Current Position: 71 03N / 019 17E
24 hour progress: 135nm, 5.6kts avg SOG, approximately 50nm to the Norwegian coastline. 15.4h of engine time in the past 24 hours.
As we expected from the start, the north winds faded away. We sailed the kite from a broad reach to a reach until the winds became too light. We pulled in the kite before Ronan's watch began and motored through both boy's watches and Jon's early morning watch.
Around 0630 local, we decided there was enough wind to sail again. We enjoyed a close reach in fairly gentle seas with 10-15kts of wind making speeds from 4-6.5kts over ground. All in all it was a nice bit of sailing without too much bashing even though we were chugging along to windward.
Midday saw the winds lightening again and moving on to the nose, the engine was thus re-engaged.
15min ago we returned to sailing. We are close hauled and pointed where we can enter the Norwegian coast line. We are hoping to get at least a few hours of sailing - if the forecast is correct. Even if it isn't the preferred point of sail, it is still better than the drone of the engine.
L'Éléphant continued to pull away last night and has been maintaining a 15nm lead since this morning's check-in. We chat with each other regularly on the satellite phone via text. Olivia shows occasionally on the AIS, still at 17 or so miles back. They seem to continue to be making similar progress to us. The rally continues, but it appears L'Éléphant will be taking line honors.
The weather continues to be a mix of sun and gray. There were some dark, ominous clouds, but we have mostly stayed clear and gotten only light drizzle here and there while also seeing some blue sky.
All continues to be well aboard. Not too much longer now, landfall excitement simmers. We are hoping to duck inside the Norwegian coast line in the early morning hours and to be anchor down mid day tomorrow before some stronger winds blow past while we rest a bit at anchor before heading the last miles into Tromsø.
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