[March 10, 2001 - 7:45:11 PM]
BIANCHETTI 12TH & FIRST ITALIAN HOME
Simone Bianchetti (Aquarelle.com) crossed the finish line of
the Vendée Globe at 1739hrs French time. He has achieved
his solo, non-stop circumnavigation in 121 days, 1 hour and
28 minutes, and finished in 12th place in the Vendée Globe
2000/1. Simone has also become the first Italian skipper to
achieve a solo, non-stop around the world yacht race. This was
his first, but the boat’s fifth circumnavigation.
The fog was settling offshore and the day drawing in as the
support boats went out to look for Simone’s green and white
Open 60, ‘Aquarelle.com’ on the horizon. Finally she appeared
out of the mist under staysail and 1 reef gliding over the
Atlantic swell at 9 knots, her skipper still tucked inside the
cabin and unaware of the swarm of boats arriving to motor
alongside for the final 2 miles.
Bianchetti popped up out of his cabin, his traditional navy
sailor’s cap cocked to one side, unshaven, weather beaten but
evidently happy. Once through the line the shouts and cheers
from his Italian compatriots rose loud and clear. Simone
himself sailed the boat right into the harbour entrance, where
he was welcomed by thousands more people lining the walls 5
deep and cheering in admiration of the Italian skipper.
In the Press Conference, Simone was asked what the hardest
thing was in the race: "Finding the budget!" came the jovial
reply. Would he do the Vendée Globe again? "Yes," he replied
without hesitation, "but with a faster, more modern boat next
time." Philippe Monnet, the owner and previous skipper of
Aquarelle.com, was there to welcome Simone and gave his
vote of confidence to the Italian skipper for bringing his boat
back in such good condition.
[March 10, 2001 - 5:48:50 PM]
Simone Bianchetti (Aquarelle.com) crossed the finish line of
the Vendée Globe at 1739hrs French time. He has achieved
his solo, non-stop circumnavigation in 121 days, 1 hour and
28 minutes, and finished in 12th place in the Vendée Globe
2000/1 Simone has also become the first Italian skipper to
achieve a solo, non-stop around the world yacht race.
[March 10, 2001 - 12:32:19 PM]
Yves Parlier (Aquitaine Innovations) : "My ETA. I’ve even
worked out the tide times. I think I’ll arrive on Saturday
morning."
"I’m sailing in a steady SW breeze under staysail and 2 reefs
in the index, I’ve furled the genoa as I wanted to work on it.
I’m making good progress, waiting for the wind to change so I
can gybe onto port and climb North a little. The wind should
stay from the West until the finish in theory.
"My ETA. I’ve even worked out the tide times. I think I’ll arrive
on Saturday morning (ED: the channel will be open between
0700 and 1300hrs French time) if the weather files are right
and I don’t have any technical problems. But you know it’s not
like I’m on the fast train, at the very least I know I’ll be
coming home. I was hesitating, thinking about setting off
again, but my shore team reasoned with me and my wife gave
me an ultimatum so I’ll coming in.
"According to the specialists, you can still fish going at 15
knots, but I don’t know how they can do it as I get above 10
knots and my line doesn’t hold – so I’ve made one reinforced
with plenty of vectran. But don’t panic, I’ll have some seaweed
left, I’d hate to deprive you of the chance to taste the stuff.
"In terms of morale, I sensed the finish line as soon as I
turned right after the Azores anticyclone. Life is great, I’m
"In terms of morale, I sensed the finish line as soon as I
turned right after the Azores anticyclone. Life is great, I’m
thinking about my future, the next project and my new boat.
Aquitaine will be up for sale, and I won’t race her again myself
unless the new owner doesn’t want to do the Jacques Vabre.
"I’m a little anxious for the finish, these are my last moments
of serenity and peacefulness and I am loving every minute.
The boat is happy under her jury rig, she is a little restless, I
hope she is not too unhappy from our adventure. This boat
was designed for the Vendée Globe and I wanted to give her
the victory. I hope that her next owner will bring her to victory.
I’d help out if necessary, after all I feel like I’m her father,
and I’d love to see her win even if I’m not there.
"Dr Chauve is a little nervous about my proposed arrival meal,
he wants me to eat something else like spaghetti or cheese
beforehand, and I am honestly in agreement with him."
[March 10, 2001 - 11:22:11 AM]
Pasquale de Gregorio (Wind) daily log
03/10 16.05S-035.436W 03:33 G
"Today has been another so so day, battling in light NE airs
and heading barely over 0 degrees. Actually, we have made
little progress considering the light upwind conditions and the
reduced indexsail we are forced to sail with due to our
emergency rig. In light airs the tack angle between one tack
and another increases, plus the indexsail so reduced (only 3rd
reef) doesn’t help certainly to tight the wind. The boat
becomes leehelm and the helm is permanently down making
the rudders act like a brake slowing down the boat. In the last
6 days we have averaged 60 miles per day. What about that?
Lets just hope the wind won’t turn N-NE making us tack once
more toward land."
Source: Oriana Ubaldi, Wind |
