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Raphaela update
11:24 a.m. EDT Sep 24, 2003
Raphaela is now well on her way across the Pacific Ocean with 2633 miles covered since departure. When her support team last spoke to her she sounded confident and in high spirits. Compared to the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean this one has been more frustrating for her however.
Due to stormy weathers to the south of her, Raphaela is trying to move north to avoid trouble. But despite her efforts she has drifted a bit to the south with bigger swells as a result. So now she has to navigate to the north even if it means slower progress. Should the storm hit then the waves will surely cause the board to capsize.
Yesterday was still a good day and Raphaela described it as; "hyper serene, I sailed on without thinking about it, the hours flew by and I started to reflect on the meaning of life".
She covered 72 miles with the flying fish are her only company.
French adventurer Raphaela le Gouvello is trying to cross the Pacific Ocean solo on a surfboard. Raphaela has earlier solo surfed the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Her current sail follow in the footsteps of Thor Hejerdahl's Kon Tiki:
"Each time you take off on the sea, you have to be prepared for new difficulties. I expect the challenge of the Pacific to be dealing with its huge dimension. The swell is likely to be larger and stronger. Everything is multiplied by the scale of this ocean. For instance, the shark density is 3 times higher that of the Atlantic!
For over 2 months, I will find myself far from any human being, alone with the trade winds and currents that will push me West. The challenge will be to stay vigilant, awake, and in a good physical condition, along with the gear holding up".
Photo courtesy of, Odyssée du Vent 2003 - Raphaëla Le Gouvello
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