Sitrep 1, 17 May 2026. The four Challengers cleared Western Approaches in one day and all have maintained average daily runs of over 100nm, thanks to wind that stayed in the northern sector. EDEN MARINDIN, WINGDING and RAVEN have followed similar courses to the South, at times their tracks are so close they would have been able to make VHF contact.
Fast sailing, however, did not always mean comfortable. Skippers reported confused and sometimes rough and breaking seas, finding themselves between a low over Portugal and a high in the Atlantic. ONE DAY (Bob Turner) suffered equipment failure and, consequently, Bob has now retired from the challenge. As we write he is heading north in the Irish sea toward home.
The weather pattern of the last week is not set to continue. Low pressures will dominate the next week. As the wind backs skippers will need to plan ahead: will they now tack west or try to get into light winds south on the edge of the Azores high?
