Time to leave NZ as Opua is really too cold in the morning and a 2 dozens boats rallye is also ready to head north. David a young italian backpacker got the dream to sail; we decided to invite him ...he ll not be disappointed...

Pure kiwi spirit: Tucker Thompson and his famous captain. He circumnavigated on this endemic wooden boat.

15mn before leaving Opua just after clearance

Byby New Zealand, still NE swell but wind shifted to SSW n increase

SW Gale warning, official just insisted by VHF  to come back...too late, ALCYONE is already 20m offshore

David, the climber  begin to understand its not going to be a so easy, by sunset pilot could steer anymore n I had to do it 5 hours long...

Much better after midnight, but Helena still too seasick to leave the cabin

We got 1 day of rest but this is a race to be east enough before the return of NE wind

Original code O is up for his last day of life...during the night it unrolled and exploded: Tissu was like paper...

3 reefs, more than 30k apparent