Monday, January 12, 2026 – Heading for the North Atlantic
After two days of sailing close to the north/northeast wind generated by the western edge of the Saint Helena High, the sailors of The Famous Project CIC are preparing to attempt what could be their final tack in the next few hours. northeast winds generated by the western edge of the Saint Helena High, the sailors of The Famous Project CIC are preparing to make what could be their last tack before the equator, the Doldrums, and the turbulent North Atlantic weather systems that will bring them back to Ushant and Brest in about a dozen days.
Once they have rounded the center of the high pressure system, Alexia Barrier, Dee Caffari, Annemieke Bes, Rebecca Gmür Hornell, Deborah Blair, Molly LaPointe, Támara Echegoyen, and Stacey Jackson will be able to change tack in the leeway and point their bows squarely north, crossing into a wind that is expected to gradually shift to the rear of the boat.
This will significantly increase their effective speed on the route, and the women of The Famous Project CIC will be able to refine their crossing point back through the Doldrums. Beautiful, fast days are ahead, in the equatorial heat typical of Brazilian waters, on a very manageable sea.
In the words of Alexia Barrier
“We are finishing a short period of close-hauled sailing. It’s not the fastest configuration for a giant trimaran. The boat is responding very well. It is solid and stable. We are adjusting to the different variations in wind strength and direction. We have one more tack to make. I think it will be our last before we arrive in Brest.
The wind is currently fairly moderate. We have between 12 and 18 knots, sometimes 20 knots of wind. Yesterday, we were on the verge of taking in a reef, but as it’s always complicated for us to do so, we held out for three hours when the wind picked up a little to over 24 knots. We played with the headsails, the J2 and the J3.
The temperatures have risen, which makes a big difference on board. It allows us to dry out the inside of the boat and our belongings.
For now, we are alone in the world. That will soon change, because we will be approaching the Brazilian coast and then the equator. We will surely see a lot of traffic again soon, and a lot of fishermen too. For now, we are still enjoying the solitude.As for crossing the equator, we’ll be there on the 15th. Normally, everything is going according to plan. The models have been fairly accurate for the last 2-3 days.“
See you in 3 days at the equator.
Excerpt from an article by The Famous Project CIC
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