I understood that the reason, or at least a key reason, is that, for whatever reason, she had limited weather info up the S. Atlantic.
My issue is not that she did not have current information. Even if she did the doldrums are so hard to predict it would not have helped. I have been following RTW races for a couple decades now and it has almost always been the case that the Atlantic doldrums are narrower in the west, plus you pick up a following current there, so especially in the absence of better information, west is best. Mostly I am disappointed as she had sailed so well that she claimed the lead after Simon got smashed, and was well positioned to win, which would be wonderful. But still have hope.
I’m no weather router, but it seems like the Doldrums just aren’t as “well formed” as they sometimes are, with that big light area extended up above the dashed red line I drew. In any case, not having access to good weather info, indeed, I suppose you just do your best/hope for favourable Doldrums conditions, since once you’ve enter the “pot-au-noir”, as the French call it, you get stirred up in the black pot?
If she was using Ocean Passages, as mentioned earlier, it seems only a fairly rough guide at best. How far west to go - that seems like a hard decision to make in this context with limited info. 
She dropped her scraper (according to the latest update/chat with tracker positions/weather.) Don’t know if she dropped it before, during or after scraping…will probably find out on her next mopey-sounding call in
(the GGR posts regularly on their FB page)
Got to be able to improvise, any stiff piece of plastic will do.She dropped her scraper (according to the latest update/chat with tracker positions/weather.) Don’t know if she dropped it before, during or after scraping…will probably find out on her next mopey-sounding call in
Surprisingly, in the last audio posted, Kirsten thought she still is not east enough. Not sure why she is strongly against the "west is best" adage.
I suppose we will hear the thinking behind the strategy in the end, but Kirsten seemed to go east as much as possible once passed the Falklands, Abilash went a more northerly course closer to brazil from that point. This might just have been the weather at the time.
didn't last long on that one. Abilash seems to have the most cards currently out of these three.
I see what you did there, she has a time credit for rescuing Tapio up her sleeve.
To hazard a few guesses - more experience (and consistent focus on) racing; and a hull scrub during his unplanned week-long holiday in Chile earlier. (I don’t know how his boat compares to A’s and K’s in terms of design/performance, and gear/sails/set up. For example, I think it was said K’s twin headsail set up helped her in some downwind portions earlier.)
