Jeanne Socrates Oldest Person solo RTW attempt

[DeepFrz]

I do believe the last position report has her in the wrong location. She is farther north and west of the position marked for her. Either that or previous positions were wrong.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by buzzstar

Her recent reports suggest (to me) that an opportunity for improvement may exist for the JSD. If if recall correctly it is open to development (essentially a benefit bestowed on sailors by the "inventor").

I wonder who made hers - several different places make them, or you can buy a kit

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Here are the conditions Jeanne is in the middle of today:


She is being forced back north at 3 kts, and is towing a Jordan Series Drogue and reporting 50 kt winds, very heavy seas.

Pretty picture but nothing pretty about where she is in that... and doing it solo... I really wish her the best... tough time of year to start that leg...
Her latest blog entry is encouraging though...

[DeepFrz]

I see Paul beat me to my last post on his Facebook page.

[DeepFrz]

Don, she is in another one, not quite as severe as yesterday, but a big one heading her way with developing hurricane force winds.

Waiting south of her is a cat. 4 hurricane, Seymour. I would think with all that storm activity the seas will be horrendous.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I see Paul beat me to my last post on his Facebook page.

God bless her if that isn't politically incorrect. She has a bigger set than me.

[Paul Elliott]

Jeanne has spoken this afternoon via satphone with the drogue vendor, and she told him she was returning to Victoria for repair and restart. I think that's a good idea.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Jeanne has spoken this afternoon via satphone with the drogue vendor, and she told him she was returning to Victoria for repair and restart. I think that's a good idea.

That's a relief, but she still has a ways to go to get back, with another one bearing down on her possibly?

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by Don C L

That's a relief, but she still has a ways to go to get back, with another one bearing down on her possibly?

Yes, and the winds and seas will be fairly big. Fortunately, she's probably has less than 150 NM to go before reaching Cape Flattery, and they will be at her back as she heads home. Still, 30-40 kts winds and 15-ft seas aren't fun, whichever way you're going.

[Littlechay]

Interesting to hear about the tattered cones on the JSD. I have heard of a few other cases with commercial JSD that have suffered this failure.

In the others the cause was that the mouth of the drogues were not hemmed allowing the cloth to fray.

It seems that hemming the mouth of the drogues is worth the extra effort to ensure that they stay intact for long periods.

I'm less worried about the shackle issue but would be interested to know how it was wired.

Looking forward to seeing some pics.

Wishing her a safe return to port.

[Jim Cate]

Part of sea going wisdom is knowing when to quit, and with all her experience, I reckon she is pretty wise. I'm sure there is disappointment, but she will live to try again (I hope).

Safe return, my distant friend

Jim

[barnakiel]

Yep. I think a good call. Fix up, regroup, find another wx window, go again. It is so much easier to sort things out at the dock. She is actually saving time this way.

I am not sure this is an option but maybe hitting it further offshore (further W) could be the better way to get out of the latitudes. This time she got simply sandwiched between the low pressure and the continent.

Maybe there is a better place to take off from? California?

She has done it so many times she knows what she is doing for sure.

b.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Yep. I think a good call. Fix up, regroup, find another wx window, go again. It is so much easier to sort things out at the dock. She is actually saving time this way.

I am not sure this is an option but maybe hitting it further offshore (further W) could be the better way to get out of the latitudes. This time she got simply sandwiched between the low pressure and the continent.

Maybe there is a better place to take off from? California?

She has done it so many times she knows what she is doing for sure.

b.

I am starting to wonder.....

I don't know the PNW but I wouldn't be heading out into the SE Pacific with a 50*S start point in late April/early May... which is the equivalent.

[Foolish]

CBC Radio (Canada's national radio network) has a nice photo of Jeanne's boat on her departure on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CBCVancouverisland/

I don't know the PNW but I wouldn't be heading out into the SE Pacific with a 50*S start point in late April/early May... which is the equivalent.

The purpose of the late autumn start from Canada is to hit the southern ocean at exactly the right time. Believe me, being the at Cape Horn at the wrong time is 100 times worse than leaving Canada at the wrong time. We had timed it so that she hit Cape Horn on New Year's Day.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Foolish

CBC Radio (Canada's national radio network) has a nice photo of Jeanne's boat on her departure on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CBCVancouverisland/


The purpose of the late autumn start from Canada is to hit the southern ocean at exactly the right time. Believe me, being the at Cape Horn at the wrong time is 100 times worse than leaving Canada at the wrong time. We had timed it so that she hit Cape Horn on New Year's Day.

I only wx route boats in the Atlantic and none of my clients are now that far up (in the 'equivalent' of the Atlantic).

I am not 100% with their record rules but I would imagine it is enough to take off from a point above the equator, sail in excess of 21600 miles and cut all the meridians (while closing the loop). Why Canada then?

Right or wrong?

If I understand the above right, one can take off from California or Mexico and make the same claim. Canada seems just a choice.

I am sure Jeanne has a reason why she is where she is at this time of the year.

She will probably make a fresh start in a week or so.

Standby here reading her updates on her website.

b.