Image: Photo sent from aboard the boat Stark during the Vendee Globe sailing race on February 8, 2021. (Photo by skipper Ari Huusela)

Ari Huusela (STARK) this morning:

"I have a 120 degrees TWA and finally I am heading north towards the Equator and have easier conditions. 

The forecast looks like it is going to stay like this for the next five or six days so I am pretty happy. Finally the upwind, the banging and slamming on the boat has stopped. It is over. There is some slamming and banging from the side but I am happy and I have had some good rest also. The conditions are quite stable. 

I should be 10 to 15kts all the way to the Equator. Now it is just enjoying and working the boat. 

These two weeks have been quite rough. Last evening I was close to a nervous breakdown it was so horrible, the sea state was so bad I thought the boat would break into pieces. But now it better and I am back in the right mood. 

It has been harder. I am really going to enjoy these coming days. But then it is going to be hard to get to Les Sables d’Olonne when you see the five guys going there just now I have my fingers crossed I don’t have the weather like that. If it going to be like that I will slow down and wait for decent conditions. 

I have been sending messages with Sam. She was quite funny when she said she was more scared of flying in a plane than sailing in 40-50kts coming in to Cape Horn. We had a good chat about that. I promised her whenever she wants she can fly with me in the cockpit and I will make her relax. When you are in the cockpit of the plane and you know what you are doing  and you see the clouds and see the rain clouds you are much more on top of the situation."

Ari Huusela / STARK