Pressemitteilung der illbruck Challenge vom 8. Tag der 7. Etappe des Volvo
Ocean Race
HINWEISE FÜR DIE REDAKTIONEN AM ENDE
5. Mai 2002
„illbruck“ fliegt über den Atlantik
Weiter Führung vor „Tyco“ und „Assa Abloy“ / Ankunft zwischen Mittwoch und
Donnerstag
La Rochelle – Starke bis stürmische Südwestwinde trieben die Hochseesegler
beim Volvo Ocean Race am Wochenende erneut mit rekordverdächtigen
Geschwindigkeiten über den Atlantik. Eine Woche nach dem Start in
Annapolis hatte die führende Leverkusener Yacht „illbruck“ am Sonntag
Mittag bereits mehr als zwei Drittel der 3.400 Seemeilen langen Strecke
nach La Rochelle/Frankreich zurückgelegt. Dadurch wird nun bereits mit
einem Zieleinlauf am Mittwoch oder Donnerstag gerechnet, zwei bis drei
Tage früher als geplant. Indes blieben die härtesten Verfolger dran: „Tyco
“ (Bermudas) übernahm 24 Seemeilen hinter dem deutschen Boot Platz zwei
vor der „Assa Abloy“ (Schweden/26 sm).
„Bis dato ist es schlicht eine unglaubliche Etappe“, schrieb Steuermann
und Segeltrimmer Ray Davies von Bord der „illbruck“, „mit dem Weltrekord
im Logbuch geht es weiter unter Volldampf Frankreich entgegen. 70 Prozent
des Tages und der Nacht segeln wir am absoluten Limit von Segeln und Rigg,
weil der Wind selten mal nachlässt.“ Durch den warmen Golfstrom seien die
Bedingungen an Bord zwar ausgesprochen nass, aber nicht so kalt wie im
Southern Ocean auf der zweiten und vierten Etappe. Davies: „Solange wir
das Boot nicht auseinanderbrechen, scheint uns die starke Brise zu liegen.
“
Bislang haben die Gegner noch keine Überholmöglichkeit gesehen. Bestes
Beispiel ist die „Assa Abloy“, sieben Punkte hinter der „illbruck“ zweite
der Gesamtwertung, fährt fast exakt im Kielwasser von Skipper John
Kostecki und seiner Mannschaft hinterher, ohne jedoch durch Bootshandling
oder Trimm nennenswerte Vorteile zu haben. Im Gegenteil: So der Wind nicht
zuerst an der Spitze des Felds abnahm, blieb die „illbruck“ zu jeder Zeit
der Pacemaker. Auch die „Tyco“ auf einen luvwärtigeren Kurs südlich hinter
Kostecki & Co. kann bisher höchstens mithalten, aber den Rückstand nicht
verringern.
Die Entscheidung dürfte jedoch auf den angebrochenen letzten tausend
Seemeilen fallen, weil das derzeit stationäre Azoren-Hoch mitten auf dem
Weg nach La Rochelle liegt. „Nördlich um die Hochdruckzone herum sollte es
keine wirkliche Flaute mehr geben“, meint illbruck Challenge-Meteorologe
Chris Bedford, „die Frage heißt nur, wie scharf die Ecke abgekürzt werden
kann.“ Denn je näher der Kurs an den Kern des Hochs geführt wird, desto
kürzer wird zwar die Strecke, aber desto leichter wird der Wind werden.
Alles auf eine Karte scheint die schwedische „SEB“ zu setzen. Nachdem sie
am Sonnabend noch ein Mann-über-Bord-Manöver fahren musste, als ein
Crewmitglied von einer Welle über Bord gespült worden war, brach Skipper
Gunnar Krantz später vom naheliegenden Kurs um das Hoch herum nach Süden
aus und versucht sein Glück auf direkten Weg nach La Rochelle. Nachdem die
„SEB“ nur noch theoretische Chancen auf den Gesamtsieg hat und 53
Seemeilen hinter der „illbruck“ auf Platz vier lag, rätseln die
Konkurrenten, ob die riskante Kursänderung aus Überzeugung kam oder als
letzte Chance gesehen wird.
Doch das Feld liegt insgesamt noch dicht zusammen, so dass noch keine
Vorentscheidung gefallen ist. Außer der Frauen-Crew der „Amer Sports Too“
(Finnland/Italien), die nach einen Mastbruch nach Halifax/Kanada
geschleppt wurde und am Montag per Frachter nach Europa verbracht wird,
sind alle Yachten noch im Rennen. Selbst die norwegische „djuice“ liegt
„nur“ 74 Seemeilen zurück auf Rang sieben – bei den derzeitigen
Bootsgeschwindigkeiten keine fünf Stunden. Ein geplatzter Spinnaker oder
ein anderes misslungenes Manöver kann schnell die eine oder andere Stunde
Zeit kosten. „Unser Segelmacher Nitro (Noel Drennan) ist unter Deck fast
ununterbrochen am Nähen“, berichtete „illbruck“-Wachführer Stuart
Bannatyne, „ohne ihn wären wir nicht so weit vorne.“
Southampton, England, May 5th, 2002 2200 GMT
It’s All in the Angle
Illbruck indextains a 20 mile lead over the 2nd boat, Tyco, in the 7th leg
of the Volvo Ocean Race. The leading boats are now less than 1,000 miles
from La Rochelle, and whilst their average speed has dropped by a couple
of knots in the past 6 hours, they are still heading for an early finish,
possibly Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Most boats have opted to make significant northings on their approach to
La Rochelle, in anticipation of the strong north easterly winds forecast
for the latter stages of the leg. This will give them a much more
favourable wind angle as they run in to the French coast. SEB, however,
has selected a more southerly course, over 100 miles below the pack,
which, if indextained, will give her an uncomfortable beat towards the
finishing line.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 8, 2204 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 47 52.92N 023 56.00W 931 88 12.7 373 0 0 09/05/02 00:18 49
2 TYCO 47 47.08N 024 26.04W 951 96 12.9 386 20 0 09/05/02 01:57 34
3 AART 48 00.92N 024 31.60W 954 92 12.7 381 23 0 09/05/02 02:11 40
4 NEWS 48 02.48N 025 19.32W 986 84 13.5 390 55 -5 09/05/02 04:45 36
5 TSEB 46 08.76N 025 13.64W 993 86 12.1 366 62 +4 09/05/02 05:18 25
6 AONE 48 03.60N 025 35.48W 997 84 13.5 388 66 -6 09/05/02 05:35 35
7 DJCE 47 28.48N 025 48.12W 1008 88 13 381 77 -1 09/05/02 06:26 23
8 ATOO 44 38.96N 063 34.24W - - - - - - - -
Southampton, England, May 5, 2002 1600 GMT
Change Ahead
Over the last six hours illbruck has started to correct her course and has
made some miles back to the south, crossing in front of rivals ASSA ABLOY
and Tyco, who are the northerly yachts now. While Tyco, ASSA ABLOY and
News Corp have all gained a few miles on illbruck, SEB had lost six miles
and has come within reach of News Corp just two miles behind. SEB
shouldn't be a major concern for illbruck as they are 20 points ahead in
the overall standings.
Opening a big leverage in an ocean race is a risky thing as SEB already
experienced in leg one when they skirted the African coast.
The wind has started to ease, which is the first sign of the approaching
high-pressure ridge lying in the path of the fleet. Djuice is slowly
losing ground, as is Amer Sports One just six miles in front. A second
place for Tyco, with News Corp in fifth and Amer Sports One in sixth,
would bring them back into contention for the third podium place overall.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 8, 1554 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 47 50.80N 025 48.88W 1007 95 14.6 407 0 0 09/05/02 00:23 49
2 TYCO 47 55.00N 026 20.20W 1027 84 14.9 426 20 -4 09/05/02 02:05 34
3 AART 48 03.68N 026 24.52W 1030 86 14.7 420 23 -3 09/05/02 02:16 40
4 TSEB 46 03.96N 026 57.96W 1065 79 13.3 401 58 +6 09/05/02 05:07 26
5 NEWS 47 53.68N 027 18.88W 1067 79 15 429 60 -3 09/05/02 05:13 35
6 AONE 47 54.56N 027 37.44W 1079 74 14.4 426 72 +3 09/05/02 06:03 35
7 DJCE 47 25.88N 027 42.32W 1085 77 13.7 420 78 +4 09/05/02 06:40 23
8 ATOO 44 38.96N 063 34.24W 4512 0 0 152 3505 +85 No Data 10
Southampton, England, May 5, 2002 Day 8
SEB On A Flyer
Yesterday evening SEB decided to break away from the fleet on a more
southerly route than the rest. Checking the great circle routes from the
point where the routes parted reveal, that SEB is the only yacht to stay
on the great circle, which is the shortest distance to La Rochelle, while
the index pack, led by illbruck goes north.
ASSA ABLOY’s, Tyco’s and News Corp’s navigators have been discussing this
option in their emails as cutting the corners of the Azores high and were
curious, whether anybody will dare to go this way. Until now SEB had to
accept setbacks, losing more miles then anybody else due to less boat
speed. Marcel von Triest, SEB’s navigator must be certain that these
losses can be outweighed at a later stage when the weather will be getting
lighter. The danger with this approach is becoming trapped under the
Azores high-pressure system.
Mark Rudiger, ASSA ABLOY’s navigator is still uncertain about when to go
straight east as with every hour they are get further north. They have
already passed La Rochelle’s latitude. From on board he wrote: “The next
big test of the nerves looks to be when to make the break for the ridge we
have to cross and negotiating light winds with left over chop. Then to set
up for the approach, and not get caught too low of the low looking to set
up over Spain.”
The index pack of the fleet with illbruck leading in front of ASSA ABLOY
and Tyco chooses to stay closer to the low-pressure system that is on the
way to Iceland. Matt Humphries from News Corp is concerned about the front
that is chasing them: “Up until a few hours ago we were expecting the cold
front from this depression we are travelling in to cross the fleet which
would have made the rich get richer as we would have been left in the
lighter northwesterlies first, but now that is not the case as the front
slows down and stalls.”
The timing of SEB’s move is interesting; by changing course soon after the
position report without the rest of the fleet knowing about the move to
gain an advantage. Did the rest of the fleet react to this move, or were
they going to flatten out their courses this morning anyway? Probably a
bit of both, but with SEB out of the running for overall glory the leg
position makes little difference in the overall results. They are racing
for leg prizes so a flyer is worth the risk.
The Azores high is still sitting over the islands with a ridge towards the
UK. With the axis of the ridge aligned southwest to northeast the more
southerly yachts will slow down and hit it first; however they are likely
to break through first into the northerly winds on the other side. Once
into the northerly wind it will veer to the northeast then possibly east
putting the advantage with a better wind angle to the northerly yachts.
A dramatic incident occurred yesterday on board SEB, when the whole yacht
was submerged as the yacht shot through a wave. Crewman Glen Kessels was
washed off the winch pedestal, only to be caught by the steering wheel.
Not really designed for this purpose, the wheel gave way and broke. Gurra
Krantz’ email gives a lively account about the situation on board: “A bit
hairy when the gusts are coming in at 43 knots. We had one sensational
wave when we buried the whole boat and Glen Kessels got washed off the
grinding pedestal. The result of this is that we have only half the
steering wheel on the port side. Glen’s body knocked the other half off
when cockpit surfing towards the stern. Luckily just a few bruises and
very wet was the price for that ride. The steering wheel looks like one of
these airplane steering wheels that is only half a circle.”
The strong winds of the last days have knocked the estimated arrival time
for La Rochelle back once again. Wednesday night or Thursday is looking
very likely right now. On board ASSA ABLOY this possibility has been
discussed even before that start, Mark Rudiger wrote: “At our last crew
meeting the night before the start, I gave an optimistic 11 days, 22 hours
elapsed time ETA for this leg. Magnus said “Impossible, you are crazy!”
Now with just over 1300 miles to go, we have 118 hours to make that
deadline or an 11-knot average. It’s true, I am crazy, but so are these
boats and the drivers, so I think we can do it. It all comes down to how
fast we can cross this ridge, and how friendly or unfriendly the low
coming in will be.”
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 8, 0956 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 47 58.68N 027 57.20W 1092 79 18.6 443 0 0 09/05/02 01:17 49
2 TYCO 47 46.04N 028 31.76W 1116 73 18.1 454 24 +4 09/05/02 03:12 34
3 AART 47 56.84N 028 35.56W 1118 74 18 452 26 +5 09/05/02 03:20 40
4 TSEB 45 48.80N 028 49.28W 1144 85 16.9 434 52 +10 09/05/02 05:30 26
5 NEWS 47 37.40N 029 29.36W 1155 69 18.9 462 63 0 09/05/02 06:22 35
6 AONE 47 31.96N 029 36.68W 1161 68 18.9 463 69 +1 09/05/02 06:48 35
7 DJCE 47 07.44N 029 39.60W 1166 68 18.5 461 74 +3 09/05/02 07:12 23
8 ATOO 44 38.96N 063 34.24W 4512 0 0 152 3420 +110 No Data 10
An Abundance of Wind and Water
Sailing in 28 – 35 knots of wind with masthead spinnaker, staysail and
full index sail is not for the faint hearted. As reported from Team SEB at
midnight, it is a ‘bit hairy’ when the gusts are coming in at 43 knots.
All the fleet have made miles on the leader Illbruck in the last six
hours. Most miles made to the leader are by Tyco who not only gained
fourteen but are now standing in second place, one mile ahead of ASSA
ABLOY. SEB are the most southerly yacht in the fleet and gained 13 miles
on the front of the pack.
With some 1200 nautical miles to go still to La Rochelle everyone and
everything on board the yachts is wet, cold and smelly. Most crew members
are already looking forward to a hot bath, clean sweet smelling clothes
and some fine French cuisine.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 8, 0358 GMT
PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
1 ILBK 47 37.24N 030 39.32W 1202 65 17.1 457 0 0 09/05/02 04:09 49
2 TYCO 47 13.80N 031 04.04W 1222 69 19.2 466 20 -14 09/05/02 05:43 34
3 AART 47 27.40N 031 09.00W 1223 65 18.7 462 21 -10 09/05/02 05:50 40
4 TSEB 45 40.08N 031 13.40W 1244 83 18.5 447 42 -13 09/05/02 07:33 26
5 NEWS 46 56.68N 032 03.96W 1265 55 18.5 466 63 -3 09/05/02 09:08 35
6 AONE 46 48.80N 032 10.20W 1270 62 18.3 466 68 -7 09/05/02 09:35 35
7 DJCE 46 26.68N 032 09.12W 1273 63 18.9 460 71 -11 09/05/02 09:50 23
8 ATOO 44 38.96N 063 34.24W 4512 0 0 152 3310 +97 No Data 10
|
