Day 371 [10/09/09] Sea trials today

Sea trials scheduled today as countdown proceeds
Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W


Today's Report


Sea trials were to be held today as Saito sought to confirm the repairs to Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III.


Key among these are the replaced jib furler system, rudder, engine and propeller, and the crucial self-steering hydraulic rudder control.


No word had been received from him by 5 pm JST on the outcome.


If everything checks out during the sea trials he will leave tomorrow at 8 am local time, 6 months almost to the day after the 56-foot yacht was disabled April 12 at Cape Horn.