Sept 26, 5:30 a.m HST

Hokule'a continues on its brisk pace toward Rapa Nui, covering 150 miles in the last 24 hours. It is travelling at 6 knots in 25 knot winds from NNE, heading La Malanai (E by S).

Photo: Hokule'a sailing in 25 knots of winds , heading into the rising sun, sea spray flying over her bow, atmosphere hazy with "smoke". The crew has put on smaller sails for the higher winds. (Photo by Sam Low, taken and e-mailed at 6 a.m. HST, Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999)

The canoe is at about 126° W longitude, having covered about 1/3 of the distance to Rapa Nui in five days. The depature was perfectly timed, with northerly winds, increasing in strength, allowing the canoe to sail straight for Rapa Nui. The northerly winds are forecasted to hold for the next 36 hours, extending all the way out to 118° W, another 480 miles, or three days of sailing. The sailing may get more difficult and progress toward the island may be much slower when the winds lighten and go easterly as the canoe gets closer to Rapa Nui.

Wind Watch: Northerly winds are forecasted to continue at 15-25 knots from between NW to NE within the next 36 hours...Hokule'a is at the back end of a high and the front end of a low, hence the good northerly winds that are allowing the crew to sail east without tacking. A front associated with the low to the SW of the canoe does not look like it will reach the canoe.

For back reports on the leg to Rapa Nui, go to Rapa Nui Back Reports

For more information on the leg to Rapa Nui, go to The Mangareva-to-Rapa Nui Page

For more information on the quest for Rapa Nui, go to the PVS Homepage