The 25-35 knots winds and waves of the last 36 hrs destroyed most of the remaining ice in Franklin Strait and Larsen Sound. So we left Willis Bay last night and rushed at 8-10 knots thourgh Larsen Sound, circumventing the remaining ice, and just entered Victoria Strait (between Victoria Island and King William Island) with destination Cambridge Bay. We are currently sailing through the spot where Franklin got stuck in the ice in 1847.

Our initial plan was to take James Ross Strait and Rae Strait to Gjoa Haven, but since Victoria Strait is now ice free (which happens very rarely), we decided to take the short cut to Cambrdige Bay - which means no stop over in Gjoa Haven, unfortunately - but it is so late in the season that we really need to get east as fast as possible.

It feels really good to leave the ice behind for a while, and concentrate on sailing again, although the waves were a bit rough last night. And with temperature of -2 C and the spray from the waves, Libellule got pretty slippery.

Eta Cambridge Bay late night August 27th.