There are many ways to reach a destination; it's not always a matter of one or the other.
There are no landforms between Easter Island and Nemo Point, just a wide expanse of ocean, but this doesn't mean Bi Fang has to sail in a straight line.
The purpose of sails is to harness various types of wind to gain a useful forward thrust.
When sailing with the wind or a side wind, one only needs to adjust the sail's direction to obtain the useful forward thrust.
When encountering a side contrary wind with a small angle, it's also possible to adjust the direction of sail to convert the side and rearward wind into side and forward force, advancing in a zigzagging course.
[Indeed]
[So, we're actually not heading in the direction of Nemo Point right now?]
[Clearly, that's the case]
[It's time to zigzag!]