Around the world against the wind: Storm slows down "Use it again!": Doomed to wait in Cook Bay

This is not how Romain Pillard and Alex Pella had imagined their record-breaking ride: After initially making good progress, the Frenchman and the Spaniard are currently taking a forced break. In search of the best possible protection from an approaching heavy storm, the duo are sailing their trimaran "Use it again!" in Cook Bay at the entrance to the Beagle Channel south of the Strait of Magellan, where they will probably be condemned to wait until 10 February.

Romain Pillard and Alex Pella set off on their record attempt from Lorient on 4 January. They are aiming to beat the long-standing record set by Jean Luc Van Den Heede, who completed the highly challenging 34,000 nautical miles against the prevailing winds and currents in 2004 in 122 days, 14 hours, 3 minutes and 4 seconds. What sailing in the grey south can mean for a trimaran, show these current pictures and the commentary by Romain Pillard (please click!). For comparison: Germany's exceptional sailor Wilfried Erdmann managed the more difficult circumnavigation from east to west in 2000/01 in 343 days non-stop and alone - an outstanding pioneering achievement.

The two current record hunters, who use their boat name and slogan "Use it again!" to promote more sustainability and the circular economy, had to give up hope on Sunday evening of being able to continue their circumnavigation at the beginning of the week - the stormy outlook for the coming days is too brutal. Waves up to eight metres high and winds of 45 knots and more are expected. Leaving Cook Bay would be too risky.

The team announced on Monday that they expect to be able to continue their course towards the end of the week. Until then, the French-Spanish duo will seek the best possible protection in Cook Bay and continue the trimaran's intensive safety checks. Pillard and Pella will largely keep to their watch rhythm in order to get the best possible rest before the upcoming exertions. After all, the circumnavigators are not expecting a walk in the park on Thursday either. "We are expecting tough conditions in strong, short waves," said a message from the team, "these are very demanding conditions for the sailors and the trimaran 'Use it again!

The crew wants to weather the storm in Cook Bay on the advice of their weather expert and router Christian Dumard. The duo had happily passed Cape Horn on 3 February. For co-skipper Alex Pella, it was his fourth encounter with the legendary landmark, but his first on a passage from east to west. "I think I would still find it just as mythical and exciting the thousandth time," said Pella happily. Skipper Romain Pillard celebrated his Cape Horn première.

The two Cape Hoorniers are more than ready for the next ocean, but will have to wait a few more days. Click here for the "Use it again!" crew's report from the Cape Horn Passage on 3 February (please click!).