Nearly 6 kts in the right direction heading into the Great Southern Ocean. Merry Christmas!
Having just checked Andy's Blog at andylamont.com.au, his last message was posted 27 November.
Is Andy himself posting any weekly/occasional reports about what's happening on board on any other web forum or medium?
From Andys Facebook page by his wife:
"Andy was expecting big winds today but it fizzed out a little he reefed down in expectation of 4O kts but he hasn't seen it so far 30 knots has been the maximum so far. Chatham Island was the last bit of Australia that he saw - that was a moment - he is in good spirits doing well and in anticipation of the next cold front to hit on Thursday. I have passed on all of your christmas wishes and he wishes you all a Merry Christmas and Wonderful New year - Deb"
Still doing 5+kts in the right direction. Doesn't seem to be a challenge going west about. 
He seems to be having a real nice run at the moment. The real challenges will be Good Hope and Horn.
At some point he has to come north and cross the Equator doesn't he?? If he leaves that until after the Horn and does it in the Pacific he should have a very nice run home.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
He seems to be having a real nice run at the moment. The real challenges will be Good Hope and Horn.
At some point he has to come north and cross the Equator doesn't he?? If he leaves that until after the Horn and does it in the Pacific he should have a very nice run home.
From Andy's blog:
The Course
Andy will leave for the Gold Coast in Queensland. He will travel South, then West under Australia towards the Cape of Good Hope. From there he will cross the equator in the Atlantic bound for the Canary Islands.
After rounding the Canaries Andy will head south back down for the feared Cape Horn. This will be the most critical part of the voyage.
All things being well he will then leave Cape Horn behind on his way back home to the Gold Coast in sunny Queensland, Australia.
A front on the way but it should favour him with fresh southerlies when it passes.
Not sure about the classes. did not see it on the webpage. These records only started in 1972. Chay Blyth did the same trip in 1971 in "British Steel" 59ft in 292 days. He does not get a mention in the records there.
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
Andys appear to be moving along nicely today
Yep. Heading a bit south I expect to give him room to lay off the wind to the north when the next blow hits in a day or so.
Not sure how accurate this wind map is but I find it useful to try to understand his movements, which are consistent with what I would do in his shoes if I had access to this info.
earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-125.08,36.93,375
I think he's chasing some wind by the look of it
yb.tl/impulse?ignoreUA=true
www.windy.com/?-30.657,110.874,5
He is heading into a bit of a blow, probably pointing into 35-40kts. The S&S34 relishes these conditions but in my experience it is hard on the crew.
April 2014 we delivered Andy's boat from Sydney to the Gold Coast not realising that he was sooo serious about his challenge ahead! 
Andy contacted me to check on Impulse after he bought her and before you guys could get away. I motored over to her, rafted up and gave her a quick check. At the time I didn't know who Andy was, he contacted me through the S&S34 Association website.
By the look of it headwinds for the next week, except maybe on Wednesday when he may have some Sth'erlys.
Im wondering (from my armchair 
), if crossing the Southern Indian ocean at this time of year, a latitude of less than 30deg would be better to get over the top of the Highs, that just seem to roll across one after the other?
It has seemed to me he has positioned himself quite well so far, with the weather systems coming across, sometimes I suppose you just have to take whatever is dished out.
cheers
Select to expand quoteBlueMoon said..
By the look of it headwinds for the next week, except maybe on Wednesday when he may have some Sth'erlys.
Im wondering (from my armchair ), if crossing the Southern Indian ocean at this time of year, a latitude of less than 30deg would be better to get over the top of the Highs, that just seem to roll across one after the other?
It has seemed to me he has positioned himself quite well so far, with the weather systems coming across, sometimes I suppose you just have to take whatever is dished out.
cheers
He looks like he has turned south to keep in the wind and avoid the centre of the High. He looks to have a good wind picture similar to the wind map.
earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-287.00,-40.27,750/loc=92.225,-35.919
Select to expand quote<div>Speed: 4.7 knots @ 264.88°
<div>Position at: 11 Jan 2017 08:02 UTC
<div>Lat/Lon: 35° 22.02 S, 087° 51.06 E
I was looking at the same time HG. He is making great progress and after a still patch he will have good winds for a few more days.
nearly half way across
Impulse
Speed: 3.5 knots @ 271.24°
Position at: 12 Jan 2017 04:01 UTC
Lat/Lon: 35° 24.61 S, 086° 44.99 E
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
nearly half way across
Impulse
Speed: 3.5 knots @ 271.24°
Position at: 12 Jan 2017 04:01 UTC
Lat/Lon: 35° 24.61 S, 086° 44.99 E
I just hope he doesn't get hit by an airliner 
This makes interesting viewing. Just hit the "play" button.
www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml?type=mslp-precip&tz=AEDT&area=SH&model=G
Impulse
Speed: 4.0 knots @ 276.66°
Position at: 14 Jan 2017 12:00 UTC
Lat/Lon: 34° 16.11 S, 082° 23.61 E
Well over halfway across the Indian Ocean ditch and heading down to the Cape of Good Hope, and the Agulhas Current. He needs to keep clear if he can, a south or south westerly wind, like right now, while in the current would not be nice.
earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-316.76,-40.35,495
Still going fantastically well. He seems to position Impulse really well for each wind change. He is obviously using something like windmap.
Still using the winds beautifully. Approaching the Cape of Good Hope and well positioned for the wind patterns.
