May 16, 2007 -- Donna Lange has finished her solo round the world sail aboard her 28 foot Southern Cross sailboat (Inspired Insanity) and is safely moored in Bristol, Rhode Island. Her recent daily position plots are plotted on Google Earth or Google Maps in the Google Earth Communities Forum . Each daily position plot (pin) contains a ships log entry, so be sure to click each plot if you want to read that day's log posting.

There are a few links about her voyage online, for one you can check my blog , visit her site with sponsor links or read her her daily postings . If her daily log entries are of interest to you, please consider a donation to keep her daily email connectivity going. (Note: She is a talented musician - consider a donation by way of ordering her CD)

NOTE: Use Google Earth as not all data will come through plotted on Maps.

At the equator, it is normal to experience less wind as one enters an area known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). During this time of the year it is smallish, but Donna could still see a slow down in her daily distance, which have recently been well over 100 nm per day. She coment in her 3/10/2007 log post:

Quote:

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Though I may still experience squalls
and lighter winds, this morn feels remarkably fresh
with increase of winds. We are moving beautifully
on ENE winds. At 5*N my COG will shift to 315 to
begin the 2700nm run to a waypoint just west of
Bermuda. AT this point with the resources I have
on board to plan navigation, I believe it is worth
adding a few miles to give a more northerly approach
angle to RI, following more closely the general
circular movement of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Conditions: temp 86*f, Bar 1005> a tad: I crossed
the Equator in hazy clouded skies and light winds,
as expected for the ITC zone. noon yesterday until
into the evening the winds continued light and
then the breeze strengthened and steadied as the
sky cleared. I have been seeing the Big Dipper
in the north over the last week or so, tipped over
waiting for Polaris to rise from the horizon.
Due to the haze at the horizon, I have not had
my first view of the infamous North Star but it
will climb up on the horizon with each degree north
I sail and be visible very soon as it will be hanging
of my SB bow in the nights these next weeks to
RI. I have recalculated my arrival and set waypoints
with the decision to go west of Bermuda. The changes
added less than 100nm to the route and will help
ensure steady progress the last week as much as
I can do with planning ahead. It is absolutely
glorious today.

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Decision day ... March 15th.

In a recent email Donna has noted that due to stronger than expected wind through the ITCZ, she is well ahead of schedule and is heading for St. Thomas to give a "thank you hug to my home port crew in the Carib." She anticipates being home in Bristol, Rhode Island in in mid to late April ... target April 21 ... that's only a month away!

Just an update on Donna's status as we close out the month of March: Today she passed between Antigua and Barbuda on her way to a stop over in the Virgin Islands before continuing her journey home to Bristol Rhode Island -- tenative date April 21st. She should arrive to a greeting of her friends at Marina Cay late Wednesday night or Thursday morning if the wind holds steady. The last few days have found her in good spirits but since she has been tinkering with her diesel auxiliary is probably a little irritated. Besides offering a charge for her minimal electrical needs when the wind eases (wind generator), it is useful in case a little push is needed to get to mooring or dockage. She isn't the first to deal with a cantankerous mechanical engine ... which is both the curse and boat saver for many a sailor.

Donna arrived safely (but with a few heart palpitations) to Virgin Gorda, BVI and was treated almost like royalty by her friends and those chartering. She was able to get a good nights sleep and arrangements were made to have her starter looked at. She will enjoy a few days with friends moving between island without her sailboat.

I've plotted an extra plot in Road Town since it looks as if her boat might have been moved over there for additional work? I'll update when I hear from Donna. Her intent is to be back sailing towards Rhode Island on April 5th.

Yes ... Insanity Island is at the Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola, BVI. (4/1/2007)

We were delighted to see Donna on St Thomas yesterday. She will be playing a show at Latitude 18 tomorrow.

Bet it was a good time ... where you there when her brother Jeff was taking photos?

Donna is nearly becalmed in the Atlantic and is 'fluidly' sailing with "iron genny" ... although not enjoying the exhaust of the diesel rolling back aboard Inspired Insanity. She has taken advantage of the time to work on song, chat by sat-phone with a few preparing a homecoming (and media) and sleeping for a few extra hours while on deck under the stars. All in all she is still making good time and expects winds to pick up a bit tomorrow. Time sailing is nearly to the single digits of days ... arrival expected April 21st in Bristol Rhode Island.

April 15th ... In fighting with weather and a nasty gale out in the Atlantic, Donna has postponed her intended landfall for a few days. Check with the DonnaLange.com site for homecoming plans. Currently she has held her own and is not making any headway ... backtracking perhaps? Anyway, as she says ... "all is good." Her strength and positive determination is something to be envied. Keep her safety in your prayers as although she is strong, her boat Inspired Insanty strong ... both are weary as she nears home.

Update on Atlantic Gale facing Donna Lange and her final push for home ... Bristol, Rhode Island:

Quote:

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April 15, 2007
2200UTC 1800EST
Storm update:
All is well. So far the storm is coming as suggested by the Grib file and Bouy weather. by 1900UTC winds were up to 30+kn and gusting, lulls and gusts, lulls and gusts a little higher. Seas have really not begun to build. They are about 6' with occasional swell sets. We are still sailing closehauled to the wind heading SE away from the storm center. When the next level increase of wind comes, I will turn downwind heading northwest, helping me clear the front quicker as the north edge is leading..the front line will have passed sometime around midnight and the winds shift to west, and decrease back to 30kn. Though all of you will be sleeping, I will update the progress as soon as I can once the front has passed. I have all my safety gear out and ready to go incase the seas or conditions deem it necessary, however I have sailed all the storms til now without it. I am feeling good. I have had alot of rest and it has been a long time since I have done a gale so I am fresh...I am able to meditate and tune into the amazing loving, peaceful energy coming to me out here. It is incredible to think so many are focusing their energy here. It is working!! Yet, this storm is a huge storm, and I am not being lax in my positive sense about it. I am just very blessed...Thank you all. my position 32N 6920W. Note, I haven't gone anywhere for 2 days. back and forth, north and south.... but it has kept me farther from the more focused winds and squalls. I'll head north soon, but I can tell ya right now, you won't be off the hook. Not so much because of high winds, but we need to twist the arm of the winds to help me get home. more smaller fronts coming....spring in New england. They are going to have to start naming all the tropical storm D's, Donna...I sure have danced with enough of them....big loves to all. The sea and I are having an amazing encounter...
xooxoxo
d

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