Two more obstacles to jump on our route to our home port of Sanya.
The wind shadows of India and Sri Lanka are behind us. The wind, like a river, doesn't like obstacles, and tries to go around them - leaving a wind hole behind the mountain ranges and some big accelerations on the sides.
We passed the 3000m peaks of Sri Lanka 300km off to avoid this trap and despite that we still went through a 100km long windless area.
Even though we were very afraid in the night when we saw the lights of Brunel and Azzam just a few km from us, we managed to get through first and rebuild our lead.
Now we're aiming for the entrance to the Malacca Strait, about 5 days away, and there again there will be very light winds and a complex piece of navigation to manage. A difficult transition between northerly and easterly winds too.
Dongfeng means the east wind, so we are hoping to be well looked after.
Onboard, we are focused but tired from the constant battle of nerves. Nothing is ever for keeps on this leg, we need to fight for another 15 days to get our boat home.
by Charles Caudrelier ( Skipper Dongfeng)
