Now that Beluga Racer and Desafio Cabo de Hornos are past the eastern end of the Ice Gate, both boats are on a deep dive south to catch the outer edge of passing low pressure system. The system has been carrying quite a punch, but with the boats forced to stay well north of the mandatory gate, they have missed the best wind. Now clear of the gate both boats are racing for the edge of the system hoping to ride out the last bit of big breeze before a small ridge of high pressure sets in. Once the high moves across them the wind will die and they will have time to regroup before the next front. That’s how it goes in that neck of the woods.

The dramatic rescue of Nico Budel is yet one more story of the immense solidarity shared by all sailors who take to the open ocean, be it alone on a small boat or aboard one of the world’s largest freighters. The moment you cast lines ashore and point your bow toward the open horizon, you inadvertently join a fraternity that has been in existence since man first set sail. There is a common understanding that should you founder, for whatever reason, another sailor will, without question, come to your aid.

The course for the Portimão Global Ocean Race takes in some of the roughest waters on the planet. Starting in Portimão, Portugal the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa, Wellington New Zealand, Ilhabela, Brazil and Charleston, USA before finishing back in Portugal, a total of 30,000 nautical miles.