Since the 3rd day…we are ok with the classical 3 hours shift rythm of ALCYONE ; we have to keep the nightly 2nd reef as wind switch to NE , but the worst  is this nasty depression  wich is deepening  in NW of our position. This is not connected,  but 3 chinese fishing boat are nearby; in fact they are going to stay around us more than 2 days...

   The plan  to wait the dep has gone on our SE and to sail behind was seductive: After all, we have  plenty of  time n food...but 
- First, we reduced the speed 6 hours...but it's not enough, 
- Second, we drift with no other sail than our lazzybag 6 hours but it's not enough,
...in fact  each new 6 hours GFS gribs show that the dep is not moving south eastward as quick as expected and that ALCYONE is stil in the system. 
- Finally we have to prepare the boat for the worst n... sail back on a run to the W with 3 reefs to  :  As a conclusion, ALCYONE finished this not productive move...in the 50k gribs we wanted to escape ...at least for a shorter time and on the good quarter of the depression...but 150 milles more east...   barometer deep to 994 hpa instead of the forecasted 997 hpa but real wind never go above 45k n  the sea is not not big: The waiting party is only 6 hours during the night, with no sail, piloted in windvane at 110 degrees with maxi response; safe n confortable, but at a speed  of 5 and 7k... backward in the opposite direction. We loose almost 400 milles in this loop

   That 's enough with this 35 degrees latitude track: a huge high is building now on our eastbound way n we decided to sail south in the forties to get  more friendly wind, to see the albatros ...n...may be...to make progress in wheather interpretation. 


ALCYONE sandwich between  W lows n the E High...The 1005 low in the north is the nasty one as deepening...
We had to secure the furler bottom
and to arrange (Jordan playing)  the twisted jib haliyard with a bit of sail (3rd reef) 

The action is this way...but we ll do all possible to avoid it as any trouble in this location is not really recommanded

ALCYONE (blue point) in  tomorrow wheather?  we must go back, n quick !


3 reef  to sail...but this time on the wrong way: NW
The 6 hours intervall  irridium connection are like a drug... 
Present gribs are mostly accurate but at 6h00 situation change to quick fo us

ALCYONE is not far from the low center, this purple wall is going to catch her

Meteo gave 997hpa ,  we got 994




GRRR...Game over: 380 milles more navigation to arrive in this 50k grib !





    Part of the loop which cost us 380 milles, but boat n crew are in perfect conditions...what else ?