Day 7 and 8

I've had some questions as to what I (Gail) am doing while John is sailing.  I'm in Tucson, AZ visiting my parents, getting last minute boat supplies, and doing taxes.  Not nearly as exciting as John's trip.  I'll fly to Tahiti from LA around April 15th and catch an inter-island flight to the Marquesas.

Date: 03/25      

Noon to noon run: 122 NM
Time of position: 03:00
Lat/Lon: 09 deg 31.13'N; 120 deg 39.36'W
Course: 210 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 6 deg N; 126 deg W
Wind: Mostly broad reach to DDW at 7 - 15 knotS Avg boat speed 5-7 kts.

We have moved into the fringe of the ITCZ; actually we were on the fringe since yesterday morning.  And while we've seen multiple squalls around us, we've only received a tiny bit of rain so far, but that will most certainly change. We've been watching the ITCZ and there may be a really big hole opening up. If that happens we will probably dive straight south to get through as quickly as possible. Even after we get through the ITCZ the equator could still be a few days away.

Date: 03/24

Noon to noon run: 106 NM

Time of position: 19:00
Lat/Lon: 11 deg 52.87'N; 118 deg 14.85W
Course: 200 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 6 deg N; 126 deg W
Wind: Mostly broad reach to DDW at 7 - 10 knots or less; Avg boat speed 4-6 kts.

Music is gybing its way down our course line to our waypoint (above).  We have about 566 NM to get there. Then we will be looking for a soft spot in the ITCZ which we've renamed "The Zone".Our weather guru friend, Simon, who was our navigator for Pacific Cup in 2008 is now keeping us up to date on the Zone. And, we're glad to have him in our hip pocket.