Society

Antarctic expedition team sails through westerlies

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-14 08:39

ABOARD XUELONG - China's 26th Antarctic expedition team Saturday successfully dashed through a stormy belt of westerlies on its journey home.

It is the sixth time for the Xuelong (Snow Dragon) icebreaker to safely sail through the westerlies during its entire voyage, which set a new sailing record, said Captain Wang Jianzhong.

When sailing across the westerlies, Xuelong was violently swayed by ocean waves caused by three cyclones, he said.

The weather would gradually turn better as the team sailed off the storm belt and the boat would make a stop at Fremantle, Australia on March 18 for final supplies, he said.

The Chinese expedition team crossed the westerlies six times in its six-month voyage. The team conducted research in Changcheng and Zhongshan stations and delivered supplies between Melbourne, Australia, and Zhongshan station.

Setting out from Shanghai on October 11, 2009, the Chinese expedition team completed all of its scientific research and logistical tasks and embarked on its home journey March 5.