Pressemitteilung der illbruck Challenge am 13. Tag der 5. Etappe des Volvo
Ocean Race
21. März 2002
Hinter der„illbruck“ aufgereiht wie an der Schnur
Keine Positionsänderungen in den vergangenen 24 Stunden / Noch gut 1.500
Seemeilen
Miami – Aufgereiht wie an der Schnur folgen die Hochseeyachten auf der
fünften Etappe des Volvo Ocean Race der führenden „illbruck“ (Leverkusen).
Ohne nennenswerte Kursabweichungen oder seitlichen Versatz segeln die
sieben Gegner derzeit dem grün-weißen Maß aller Dinge bei der Regatta rund
um die Welt auf einer Linie hinterher. 15 Seemeilen betrug dessen
Vorsprung am Donnerstag Morgen vor der „Assa Abloy“ (Schweden) und 17 vor
der „Tyco“ (Bermudas). Das klingt beruhigend, ist jedoch bei den
derzeitigen Geschwindigkeiten der Hightech-Boote nicht viel mehr als eine
Stunde. Deshalb müssen Skipper John Kostecki und seine internationale Crew
auf den verbleibenden rund 1.500 Seemeilen bis zum Ziel in Miami/Florida
hellwach bleiben, um den vierten Einzelsieg unter Dach und Fach zu
bringen. Die Führung in der Gesamtwertung wird das deutsche Boot in jedem
Fall verteidigen und höchstwahrscheinlich sogar ausbauen, da die
zweitplazierte „Amer Sports One“ (Finnland/Italien) derzeit 149nm zurück
hinter der „SEB“ (Schweden/122) nur Fünfter ist.
„Noch ist das Bungee-Seil, das uns drei zusammenhält, nicht durchtrennt“,
warnte Wachführer Mark „Crusty“ Christensen von Bord der „illbruck“, „wir
haben es nur etwas weiter gedehnt. Auch der Skipper schätzt den Dreikampf
„bis ins Ziel noch völlig offen“ ein. Dagegen scheint der hintere Teil des
Felds die Medaillenplätze schon abschreiben zu müssen. Die „News Corp“
(Australien), lange Zeit Zweiter der Gesamtwertung, jedoch nach einem
Ruderbruch in der vorigen Etappe auf Rang vier zurückgefallen, ist 173
Seemeilen hinter der Spitze Sechster. Die Frauen der „Amer Sports Too“
kämpfen 187 sm zurück, jedoch 41 sm vor der „djuice“ (Norwegen) hart um
Platz sieben, um die rote Laterne erstmals nicht „nur“ durch den Ausfall
eines anderen Boots abzugeben.
Noch rund 400 Seemeilen fehlte dem Spitzentrio am Donnerstag bis zu den
Karibischen Inseln. Bei weiterhin vorhergesagten konstanten 18 Knoten Wind
dürften das weltweit wohl beliebteste Segelrevier am Freitag erreicht
sein. Berbuda werden sie dicht passieren und auch Antigua. Dort ist ein
Rendevouz mit dem Kamerateam und Fotografen der Regatta geplant, die
aktuelle Aufnahmen von den Weltumseglern aus der Luft und vom Begleitboot
aus anbieten wollen. An Bord halten die Mannschaften selbst fest, was
Ungewöhnliches oder Alltägliches passiert. Skurrilste Filmstars sind
derzeit fliegende Fische, die nicht nur gegen die Bordwand klatschen,
sondern manchem Steuermann auch glatt vor die Stirn.
Southampton, England, March 21, 2002 Day 13
Scientific Evidence Reveals Suicidal Exocoetidae
The crews of the boats sailing towards Miami in leg five of the Volvo
Ocean Race have been studying the habits of Exocoetidae – that’s flying
fish to you and me, while the racing continues day in, day out.
What have the antics of suicidal flying fish got do with the Volvo Ocean
Race? Well, they are harassing boats and sailors in the fleet.
Flying Fish, the common name for members of the Exocoetidae, are a family
of carnivorous fish of warmer seas. They average seven to 12 in. (17.5–30
cm) in length and have pectoral fins that compare in size with the wings
of birds. They do not fly to catch insects as flying fish are largely
oceanic and flying insects are rare over the open sea. It has been
suggested that their flights (which are actually glides because flying
fish do not flap their “wings”) are energy-saving but this is unlikely as
the vigorous takeoffs are produced by white, anaerobic muscle beating the
tail at a rate of 50 to 70 beats per second.
Flying fish generally do not actually fly, but glide on their outstretched
fins for distances of up to 0.4 km. Their velocity of up to 48 km per hour
builds as they approach the water's surface until they launch themselves
into the air, vibrating their specially adapted tail fins in order to taxi
along the surface.
The usual explanation for flight in flying fish is to escape predation,
particularly from fast-swimming dolphin-fish.
Our racing crews can now share their experience to verify scientific
knowledge:
“Quickly into almost nudity, a rope around the waist and off I went, only
to feel the rope go tight halfway to the sail, which was getting rather
close to sinking. Then, halfway between the boat and the sail, in
pitch-black darkness, the melody of JAWS came into my head. Du dah du dah
du dah,” wrote Stig Westergaard from djuice, suddenly afraid that a
predator shark was nipping at his heels. Unfortunately it wasn’t reported
how many flying fish left the water while Stig was swimming.
Flying fish have corneas with flat facets, so they can see in both air and
water. There is some evidence to suggest that they can choose landing
sites.
“The normal problem with these winged wonders from the deep is, that prior
to take off it seems that they don't do very good pre-flight checks and
often find a V.O.60 or more specifically a crewmember on a V.O.60 in their
flight path…… one went completely unnoticed in a sail bag, which was right
at the back of the boat to help trim the stern down in the fast reaching
conditions, after landing,“ reported Steve Hayles from Tyco.
However, some scientific assumptions about the Exocoetidae couldn’t be
proven by the brave sailors, particularly the notion that the fish fly
from food-poor to food-rich areas. The books say that convincing evidence
of this is lacking.
“Yesterday, we were doing some power reaching, where the airflow on the
windward side of the hull keeps the flying fish airborne to an altitude of
up to three meters. Nocka [Anthony Nossiter], who was helming, suddenly
screams up. We think it is some Australian Zen thing. No, he got hit dead
centre on the forehead,” wrote a terrified Stig Westergaard.
There seems to be little doubt that escape from predators is the major
purpose of flight, and this is why so many fly away from ships and boats
which they perceive to be threatening. Or is it maybe the other way round,
as experience by SEB? “Flying fish are also joining the party, with one of
our helmsmen, Magnus Woxen, copping a few in the chest last night. There
is $100 bucks on offer for anyone who grabs one mid flight, with the catch
being that you have to eat it on the spot.”
Flying fish are offering some distraction and fun as well, as Dee Smith
wrote in a message from Amer Sports One: “The most fun is dodging the
flying fish at night. Nico [Chris Nicholson] got slimed twice last night.
Sailing at 14 knots and the fish flying at eight knots the other way, can
cause a bit of pain if hit in the wrong place. “
In some instances they become a real threat to humans too. “The fact is
that this specific sports injury is not too flashy. One could loose the
eye in a wipeout, in a fight with lethal pirates or something else a
little more macho than a flying fish. Not to a flying fish,” is the common
opinion on djuice. Chris Dickson, a skipper during leg one of the last
race might share this opinion, as one hit him right in the eye and left
him with a big blue spot. However rumours said that perhaps it was not the
flying fish who was to blame for this one.
Aside from this scientific study, the positions of the boats on the
racetrack reindex unchanged since yesterday. Illbruck, ASSA ABLOY and Tyco
passed Barbados and the Windward Islands in the early hours this morning,
200 miles to the east, heading straight for Barbuda, the next waypoint on
the way to Miami. Barbuda is proximately 300 miles away.
After passing Barbuda the fast trade wind sailing could come to an end as
the wind is expected to lighten and the fleet will become slowed down. As
the wind is also expected to shift to the right it could allow the chasing
yachts SEB and Amer Sports One, News Corp, Amer Sports Too and djuice to
position themselves early to get better wind-angles to avoid for the
downwind passage towards the Bahamas.
Over the last few hours the yachts had to sheet in the sails as the wind
continuously shifted from the east-southeast to the northeast.
Westward ho! Windward Islands.
The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is now 150 nautical miles off the Windward
Islands sailing in the trade winds of approximately 20 knots.
Trade wind sailing has a tendency to be very repetitive as Gunnar Krantz
Skipper of Team SEB reported today that since midnight on the first night
of this leg from Rio de Janeiro, which was eleven days ago we have spent a
grand total of about one hour on port tack.
Progress towards Miami is good and it was pointed out today that the
fleets longest time at sea from now to the finish is likely to be only
twelve days, the thirty odd days of the previous legs is now passed and
conversations are already spiked with talk of home.
In the last 6 hours the two nearest boats to the leader have lost miles,
ASSA ABLOY lost three miles and Tyco five. The rest of the fleet have
gained on the front of the pack, SEB having the most gain of 8 nautical
miles and they are the most westerly yacht in the fleet.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 13, 2158 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 15 55.40N 059 47.24W 01312 310 13.1 315 000 +0 26 MAR 02 37
2 AART 15 38.04N 059 39.08W 01330 307 12.5 309 018 +03 26 MAR 02 27
3 TYCO 15 34.20N 059 36.08W 01335 309 12.5 312 023 +05 26 MAR 02 24
4 TSEB 14 27.12N 058 28.04W 01429 309 14.8 314 117 -08 26 MAR 02 17
5 AONE 14 04.88N 057 52.04W 01469 304 14.2 309 157 -05 27 MAR 02 26
6 NEWS 13 55.24N 057 41.80W 01483 304 15.2 327 171 -11 27 MAR 02 22
7 ATOO 13 40.52N 057 23.84W 01506 295 14.3 314 194 -03 27 MAR 02 9
8 DJCE 13 25.72N 056 47.36W 01542 305 14.4 323 230 -06 27 MAR 02 18
Southampton, England, March Day 13, 2002 1600 GMT
The battle rages on
Private battles are now the name of the game as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet
ploughs on towards the turning point at Barbuda, 230 nautical miles ahead.
Every boat is now fighting battles with her nearest rivals and these
seemingly small numbers of miles take on extra importance as the leg
progresses. ASSA ABLOY and Tyco have both taken two miles out of
illbruck’s lead whilst the B-fleet also makes gains. ASSA ABLOY and Tyco
are ready for them, but at the same time they are keeping up their barrage
of attacking moves on the race leaders illbruck.
The points scored on this leg of the race are now likely to have a
significant effect on the overall outcome of the race. Should the
finishing order reindex as it is now out on the racetrack, illbruck with a
score in the 30s will have a clear 10-point lead over her rivals. Second
place could be what the rest of the fleet will fight for as the race
returns to the extremely tidal waters of Europe. Given the current
standings, there is only one point between second and third place. If
Amer Sports One manages to over take SEB, and if ASSA ABLOY reindexs in her
current slot, then these two will be in equal second place overall. What
an exciting leg the short and strenuous leg six from Miami to Baltimore
will be.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 13, 1600 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 15 05.20N 058 45.08W 01391 304 13.3 310 000 +0 26 MAR 02 37
2 AART 14 52.20N 058 35.08W 01406 305 13.8 306 015 -03 26 MAR 02 27
3 TYCO 14 47.44N 058 35.76W 01409 307 13.6 309 018 -02 26 MAR 02 24
4 TSEB 13 31.16N 057 17.96W 01516 300 14.1 301 125 -03 26 MAR 02 17
5 AONE 13 16.92N 056 40.08W 01553 294 13.3 299 162 +03 27 MAR 02 26
6 NEWS 13 04.72N 056 24.40W 01573 298 13.8 308 182 -01 27 MAR 02 22
7 ATOO 13 04.76N 056 04.08W 01588 303 12.9 300 197 +02 27 MAR 02 9
8 DJCE 12 36.08N 055 35.32W 01627 308 12.6 310 236 +03 27 MAR 02 18
Southampton, England, March 21, 2002 1000 GMT
illbruck Leads The Chain
Illbruck, ASSA ABLOY and Tyco passed Barbados and the Windward Islands in
the early hours this morning, 200 miles to the east, heading straight for
Barbuda, the next waypoint on the way to Miami. Barbuda is proximately 300
miles away.
After passing Barbuda the fast trade wind sailing could come to an end as
the wind is expected to lighten and the fleet will become slowed down. As
the wind is also expected to shift to the right it could allow the chasing
yachts SEB and Amer Sports One, News Corp, Amer Sports Too and djuice to
position themselves early to get better wind-angles to avoid for the
downwind passage towards the Bahamas.
Over the last few hours the yachts had to sheet in the sails as the wind
continuously shifted from the east-southeast to the northeast.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 13, 0956 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 14 20.92N 057 36.80W 01470 303 13.4 306 0 +0 26 MAR 02 37
2 AART 14 05.12N 057 25.56W 01488 306 13.0 301 18 +3 26 MAR 02 27
3 TYCO 13 58.36N 057 29.08W 01490 304 13.0 303 20 +3 26 MAR 02 24
4 TSEB 12 49.28N 056 03.04W 01598 296 12.8 296 128 +6 26 MAR 02 17
5 AONE 12 45.24N 055 25.40W 01629 305 11.8 302 159 +10 27 MAR 02 26
6 NEWS 12 26.12N 055 09.60W 01653 299 12.0 307 183 +10 27 MAR 02 22
7 ATOO 12 22.56N 054 56.44W 01665 304 12.0 301 195 +8 27 MAR 02 9
8 DJCE 11 49.36N 054 35.04W 01703 306 12.7 313 233 +5 27 MAR 02 18
Southampton, England, March 21, 2002 0400 GMT
This is what life is all about!
Not much change has occurred in the fleet of the Volvo Ocean Race in the
last few hours, pretty much like the conditions on board the yachts. Dee
Smith on Amer Sports One commented that life was all about the great
conditions that they are currently sailing in. Steady temperatures,
(currently 28 degrees) and a good steady breeze now that all the yachts
are out of the doldrums and in the trade winds. Wind speeds of around 18
knots, and no fickle clouds to envelope and becalm any of the yachts for
hours on end as the doldrums have a habit of doing, a combination of which
is allowing the yachts to make good speed for Miami.
The leaders of the fleet are currently less than 400 nautical miles from
the Caribbean Islands. They will be passing close to all the islands
before heading on up to Miami, which currently lies just over 1500
nautical miles from the leaders. Once again there has been no change
amongst the fleet, but the three yachts at the rear, News Corp, Amer
Sports Too, and djuice have been making the best speeds over the last six
hours, and although they are making an impact on the yachts just ahead,
illbruck is managing to hold off and advances from her closest rivals, and
if anything has increased the distance between herself, ASSA ABLOY and
Tyco. Amer Sports One has made the most gains in the last few hours
closing the gap between herself and SEB to just 27 nautical miles. There
is still a lot to play for before the end of this leg, and we could well
see some more positions changing before too long.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 13, 0403 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 13 37.42N 056 28.41W 01548 304 12.7 311 000 +0 26 MAR 02 37
2 AART 13 20.48N 056 23.36W 01563 298 12.4 306 015 +05 26 MAR 02 27
3 TYCO 13 16.64N 056 24.24W 01565 302 12.9 308 017 -01 26 MAR 02 24
4 TSEB 12 17.28N 054 54.56W 01670 303 11.0 302 122 +11 26 MAR 02 17
5 AONE 12 06.28N 054 27.96W 01697 307 12.5 313 149 +01 27 MAR 02 26
6 NEWS 11 52.88N 054 07.20W 01721 307 13.6 318 173 -06 27 MAR 02 22
7 ATOO 11 43.56N 053 56.96W 01735 307 13.2 309 187 -02 27 MAR 02 9
8 DJCE 11 06.28N 053 34.12W 01776 309 14.1 318 228 -09 27 MAR 02 18
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