That doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing, though. The swell is still very much present and, above all, the wind is testing the solo sailor's patience. "Last night, it was pretty much constant trimming, trimming, trimming to stay on course!" The result: barely an hour to an hour and a half of sleep. Fortunately, Éric manages to catch up on his rest during the day, when rising temperatures are accompanied by more stable winds.
Another sign that the Caribbean is approaching is the increasing presence of sargassum seaweed. Initially appearing in isolated patches, it now forms long, flowing strands across the ocean's surface. It's a sight that Éric finds as beautiful as it is worrying, knowing the damage these algae can cause along Caribbean coastlines.
But the big event right now is, of course, the start of the Route du Rhum, which Éric has been following enthusiastically. "That's it, I've now got a whole bunch of incredibly talented athletes charging along behind me! Let's hope I get there before the leaders!" It's a race within the race that captures the very essence of his adventure: "One sailor, one boat, the ocean… Starting from point A, finishing in Pointe-à-Pitre, no stopovers, and nothing but the power of the sails."
Now comes the challenge of approaching Guadeloupe. Although the final 300 nautical miles could theoretically be covered in two days, Éric prefers to allow three. The island's leeward coast promises tricky conditions, with areas of calm and katabatic winds that could complicate the final sail adjustments. "I think both the boat and I are really looking forward to arriving now!"
After a month on the Atlantic, the countdown is on…
Follow Éric live: https://share.garmin.com/Skiboo2
