The latest daily news from Ellen to Dr Krumnacker
Segel.de
* Tough times onboard Kingfisher, as Ellen struggles mentally and physically
in this final test in the approaches to the famous Cape Horn.
* PRB skippered by Michel Desjoyeaux was the first solo skipper to race past
Cape Horn in the 21st Century...passing the famous landmark at 1807 GMT, on
his 63rd day at sea. He has a 3 day 18 hour lead over Auguin's record
established in the last race 4 years ago. Auguin had a 2000 mile lead at
this point in the last race.
* In the previous three races, the skipper first past Cape Horn has won the
race - even with the 7000 tough miles back up the Atlantic. But then not all
the skippers in this race are good at sticking with convention...its not
over until its over!
* As Kingfisher battles ahead of the front, SILL and ACTIVE WEAR have
naturally started reeling the miles back in, with Thiercelin polled at 16
knots this morning, the fastest in the fleet.
* THANKS FOR ALL THE MESSAGES TO ELLEN - you must know that Ellen gets a
good number of them every day, and it really keeps her going...we've now
received over 10,000 since the race started...
Check out the depression that Ellen is trying to negotiate with to sneak
around the Cape Horn on Virtual Spectator -
http://www.kingfisher-challenges.com/position/2.shtml
NOT HAPPY : ELLEN DIRECT THIS MORNING
On Realplayer http://64.23.31.209/clients/kf/latesta_uk.ram
Or download http://64.23.31.215/cgi-bin/ftp/1/1101a_uk.mp3
I just need to go to sleep. I tried. I can't. I haven't slept much in the
past 24 hours. Wind all over the place, and despite getting into sleeping
bag - I can't sleep. Back in oilskins once again. Wind now coming from 070
at 27-30kn. The lack of downwind sail really pushed me further south than I
wanted, and more than that I am really worried that I am going to need it to
get round the Horn.
Motion horrid, boat slamming - I am at 45 apparent and am trying to leave
forward ballast out so as not to load up indexsail too much. Speed is down to
11kn, as I try to keep North as I can.
Hard going.
Will be a long wait for front, as it runs NE-SW. Big risk that I'll not
even make it above centre, and will be beaten by it as it moves SE. hope
not.
QuickScat images show that the wind behind front is maybe less than 20knots.
We're in deep trouble if this is the case, as cannot sail deep enough to
make Cape Horn. It will be a frustrating shambles.
ellen
SAIL INVENTORY : Kingfisher started the race with indexsail, Solent and Genoa
all permanently attached to the rig. Staysail, Gennaker, 2 Code 5s and 2
Spinnakers all stowed and hoisted as required. The sail graveyard has in it
both Code 5s, 1 spinnaker and a gennaker thats hanging on to its last
breath...and will relive if Ellen has anything to do with it. The leg from
Cape Horn home is in theory 65% close-hauled or wind conditions such that
Staysail, Solent or Genoa will be the choice of sail, after which its the
Gennaker - a significant but not dire percentage. Its certainly not over,
despite the loss of the gennaker being a severe blow to Ellen.
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