Tuesday 18th December 2007
Press Release 24
Solo round the world record attempt aboard a multihull - Day 1
‘LIGHTNING STRIKE’ THIS MORNING, GALES TONIGHT
Less than 24 hours after leaving Ushant, the maxi-trimaran Sodeb’O has already
left Cape Finisterre in its wake and is currently skirting around a depression
to the West of Portugal. At 1530 hours UTC, the trimaran had covered over 400
miles, at an average speed of 21.9 knots. The weather has kept its promise.
After a bracing night and an unscheduled ‘lightning strike’ at dawn, Thomas
Coville is preparing to tackle 45-50 knots of wind in the coming hours, with
waves of 5 to 6 metres.
His voice was clear from the sea. The clock has been ticking since 18h43’21’’UTC
last night and the skipper of Sodeb’O is already settled into the skin of a solo
sailor: “after the line, my head felt like it was in a vice with all the emotion
of the start. My manœuvres weren’t very brilliant, but I quickly entered 'my'
world and you really have to. You have to be in the game straightaway, otherwise
you can soon make a mistake."
Lightning strikes the mast
Despite the demands of the weather window chosen by Thomas and his team, the 105
foot trimaran has traced a perfect diagonal through the Bay of Biscay, in an
ENE’ly wind, oscillating between 17 and 31 knots. Added to the short seas and
the shipping, the skipper hasn’t slept and most importantly got a massive shock
at daybreak: “around 05h30 UTC this morning, we passed under a big cluster of
clouds with 45 knots of wind in the squall and the head of the mast was struck
by lightning! It 'scorched' the mast wand but a fuse protected the electronics
and the instruments. I can’t understand why but it could have been a lot worse.
I will climb up and change the mast wand as soon as conditions allow.”
Hand to hand combat in view
A calm spell enabled Thomas to sleep for the first time this afternoon and
prepare for the approach of a centre of depression, which he is rounding off the
Portuguese coast. The wind may gust to 50 knots, with a gybe necessary in the
middle of the night: “the temperature has risen to 14 degrees, so it’s more
pleasant now. I’m currently charging the onboard batteries. I'm going to sleep
again this afternoon and my meal for this evening is already prepared. From the
start of this record, we knew we'd have two difficult nights ahead of us before
finding a more classic weather situation again. This will influence a number of
things on the next stage of the course.”
Despite this ‘harsh’ introduction, the skipper is “happy aboard this boat, which
never comes to a standstill in a wave, instead passing effortlessly through the
water in a movement which is always very beautiful to see. It makes me feel
really serene and confident, even with a lot of sail aloft.”
WEATHER: a depression in sight as the boat exits the Bay of Biscay
After a lively night with numerous squalls of over 40 knots and short seas, the
trimaran is continuing to cross the Bay of Biscay at high speed. Ahead of
Sodeb'O’s bows, a depression is in the process of filling in off Portugal,
generating winds of 30/35 knots with gusts reaching 45/50 knots. Thomas
Coville’s strategy is to round to the North of this depression and thus remain
in downwind conditions and maintain high speeds. In order to achieve this he
will have to gybe – turn with the wind on the tail – midway through tonight. The
motorway –the sea- remains extremely pitted with 5 to 6 metre troughs. Richard
Silvani - Météo France -
Discover the positions, the cartography and the latest on the record on the
website www.sodebo-voile.com
PRESS CONTACTS / CHAMPS.MEDIAS:
CHAMPS.MEDIAS:
Corine Renié-Péretié: +33(0)6 07 48 17 51
Mathilde Mermod: +33(0)6 22 93 36 81
Julia Huvé: +33(0)6 63 28 81 48
Email: sodebo@champsmedias.fr
Rights free photos and video images available on request
|
