Sea Dragon and her team continue to press SE, towards the heart of the Gyre center. This morning the crew reported clearing skies and winders “moderating” to just over 20kts- this is a big improvement from the 40+kts they had seen in the last 48 hours. All things relative, this will bring a positive, productive mood to the crew. They have fought their way through the rough edges of the high, like bushwacking travellers fighting their way through a thicket that are now slowly coming into more open country.
The team is at 31.44.3S / 020.58.8W as of 1200GMT on the 24th. The high has spread out somewhat, with a larger area that actually has extended up towards the boats latest position. They are not in the calm yet, but they should at least begin to sense a horizon with better weather to come.
With a bit of luck the next 24 hours will bring a rapid drop in wind speed and calming seas. They are right on the edge of the high, with its outer boundry starting to take shape at about 30S / 20W. Ahead lies a patch of wind speed of 10kts or less, clear air, no rain and wave heights of <1m – shaped like a 600 x 300 mile long oval oriented ESE.