Osaka Cup-Smiling again!

Southern Cross have had their fair share of challenges since departing Melbourne. They are underway again and full of optimism-read Yasu’s report from this morning.

"Sailing is great that’s for sure - I’m revived after the last few days.

Its very humid like Tahiti – 17°, Fiji -18°, Port Vila – 18°, New Caledonia – 21° and Melish Reef – 17°. We are getting very close to the equator where the ocean surface temperature increases along with the evaporation. Around here the sea surface temperature is probably very high and evaporates well. When does the wind blow – the daytime or night time? Most probably the air is warmed in the daytime and the wind blows towards that area. Then at night clouds tend to form.
Because its so humid now I’ve changed from a blanket at night to a towlkett. ( It’s a large blanket made from toweling )

Yesterday for the repairs at Melish reef, we found a sheltered place to work. Since the inner side of the lagoon island was so shallow, we were not able to enter. There is a sand bar at west end of reef and so I dropped the anchor near there. In yesterday’s photo I’m looking towards the east. The sand bar is a good place for seabirds to rest and there were many of them all probably wondering who we were !?

We’re once again travelling in the northward flowing ocean current which will take us past Rossel Island. We’ll then pass Laughlan Island and Bouganville Island in the Solomon Sea at 5° S. From here to the equator it’s about 900 mile and @ 6knots that's 150 hours which will see us there around Apr 15th. Both Masa and I are doing fine.'
Yasu