After a few days under engine or motor sailing, the last 24 hours sailing towards Mindelo are the real thing. We are sailing! Close-hauled. A wind force six made the ship heel, clipping through the waves. After days under engine and three weeks of only back winds, we certainly enjoy this!

 

            The chart attached to this message shows the track we have sailed. You notice the remarkable pirouette south of Ilha de Sao Nicolau. Forced by a tremendous shifting and decreasing of the wind, we had to move southwards to circumvent the depressions of this island. The influence of the mountainous highlands are perceptible up to 10 miles further. Awaiting our berthing position, we decide to anchor in a bay, specified in our charts as ‘good holding ground’. After several attempts, we were convinced it had been a lie. In the meantime our waiting time had passed and we were ready to sail into the harbor. Unlike our anchor, the mooring lines are keeping the Clipper in the right position.

Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam