Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: Initially maintaining hurricane-force winds , the extratropical remnant passed near Cape Race before turning to the east-northeast , and on September 14 the winds weakened to gale force .
Simplified: At first , the storm was able to keep hurricane-force winds , as the extratropical remnant passed near Cape Race before turning to the east-northeast , and on September 14 the winds weakened to gale force .