Ellen's Analyse
* The pressure is rising, in more ways than one...KINGFISHER this morning is
positioned just 50 miles to the south of PRB and still 200 miles to the west
[105 miles behind on distance to go from VS], and seems to have benefited
from more pressure to the west of the anticyclone so far. Spot speeds at
0400 show an advantage to Ellen, but since then she reports some big
fluctuations in the breeze. The easterly winds known as the Trade Winds,
that should take the fleet to the Equator and the Doldrums once more, start
just a bit further to the north. The first to touch them will stretch out a
lead once more... http://www.kingfisher-challenges.com/position/2.shtml
* Mich this morning, noting his sponsor's business, as he talks of his
diminishing lead - "For a 'construction' boat, to rebuild is not a problem.
I can build new, or renovate" [source vendeeglobe.com]. For Ellen, with
Castorama, B&Q, Brico-Depot and Renot-Depot all part of the Kingfisher group
- coupled with her famous DIY skills - maybe she can do a better job, either
way she'll be putting the hours in that is for sure!
* Behind Ellen, ACTIVE WEAR has closed to less than 200 miles again, but
most impressively SILL is just 4 miles from him - and only 262 from PRB
(over 800 just a week ago). Both SILL and ACTIVE WEAR are now approaching
the cold front which has stalled as it does at this latitude - and
interestingly these two boats that are almost in sight of each other are
sailing at very different speeds, (4 and 11 knots) indicating probably
unstable storm cloud conditions. They have to cross the dying front...
* Bernard Gallay (voila.fr) is approaching Cape Horn, and Mike Golding
(GROUP 4) is now just 300 miles from Josh Hall (GARTMORE) - an intriguing
battle is developing between the two Brits.
Ellen is concentrating...check out the latest webcam shot
http://www.kingfisher-challenges.com/uk/media/webcam.shtml
This morning feels like a new start.
It's incredible... I had a great sleep last night, and at about 0100 set
about checking kingfisher all over from head to toe. We've had little
wind - and now, thank goodness it looks like in 36 hours we might be able to
tack. [this would signify the entry in to the SE trade winds, to the north
of the St.Helena high pressure system - the 'hole' that has been blocking
the route of PRB for days now]
The wind is unsteady - but erring on the side of northerly. Its really hard
as the wind is moving all over the place, 50 degree swings in direction. Its
a constant job of looking at tacking, trimming, keeping her going. Pretty
frustrating as we need to get north to the new winds. During the night I
busied around below emptying water out of all her compartments (only a few
buckets worth) right up before her water tight bulkheads, 1 and 2!
The motion of Kingfisher is more silent than ever before..the sky was as
open as ever shrouded by a delicate veil of glittering stars.. Despite light
winds we never stopped once, and she gently trod across the smooth ocean
surface..
This morning as the sun rose the sky went pink in the west, and in the east
the striking orange glow looked like it hid a million treasures as it peeked
out from behind the scattered clouds. The clouds themselves suspended
almost as if pre-arranged in the sky. There were layers and layers of them,
and I could not help but feel that there were towns and villages hidden
among them...It really is so very beautiful..
As I stood in the cockpit I watched in wonder. My eyes began to fill with
tears as I marvelled at this intense beauty - an intense beauty which at
that second in time had only I along with the rising sun as onlookers.
ellen
xx
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