Weather Watch: “Sarah’s journey at sea will only go in the direction of the breeze on the day. If she gets lots of easterly type weather, she will progress towards Africa and if she gets lots of westerly stuff, she will head to Australia. Her direction made good is very much in the hands of the weather systems.”
Geoff: “It (weather/currents along the Rhumb line) goes some way to explaining whey no-one has rowed Mauritius to Australia.”
Remora: Bearing in mind that her little boat will only be going where the winds allow, I reckon it would be far easier to hit the big Australian coastline coming from Mauritius, than it will be for Sarah to target and hit tiny little Mauritius from Australia.
To Sarah’s management team – how is it possible for Sarah to home in on Mauritus Island, bearing in mind the above?
Hi Sarah, Hope you had a good Easter, and got into those mini eggs. Caught up with Andy and Guy over the week end. They told me you rang and that you are in very good spirit, that is so great to hear! Back to my computer to watch your tracker a little squiggly, but hey! you are still going towards Mauritius!!!! Row Row Sarah, we are all there with you in spirit. I don’t deny that sometimes we get a little concern about the weather and how you will cope, but with all your training we believe that you will do well. Go Sarah Go!!!!
really its for Sarah to answer the doubters but hey, I’ve got more free time as I’m not rowing across an ocean. Put simply, the chances of anyone rowing all the way across an ocean are very low, but that’s the whole point. By careful planning (equipment and physical conditioning), the ‘impossible’ can become the ‘possible’. That is what inspiration is. Dreams, wishes, magic, whatever your faith (or lack of it) allows for us. And yes, the strategy has to be to position the boat to benefit from wind and current as much as possible, just as sailors seek the benefit of changes in wind direction, climbers choose the best weather etc etc. yes it could be that with all the best planning and execution the effort is overwhelmed by ‘uncontrollables’, and to that extent, a success, will always involve a sizeable chunk of good luck (if just the absence of bad luck). And on that basis many of us wouldn’t entertain such an ‘impossibility’. Therein lies the measure of Sarah’s tenacity and optimism in the attempt, and the enormity of her success.
Having just writ that, I’m ashamed to say I’m now returning to the TV with a rather large bowl of icecream. I know full well in a years time who will be most proud of what they were doing tonight.
Thanks very much, Geoff. It is very refreshing to read all the above.
To hear organisers confirm “Put simply, the chances of anyone rowing all the way across an ocean are very low…..” makes the whole thing much more real for many of us I am sure.
Your words, along with the above links to the weather in the Indian Ocean (the wind direction is the major determiner of what direction “Dippers” will travel) will give all readers a true picture of what Sarah is doing and what she is up against – thanks.
Sarah, Jamie is approx 30 miles from Albany where he is virtually becalmed after two nights of near gales.
He said the night before last was the most terrifying of his life with 30knt winds and 6m waves crashing over the boat when he had to remain on deck to hand steer for two hours when his electric steering failed.
He has set a new world record for the longest distance sailed solo (400 miles), and longest time at sea (4 days) by a quadriplegic sailor.
He is totally exhausted but he asked me by satphone to send you a big “hello”.
(It was Jamie who sailed out alone to Rendezvous with Sarah on her ‘warm up lap’.)
Look at you! Nearly a fortnight at sea solo – what a landmark (well, watermark!) It’s pretty impressive watching your exuberant squiggle inching over the face of the ocean. Wonder what stars and seabirds you are seeing now…..
Hope you’re enjoying the positive ions and not snacking on krill! best jane
A fortnight at sea – well done, Sarah! and still looks like your making excellent progress. i have been at the gym this week (practically for the first time since the glory blade winning days!) and definitely been thinking of you when i’ve been on the erg 🙂
hope you enjoyed sense and sensibility, lots of love, xxx
Here is the link for the daily Australian synoptic chart: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/nmoc/latest_MSLP.pl?IDCODE=IDY00050
and here is one for the updated 4 day outlook: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDG00074.shtml
This link: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/nmoc/latest_D.pl?IDCODE=IDX0033 is for the Indian Ocean.
Weather Watch: “Sarah’s journey at sea will only go in the direction of the breeze on the day. If she gets lots of easterly type weather, she will progress towards Africa and if she gets lots of westerly stuff, she will head to Australia. Her direction made good is very much in the hands of the weather systems.”
Geoff: “It (weather/currents along the Rhumb line) goes some way to explaining whey no-one has rowed Mauritius to Australia.”
Remora: Bearing in mind that her little boat will only be going where the winds allow, I reckon it would be far easier to hit the big Australian coastline coming from Mauritius, than it will be for Sarah to target and hit tiny little Mauritius from Australia.
To Sarah’s management team – how is it possible for Sarah to home in on Mauritus Island, bearing in mind the above?
Hi Sarah,
Row, Row, Row, Your Boat keep up the good work. Weather in Mauritius today was sunny with temp around 30C.
Take care.
Mike.
Hi Sarah, Hope you had a good Easter, and got into those mini eggs. Caught up with Andy and Guy over the week end. They told me you rang and that you are in very good spirit, that is so great to hear! Back to my computer to watch your tracker a little squiggly, but hey! you are still going towards Mauritius!!!! Row Row Sarah, we are all there with you in spirit. I don’t deny that sometimes we get a little concern about the weather and how you will cope, but with all your training we believe that you will do well. Go Sarah Go!!!!
really its for Sarah to answer the doubters but hey, I’ve got more free time as I’m not rowing across an ocean. Put simply, the chances of anyone rowing all the way across an ocean are very low, but that’s the whole point. By careful planning (equipment and physical conditioning), the ‘impossible’ can become the ‘possible’. That is what inspiration is. Dreams, wishes, magic, whatever your faith (or lack of it) allows for us. And yes, the strategy has to be to position the boat to benefit from wind and current as much as possible, just as sailors seek the benefit of changes in wind direction, climbers choose the best weather etc etc. yes it could be that with all the best planning and execution the effort is overwhelmed by ‘uncontrollables’, and to that extent, a success, will always involve a sizeable chunk of good luck (if just the absence of bad luck). And on that basis many of us wouldn’t entertain such an ‘impossibility’. Therein lies the measure of Sarah’s tenacity and optimism in the attempt, and the enormity of her success.
Having just writ that, I’m ashamed to say I’m now returning to the TV with a rather large bowl of icecream. I know full well in a years time who will be most proud of what they were doing tonight.
Thanks very much, Geoff. It is very refreshing to read all the above.
To hear organisers confirm “Put simply, the chances of anyone rowing all the way across an ocean are very low…..” makes the whole thing much more real for many of us I am sure.
Your words, along with the above links to the weather in the Indian Ocean (the wind direction is the major determiner of what direction “Dippers” will travel) will give all readers a true picture of what Sarah is doing and what she is up against – thanks.
Sarah, Jamie is approx 30 miles from Albany where he is virtually becalmed after two nights of near gales.
He said the night before last was the most terrifying of his life with 30knt winds and 6m waves crashing over the boat when he had to remain on deck to hand steer for two hours when his electric steering failed.
He has set a new world record for the longest distance sailed solo (400 miles), and longest time at sea (4 days) by a quadriplegic sailor.
He is totally exhausted but he asked me by satphone to send you a big “hello”.
(It was Jamie who sailed out alone to Rendezvous with Sarah on her ‘warm up lap’.)
Hi Sarah,
Look at you! Nearly a fortnight at sea solo – what a landmark (well, watermark!) It’s pretty impressive watching your exuberant squiggle inching over the face of the ocean. Wonder what stars and seabirds you are seeing now…..
Hope you’re enjoying the positive ions and not snacking on krill! best jane
A fortnight at sea – well done, Sarah! and still looks like your making excellent progress. i have been at the gym this week (practically for the first time since the glory blade winning days!) and definitely been thinking of you when i’ve been on the erg 🙂
hope you enjoyed sense and sensibility, lots of love, xxx