Roberts' Race Report: Clarisse Heads East Towards the Pacific, But the Road Remains Tough

Australia is now behind her, and Clarisse is heading east. She has passed a corner in the exclusion zone for the ice gate, and the boats can now sail further south again, aiming to take the shortest route around Antarctica, depending on the weather conditions they encounter. Right now, Clarisse and Sam are unable to go south due to a large high-pressure zone, which has very little wind, if any.

Currently, the fleet is spread across a range of different weather systems and conditions. The leading three boats are ahead of a weather system, meaning they are east of a high-pressure center with light winds. As a result, the boats behind are blocked by this high-pressure zone and cannot get past the light winds.

The next group, from Nico to Justine, are to the south of this high-pressure system, which is pushing them eastward at a fast pace. However, the leaders are starting to run into a ridge that blocks their progress, preventing them from extending their lead.

Clarisse, who is currently alongside Sam, is now in light winds south of New Zealand. The fleet behind them is still in good wind, and they will compress over the next 24 hours. While their routes may not take them to the same place, Clarisse and Sam will likely be further upwind than Benj and may have an option to give southeast, especially once they get to the southeast of the low-pressure system moving their way.

It has been a difficult period for the fleet, with tough conditions for both the human and the boat. We are starting to see the price being paid for risks taken, tiredness, and general wear. Clarisse had a particularly difficult night with a mainsail locking issue. One thing led to another, and with tiredness in the mix and attempting to repair in conditions where it’s challenging just to stand up onboard, there was some collateral damage. Nothing serious, but one or two small things that require a lot of energy to fix. Once the energy is spent and the human is tired, recovery takes time.

There’s also the competitive element. This is an amazing adventure, but let’s not forget they are racing. And when someone is near you... you want to beat them. Clarisse doesn’t hide the fact that she is frustrated with herself and the position she’s found herself in. When you think she was once close to Justine or even Boris, if you’re competitive, it makes your stomach turn. But on the other hand, any small problem could become a bigger one. There are competitors out there who are facing worse challenges, and a thought goes out to Pip, Szabi, and everyone who has had to pull out. It sounds strange, but it’s good to see Clarisse upset, frustrated, and annoyed — it means the fire is still burning and she’s hungry for it. She will keep pushing and will be ready for the next gains! That being said, it’s a fine balance. You can’t let yourself spiral into a hole or get bogged down by losses, mistakes, or regrets. You have to learn from them and move on so that you can focus on the task at hand. If not, you’re just wasting energy!

What’s next? Well... just the Pacific. She will pass near Point Nemo, the furthest point from land on the planet, and then Cape Horn, known for its sunshine, calm seas, and cocktail bars... wait... that’s Antigua! It’s no holiday out there, and it will be getting cold again!