The weather on 24th April morning was really nice, the skiers could dry all their equipment, and reorganize their pulkas with the supplies waiting for them on board Vagabond. The 2 Norwegians and the Swedish were happy to share their long crossing with us all (www.jenterpalangs.com), lively atmosphere on board. For Caroline and Frédéric, it was a more memorable meeting. Both of them have been selected among other candidates to have a first polar experience on board Vagabond. This invitation was organized with La Guilde Européenne du Raid (www.la-guilde.org) in return for all supports I got for the last 20 years. Caroline and Frédéric could then discover sea ice, icebergs, wintering life on board, snowmobile, Greenlandic dogs, snow analysis by glaciologists, use of CTD and icemeter, permanent daylight...

France left yesterday by snowmobile, in the fog, with the 2 scientists, the 2 young guests and the guide. The Douarnenez Sea Festival team is now waiting for her in Brittany! About science, mission accomplished for Florent and Fred from Glaciology and Environmental Geophysics Laboratory of Grenoble; everything worked well, despite poor conditions (huge quantity of snow and monthly average temperature 11 degrees above normal). Not long after the team, the 3 skiers took the same direction, able to take advantage of the snowmobile track for few hours. Time for me to get ready, and the 3 dogs and I caught up with them. I joined them for about 10 kilometres. With the 2 strong ones, Jin and Imiaq, the girls doubled their average speed! I gave them some French cheese to wish them luck, then it was time for me to turn and go back to Vagabond. After several cancelled projects, I'm alone again, for about 2 weeks, with my 3 faithful companions.