STAGE 2

January 1, 1985:

Departed Darwin, Australia.

March:

Arrived Cocos Keeling Islands, Indian Ocean. 58 days at sea. 4 cyclones, lots of knockdowns, atrocious skin rash from heat & humidity. Learned to use sextant the simple way (my way) by taking noon shots only. Result: Longitude and latitude correct within 5 miles.

March – May:

Cocos Keeling Islands to Port Louis, Mauritius to St. Pierre, Reunion. Fast, downwind legs in the windy Indian Ocean.

May – June:

Reunion to Fort Dauphin, Madagascar. Stupid mistake. Nearly fatal fire at sea. Mistaken for terrorist on arrival in Madagascar.

June:

Madagascar to Durban, South Africa.

June – October:

In Durban. Wait for right season to round Cape of Good Hope. Help friend build boat.

October – November:

Durban to Cape Town, South Africa. Bad storm on arrival in Cape Town. Fall asleep at the tiller and awake on the beach.

December:

In Cape Town. Prepare to cross Atlantic. Meet Whitbread Around the World racers. Lots of parties.