12-Aug-2006 Noon Position

French Polynesia to Niue
South Pacific Ocean

• 12-Aug-2006
• 18°22.9000"S/164°10.9000"W
• 104nm in last 24hrs
• 720nm from Bora Bora
• 324nm to Niue
• 10-15 knots E
• swells 5ft SE

Ahoy,
We passed Palmerson Island at midnight, clearing it by 10 miles. We are making our way to Niue. By our pitiful 24 hour run, you can see that the winds have dropped down. But right at noon, they picked back up to 15-20 knots. If they hold, then we should have a really good run by noon tomorrow.

This run from Bora Bora has been really good. Since we left, the winds have been off the starboard aft quarter, making for really easy sailing. The windvane still amazes me on how well it steers. The windier it is, the better it steers!

Today was also shower day. So Team Sandpiper is smelling pretty sweet.

The farther west we go, the later the sun is setting as well. When we left Bora Bora, it was setting at 5:30pm. Tonight it set at 7pm. I think there is going to be a one hour time change when we arrive in Niue as well.

More in 24.

Tom and Amy