Tony Bullimore
Blue Ocean Wireless Solo Round the World Challenge

Tony Bullimore is now almost due east of Wellington and plans to continue his northerly course until the winds turn SW on Tuesday and allow him to tack NW towards Auckland. The British yachtsman is heading there to repair rigging damage on his 102ft catamaran Doha that forced him to abandon the Blue Ocean Wireless Round the World Challenge on May 11.

Neither Bullimore nor his catamaran are in any danger, but he is battling against very strong headwinds that have been gusting up to 50knots at times.  
"It's very rough out here. I am trying to keep the speed down to stop the boat from slamming too much, and have just the storm sail set at the moment." Tony reported yesterday.

Lee Bruce, Team Bullimore's weather router advised Tony overnight:
"If we assume similar N to NNE progress, you should be in a lighter wind field in about 24 hours.  It may not feel like it, but it will be better than where you are now!"

    14 May 06:00GMT - 12:00GMT:  Winds 260 degress/25-30knots
    15 May 00:00GMT:  Winds 280 degrees/35-45knots
                06:00GMT:  Winds SW 25knot and settling to 20knots by 12:00GMT.

Meanwhile, Tony remains typically bullish about the future, planning a repair programme that will allow him to restart the Blue Ocean Wireless Round the World Challenge as soon as possible.