That's almost a tongue twister, it would be if there were high seas and heavy weather! But no, as the Azores high begins to settle more to the north it is creating those light headwinds coming straight out of Horta. At the skippers briefing in Bermuda it was outlined that this may not be the typical sail north out of Bermuda to get the good westerly winds and sail over the top of the Azores high, and its associated clockwise winds. Many took a more rhumb line route taking advantage of the good south westerlies that have carried the yachts this far. It now really depends on how that Azores high is squeezed and moved around as to what conditions will be like for the second half of the crossing.
Jambo in their blog reported, "Light winds will present the next challenge as our range under engine will not be enough to see us to Horta. Some difficult decisions may be required depending on where the Azores high settles". As mentioned in the skippers briefing, there is an option of making landfall at Flores, (140 miles closer than Horta) if fuel tanks are very low. Flores is further to the north than Horta but in the past ARC Europe boats have stopped at the small fishing village to take on diesel before carrying on to Horta.
Lighter winds and calmer conditions means we are happy to receive more blogs from the boats at sea and catch up on intersting tales and even some photos such as the ones below from Widago.