At 3 degrees North latitude, Miranda Merron and Campagne de France are beginning to see light at the end of the doldrums. The wind is slowly moving to the South South East, in the axis of the boat’s progression, and the heavy black clouds laden with thunderstorms are becoming ever rarer and recede to the stern of the boat.
Miranda can breathe and focus now on the South Atlantic. The Equator is still 170 miles away this morning, and Campagne de France could cross it within the next 24 hours. This will be the 8th time in her long career that Miranda has crossed this mythical line. The South Atlantic is first of all a long phase of trade winds, these winds from the South East will push the Campagne de France towards the coasts of Brazil. Following this Miranda will have to navigate the enormous Saint Helena high.
The small group of competitors that accompany Miranda to the Southern Hemisphere has, like her, suffered greatly from the abuse of the doldrums. Miranda is sailing this morning in the immediate vicinity and bringing another woman in the race closer, Alexia Barrier with whom she happily trades the places of 26 and 27. The Finn Ari Huusela, traveling companion last week, is 50 miles behind Campagne de France.
A word from Miranda:
