Report From 40 Degrees Monday 16th November

Date: 16/11/2009
40 Degrees was in 7th Place at 0800 this morning
Speed 8.6 Knots
Course 295
184 nm to the finish

After the horrible night we had yesterday, the wind filled in just before dawn, and we were treated to a gorgeous day of proper Caribbean sailing.
We are crossing the Yucatan Channel, and can see the loom of light on the Yucatan Peninsula. There are 2.5 knots of current pushing us north, and we have just prudently changed from the big spinnaker to the small one, as a large black cloud is bearing down on 40 Degrees.
In 30 miles, we will be at the northeast tip of land, and from there, we will have about 150 miles of coast to race along to Progreso (how close will depend on the wind, and there are numerous fishing nets apparently).
So on this Monday morning, we have less than 200 miles to the finish of this 5000 mile transatlantic race. No doubt it will not all go smoothly - this is sailing after all!
Miranda/ 40 Degrees / 21 25 N 86 21 W