Winds fall to near nothing after 2 days racing across the Great Australian Bight.

Position:
039 49 S, 134 43 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 21.9%

Heading: 290
Boat speed: 5.3 kt (7-day average: 4.5 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 126 nm
Distance made good: 5,479 nm (10,147 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,651 nm

Yokohama ETA: 182 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 168

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 885 nm) ETA: 8.2 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, cool, winds mixed and weak, S 4 - 5 kt
Barometer: 1013 hPa (rising)
Waves: 0.3 m -- flat
Wind (from): 4 - 5 kt S, rising to 18 kt NNW in 14 hrs
Current (from):
Engine: 0 hr / 1800 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (0 L)
Generator: 9 hr (9 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 80%

Today's Report

After 2 great sailing days with winds steady and strong either from astern or on the aft quarter, this morning they were in flux and beginning to change from out of the NW. In a light breeze, Saito-san was motoring at 6 kt at the time of the call. The seas were almost completely flat, he reported.

The position he gave (or which was heard) was slightly different than our "dead reckoning"* plot taken from the 4 am beacon report automatically sent by email. In fact the coordinates had him a few miles EAST of the beacon plot, and about a mile north. Since the beacon lat/long coordinates are usually very accurate, we assume the coordinates he stated were misread or, more likely, mis-heard.

*dead reckoning, actually "ded" as deduced from speed, time, and heading.

Added Comment

Saito-san said the autopilot was no longer drawing an unusual amount of current, which seems to confirm that the strong downwind sailing was putting a greater load on the hydraulic pump than he had been used to. "It's fine now," he said.

No further problems starting the generator have been reported since the new seals were put on in Hobart. Also, Saito-san reports the boat is completely dry, also the result of the good attention given there.

***
NBSD III is presently sailing across the Great Australian Bight described in Wikipedia as being "characterized by stunning cliff faces (up to 60 m high), surfing beaches, and rock platforms ideal for whale-watching."

A "bight" is a large open bay. In Australia's case, it's about 625 nm across.

Early-morning wind shift causes a 'wild tack' as weather conditions of the southern spring remain unsettled.

Position:
039 10 S, 131 48 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 22.3%

Heading: 335
Boat speed: 4.0 kt (7-day average: 4.6 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 96 nm
Distance made good: 5,575 nm (10,325 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,555 nm

Yokohama ETA: 177 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 167

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 779 nm) ETA: 7.1 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, cool, winds mixed, W 15 - 16 kt
Barometer: 1009 hPa (down)
Waves: 1.5 m
Wind (from): 15 - 16 kt W, dropping to 9 kt W in 14 hrs, moving to ESE in 34 hr
Current (from): 0.1 kt SE
Engine: 8 hr / 1700 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (48 L)
Generator: 9 hr (9 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 80%

Today's Report

A 2 am wind shift threw the main over on a wild (uncontrolled) tack during the wee morning hours, with no damage but causing several minutes of scrambling by the skipper. The southern late spring is bringing unsettled weather conditions with rain and winds mainly out of the west expected in the next several days. Winds will continue to be highly variable. Spring ends Dec. 21.

Added Comment

At his present pace he should clear his 4th waypoint, Cape Leeuwin (lew-win) within 6 or 7 days.

Cape Leeuwin is named after the first ship known to have visited the area, a Dutch galleon that charted some of the nearby coastline in 1622.

After that comes the massive expanse of the Indian Ocean and 4,500 nm / 38 - 42 days to Waypoint 5, the Cape of Good Hope at the foot of the African continent.

[SAITO 8 FACTOID NO. 7]

Saito's childhood home was in an area of Tokyo devastated by Allied firebombing during WWII. Evacuated with his family at age 10 to the countryside, he later returned to see only a wide expanse of rubble where their neighborhood had been.

Day 75 [Dec. 16, 0700 JST]

Headwinds slow things a bit; later a return of helpful winds from the east. Plans afoot to get his Iridium sat phone repaired.

Position:
038 06 S, 130 39 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 22.6%

Heading: 280
Boat speed: 3.3 kt (7-day average: 4.5 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 79 nm
Distance made good: 5,654 nm (10,471 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,476 nm

Yokohama ETA: 180 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 166

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 633 nm) ETA: 8.0 days

Weather: Rainy, cool, winds mixed, W 6 - 8 kt
Barometer: 10011 hPa (up slightly)
Waves: 0.5 m
Wind (from): 6 - 9 kt W, rising to 13 kt SE in 14 hrs, moving to 20 WSW in 34 hr
Current (from): 0.1 kt SE
Engine: 3.5 hr / 1700 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (21 L)
Generator: 6.5 hr (6.5 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 80 - 90%

Today's Report

Everything is fine, the skipper reports, though weakening headwinds mainly from the west reduced the 24-hr distance to under 80 nm. Saito mainly sailed, as part of an effort to reduce engine use, and the day's track showed a longish tack to the north as a result.

Added Comment

The support committee spent today working out the logistics of getting his Iridium sat phone repaired. The unit, supplied by sponsor Clearpoint (also footing the communication fees), has been an enormous benefit in daily comms. Unfortunately, a break in the power connector has made recharging impossible.

Arrangements are being made for a few hours' stopover in Freemantle, where a technician for a local Iridium VAR can receive the unit, effect repairs, and let Saito proceed on his way. The Inmarsat, supplied by sponsor Japan Radio Corporation, will once again become the back-up comms with Tokyo.

The importance of both systems for our daily contacts will grow as Saito moves deeply into the Indian and Southern oceans and further from land-based side-band radio operators, including those supporting OkeraNet.

Okeranet is a Japanese-language network set up to assist cruising sailors. It closely follows Saito-san daily and posts his daily positions here in a nice graphic presentation.

Clearpoint Winds

Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Clearpoint Waves

Weather Forecast

Click to see all Waypoints.

Day 76 [Dec. 17, 0700 JST]

His slight jog to Fremantle is agreed so the Iridium sat phone can be fixed.

Position:
038 01 S, 128 30 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 23.0%

Heading: 285
Boat speed: 4.2 kt (7-day average: 4.4 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 101 nm
Distance made good: 5,755 nm (10,658 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,375 nm

Yokohama ETA: 183 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 165

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 617 nm) ETA: 6.0 days

Weather: Overcast, winds mixed, SE 5 - 7 kt
Barometer: 10011 hPa (unchanged)
Waves: 0.5 m
Wind (from): 5 - 7 kt SE, changing to 16 kt SW in 14 hrs, then to 4 kt S in 38 hr
Current (from): 0.2 kt SE
Engine: 7 hr / 1800 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (53 L)
Generator: 4 hr (4 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

No problems in yesterday's sailing, and improved progress since the last position report (79 vs 101 nm).

The skipper confirms the plan for him to proceed to Fremantle to have the Iridium sat phone fixed. The Fremantle ETA is 7 or 8 days, with a 2-hour stopover planned so there will be minimal impact on his schedule. [More later as final details are made.]

No difference in the Cape Town ETA is expected since his route would have taken him above Fremantle's latitude as originally planned.

Added Comment

In today's email bag:

I hope Saito-san is in high spirits today with the repair planned for the iridium phone.
I am really enjoying the updates and getting to know what it is like out there.

I am not sure if you are aware that there is a young British kid doing a solo circumnavigation at the same time. Here is his link.

I am giving this to you as I thought Saito-san might get a chance to chat to him as he nears or passes as they should at some time in the near future.

Give Saito-san my best wishes.

Greg Phillpotts

Thanks, Greg. There's another "kid" out there, now a bit over half way through, by the name of Zac Sunderland. Both, as has Saito-san, have had their share of problems. But all three are pushing ahead. We wish them well.

Clearpoint Winds

Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Clearpoint Waves

Weather Forecast

Click to see all Waypoints.

Day 77 [Dec. 18, 0700 JST]

'Cold' but steady progress toward WP 4 and then on to Fremantle.

Position:
037 18 S, 126 05 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 23.5%

Heading: 280
Boat speed: 5.1 kt (7-day average: 4.6 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 122 nm
Distance made good: 5,877 nm (10,884 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,375 nm

Yokohama ETA: 174 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 164

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 494 nm) ETA: 4.5 days

Weather: Overcast, 14 C, winds mixed, S 13 - 16 kt
Barometer: 10013 hPa (rising)
Waves: 0.5 m
Wind (from): 13 - 16 kt S, changing to 4 kt ESE in 14 hrs, then to 19 kt NE in 48 hr
Current (from): 0.2 kt SE
Engine: 7 hr / 1800 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (53 L)
Generator: 5.5 hr (5.5 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 70 - 80%

Today's Report

All is going well, but "it's cold!" the skipper reports. Last night's strong headwinds from west at 30 kt slowed progress but he still made good time at 5.1 kt / 122 nm.

Added Comment

The harbor master of Fremantle Sailing Club, Andrew Raven, was called this morning over Skype. He advised on the best approach into the sailing club marina which turns out to be conveniently located right at the edge of the coast.

Saito-san does not have detailed charts so safe-passage waypoints will be provided to him by fax. He'll need to avoid several islands in the vicinity.

Saito-san recalled that the last time he came to Fremantle he ran into crab/lobster pot floats, but Andrew said that if he goes north of Rottnest Island he will avoid the fisheries area.

Day 78 [Dec. 19, 0700 JST]

It's a beam reach sort of day, and the sailing is easy. Two more days and it's 25% under the keel.

Position:
036 54 S, 123 28 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 24.0%

Heading: 290
Boat speed: 5.3 kt (7-day average: 4.8 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 128 nm
Distance made good: 6,005 nm (11,121 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,125 nm

Yokohama ETA: 166 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 163

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 367 nm) ETA: 3.2 days

Weather: Overcast, winds improved, N 15 - 18 kt
Barometer: 10013 hPa (unchanged)
Waves: 1.5 m
Wind (from): 15 - 18 kt N, maintaining at 9 kt N in 14 hrs, then to 18 kt ENE in 38 hrs
Current (from): 0.0 kt
Engine: 7.5 hr / 1800 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (56.25 L)
Generator: 3.5 hr (3.5 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

An even better day at 128 nm / 5.3 kt as winds come around from the south to put him on a beam reach propelled by north winds in the mid to high teens. Seas are easy at 1.5 m. Skies cloudy but beginning to clear.

Added Comment

Saito passed 6,000 nm / 11,000 km today, and will reach the 25% point in 2 days.

***
CNN this morning was reporting the development of a cyclone for northern Australia.

***

From today's email bag:

Hunter & Saito Challenge 8 Support Committee

Thank you for great logs of Saito’s progress. I’m checking daily. I find I’m generally paying close attention to the choice of sails in relation to the winds, but today I focused on the distance made good. 122nm today - solo! Best we did on Nalu 4 was 96nm and there were 4 of us! A passage from Niigata to Nahodka. And I was in awe of that…

I’m also interested in his stopover in Fremantle. My wife and I had lunch there last summer and passed by the marina where he will stop. (Also got to sail in the Wednesday ‘Old Geezers Beer Can Race’. Total age of the crew of 5 on my boat in excess of 300 years – range 14 to 82. We took 1st place in J 24 class)…

So – Thanks for a job well done.

Bill

Thanks very much, Bill!

Bill runs his own sailing school in Osaka, teaching in English.

Day 79 [Dec. 20, 0700 JST]

A slower day as seas grow bigger. Further south, a drama plays out over the rescue of a solo racer. Meanwhile, cyclone 'Billy' brews up north and a passing squall brings hail and 5m swells.

Position:
036 36 S, 121 50 E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 24.4%

Heading: 314
Boat speed: 3.4 kt (7-day average: 4.4 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 81 nm
Distance made good: 6,086 nm (11,238 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 19,044 nm

Yokohama ETA: 180 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Days until Yokohama 150th Anniversary Port Celebration: 162

Cape Leeuwin (WP #4 / 288 nm) ETA: 2.7 days

Weather: Overcast, winds assisting, ENE 18 - 22 kt, seas growing to 2.5 - 3 m
Barometer: 1005 hPa (down)
Waves: 2.5 - 3.0 m
Wind (from): 18 - 22 kt ENE, maintaining at 17 kt ENE in 14 hrs, then to 13 kt SSW in 38 hrs
Current (from): 0.0 kt
Engine: 0 hr / 1800 rpm, 0 hr / 2000 rpm (0 L)
Generator: 10.5 hr (10.5 L)
Sails
Main: 2pt
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%, then later to 70%

Today's Report

0700
Progress slowed some as winds remained steady out of the NE and ENE. Seas grew to 2.5 - 3.0 m. The skipper said the swells are following seas and caused increased auto hydraulic steering correction, with increased draw on the batteries and thus he ran the aux generator a few extra hours yesterday. Favorable winds reduced engine use to zero.

[There was a conflict today between the beacon position and the stated position, which was about 30 nm east -- in the opposite direction. This time it appears likely the beacon was wrong -- Saito-san reaffirmed later his 7 am position.]

1100
Position: 36 40 S, 121 38 E

Saito called and said he was in had been in a squall with hail for the past hour, and had reduced sail to 3pt reef with a totally furled headsail. Winds had increased to 28 kt out of the ESE with seas running 4 - 5 m. At the time of his call the squall seemed to have passed, and he was back sailing at 3 kt.

Added Comment

A French yachtsman participating in the Vendee Globe Race is today being rescued after breaking his femur (upper thigh bone) approx. 750 nm south of Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III's position.

On the Vendee Globe Race web site, access the "Newswire" menu item, then scroll down to see video of the efforts being made to assist him.

The Vendee Globe web page has comments posted daily by the racers who present a vivid picture of the southern ocean (eastward) route they are following. It's Day 40 of the race, which is about half over.

***
Cyclone Watch
"Billy," a cyclone skirting Darwin in northwest Australia has grown to a "warning" (orange) and a "watch" (yellow) on CNN, though is still far from Saito's position -- 1,100 - 1,200 nm to his NNE. Saito was informed and said he will track it.