Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – An energetic start to the South Atlantic
After rounding Cape Horn yesterday in the early afternoon, The Famous Project CIC’s Maxi Trimaran IDEC SPORT continued its long starboard tack that began under the Andes Mountains.
Alexia Barrier, Dee Caffari, Annemieke Bes, Rebecca Gmür Hornell, Deborah Blair, Molly LaPointe, Támara Echegoyen, and Stacey Jackson sailed past the United States Islands at an average speed of over 25 knots and are preparing to do the same at the end of the 39th day of racing with the Falkland Islands, an archipelago at the end of the world where the Union Jack, dear to Dee and Deborah, flies.
The east coast of Argentina is currently being swept by powerful southerly winds, which are providing the sailors with ample opportunity to make good progress north-eastwards at speed despite the rough seas, towards the clear transition currently establishing itself off Mar del Plata, with north winds generated by an extension of the Saint Helena High.
This is an opportunity to make rapid progress northwards, on course and towards warmer conditions eagerly awaited by the sailors, who have been subjected to the cold and constant humidity of the far south for more than two weeks. Alexia and her crew will enjoy favorable winds for the rest of the week.
Did you Know?!
Four new Cape Horners with The Famous Project CIC in this unassisted, non-stop round-the-world race! Annemieke Bes, Molly LaPointe, Deborah Blair, and Rebecca Gmür Hornell rounded Cape Horn for the first time yesterday afternoon, while Dee Cafari rounded it for the seventh time.
In the words of Alexia Barrier
“Round Cape Horn is always a special moment. A moment like no other.
This is my second Horn… but the emotion is completely different. The first time, I was alone. Alone facing the myth. Alone facing the silence. This time, we are a crew. 6,500 nautical miles to the finish line. There is still some way to go. For now, a weather system is helping us to make good progress. It’s incredible how the sea and the sky can change in such a short time. Still cold, yes. But in less than 48 hours, the air will warm up. “
The time will come to perform strategic gybes in the shape of a seagull’s wing over the weekend, a prelude to a close-hauled episode off the Brazilian coast, in search of the southeast trade winds that they will negotiate on a reach to the equator.
Their time at the edge of the North Atlantic will depend on the efficiency and timing of these transitions.
Excerpt from an article by The Famous Project CIC
Follow the adventure on IDEC SPORT social media and via the comprehensive map =>> https://trimaran-idec.geovoile.com/julesverne/2025/viewer/
