Datum: 17. Oct 2002 10:04
headING INTO AN ATLANTIC STORM
The drama is mounting on the race course out in the Bay of Biscay as the Around Alone fleet are faced with an ominous weather system ahead and several boats are already experiencing technical problems, and two skippers are calling into port for pit-stops.
At around 12:00hrs today, 48 hours after departing from Torbay, England, Italian skipper Simone Bianchetti brought his Open 60 Tiscali to the French harbour of Brest in order to repair his autopilot systems, all of which had failed. At first, Bianchetti had tried to solve the damage by re-setting the programming sequence of the auto-pilots via telephone with specialised technicians.
After several trials, the Italian skipper was forced to take the decision to stop also due to terrible weather conditions: southwest force 8 seas with wind over 50 knots. Simone arrived very tired and spoke of his ordeal: "Reaching Cape Town at the helm for 30 consecutive days was absolutely out of question. Being here today could appear depressing but my motivation is intact, I think the race is still open. It will be important to leave as soon as possible".
At this moment, a team of technicians is on board the Open 60 checking the systems to investigate on the causes of the break down in the hope that the skipper can leave as soon as possible. In the meantime, the shore-team is fixing a series of minor damages such as two broken index sail battens and a broken stanchion.
Front-runner in Class 1 Graham Dalton on Hexagon has been experiencing problems with the sophisticated technology on board. "I have been having repeated problems with my wind instruments, which help me to navigate and control the autopilot. As when you fly, an autopilot takes the pressure off the 'pilot' to steer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the autopilot that allows us to sail single-handedly; to trim the sails, to navigate, cook, even go to the toilet and sneak in a few catnaps. It also increases the safety on board, as when seas are terribly vicious, we can helm from below decks (though this does not do much for sea sickness!). In the 'old' days, autopilots consisted of a bit of rope and a good knot to hold the helm position in place. Now we are a lot more sophisticated, but at the same time, a lot more vulnerable. The autopilot is a very complex mechanism relying on computers, electric motors and hydraulic sy stems. As with fancy cars, the more gadgets you have, the more there is to go wrong. It is not unheard of to have autopilot problems, and in a race such as this one, autopilots can be key in winning and losing.
"On such a long leg, 35 to 40 days, it is important for this crucial bit of equipment to be in top form. So far, I've been able to carry out the needed repairs, and all looks to be holding together. I will be keeping a close eye on it though, as conditions look to worsen over the weekend as another low-pressure system swoops in over us."
In fact the weather system moving into the lower Biscay is complex. Bernard Stamm, leader of the Class 1 fleet, explains: "This low pressure is spreading right now and covers 2000 miles of ocean, bringing winds of 45 - 50 knots of wind and heavy seas. The only way round this one is by Newfoundland!"
The Class 2 skippers are all talking to each other about the imminent storm to come in the next 2 days. Alan Paris on Open 40 BTC Velocity has confirmed to the Race Office that he will be putting into La Coruna as well, however his reason is solely to avoid the predicted heavy low pressure system moving in from the Azores and with it the reported high gale force winds. "In life we all make decisions that are important, some more than others. I see no other course than the relative safety for my yacht in a harbour, riding out the storm, but having me on dry land. As my good friend Kojiro on Spirit of Yukoh says, with his limited English vocabulary, " Safety first ". I agree."
Another skipper who wishes he was on land right now is American Brad Van Liew, who still has a commanding position at the head of Class 2 on Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America. He reported in about how a solo skipper can best prepare for the worst weather: "Today is one of those knot in the stomach kinda things. We as a fleet have a heck of a next few days in store and every time I look the situation gets worse. The biggest problem with this storm is that there are very few options as to what to do about it because we have just started and have had very little time to maneuver for the correct side of the beast. In other words strong headwinds are a must for all. Today I have been cleaning house and taking care of anything I can think of to avoid problems during the gale. Chaffe avoidance, sail inspections, rig checks etc... Basically battening down the hatches. I have done everything I can think of to make sure it is not me who ha s problems and will continue to hope and pray for me and the others that we come out of this one as a complete fleet. All the best and jealous of everyone on land at the moment, Brad."
Positions at 14:00 hrs UTC 16th October
Class 1
Boat, Lat, Lon, Btspd, Hdg, DTF (nm)
1 Bobst Group Armor-Lux, 45 22.440 N 12 30.060 W 10.49 kt 229 °T 6831.29nm
2 Solidaires, 45 58.930 N 11 49.354 W 9.18 kt 222 °T 6875.69 nm
3 Hexagon, 45 15.960 N 9 09.080 W 7.71 kt 217 °T 6881.66 nm
4 Pindar, 46 06.660 N 10 30.640 W 11.67 kt 234 °T 6903.98 nm
5 Ocean Planet, 47 58.860 N 10 38.500 W 9.38 kt 257 °T 7004.99 nm
6 Tiscali, 48 22.860 N 4 29.220 W 1.43 kt 63 °T 7136.39 nm
Class 2
Boat, Lat, Lon, Btspd, Hdg, DTF (nm)
1 Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America 46 51.729 N 10 57.692 W 10.78 kt 244 °T 6938.07
2 Spirit of Canada 46 59.055 N 9 19.191 W 7.90 kt 231 °T 6971.92 nm
3 BTC Velocity, 47 13.560 N 9 42.480 W 6.52 kt 196 °T 6978.54 nm
4 Everest Horizontal, 48 14.460 N 10 08.760 W 10.21 kt 279 °T 7027.13 nm
5 Spirit of yukoh, 47 48.000 N 9 42.000 W 6.40 kt 272 °T 7010.09 nm
6 Bayer Ascensia, 47 52.000 N 7 08.760 W 5.83 kt 220 °T 7058.19 nm
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