The wind has swung right round to the West and is not providing the giant multihull with the best angle of attack given that the boat performs less well in downwind conditions: “We can’t complain” smiles Bruno Peyron as he watches the speedometer hover between 23 and …33 knots! “We’re extending the course just a little by making some big tack changes with the wind on the aft quarter.”

Satisfaction has a place now aboard Orange II, on the point of adding a few extras to its “record” collection. Steeped in history the famous Horn will be rounded as tightly as possible: “It’s a legendary place and everyone aboard hopes to benefit from the fabulous sight of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range…”.

After 32 days at sea, the boat is lighter and currently reaching its full potential. Orange II will soon hang a left to begin its climb back up the Atlantic; the Horn is not a success in itself and the coming days doubtless have their share of surprises and difficulties for a boat and its crew who have sacrificed a great deal to performance. “In the Southern Ocean, you don’t get miles for nothing. They are paid for by pain and fatigue.”

Peyron and his 13 warriors will have earned the mercies of the Horn this evening. Bruno Peyron: “We’re going to leave the Pacific with a good ‘score’ being the essence of our exploits. Our downwind tack has slowed us down a little but I’m not at odds about sparing the boat a little in this way. The passage of the Horn is always a high point. Everyone aboard wants to make the most of it. A bit of light would be welcome as we haven’t seen the sun throughout the whole of our Pacific crossing. The Horn evokes a lot of memories. In 1993, we experienced it at its worst, 80 to 85 knots of wind and 17 metre waves. It can be a very nasty place. We all know that there is still everything to play for after the Horn. 4 to 5 difficult days lay in store for us before we rediscover the more ‘civilised’ lands. We will be slowed on the approach to Brazil and we’ll make the most of that time to give the boat a good going over.”

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