ability to adapt quickly to changing weather, to make prudent decisions, and to maintain a balance between caution and courage has become the norm. Despite often extreme conditions, many of them have found a sustainable rhythm, managing to handle the challenges of the sea and preserve physical and mental well-being. Sailing in the southern seas, although demanding, thus transforms into a source of personal and professional growth. For these skippers, every day lived among gigantic waves and impetuous winds represents an opportunity to strengthen their experience and weave an even deeper bond with the immense ocean surrounding them. In this context, the uncontrollable nature of the sea is no longer an enemy to fear, but a respected travel companion, testing and at the same time exalting the resilience and skill of these navigators
