Absender: "Aroundalone"
Datum: 20. Nov 2002 18:15
CLASS 2 BOATS' BOOMERANG TACTICS
Southampton, England - 20th November. Brad van Liew, leading Around Alone Class 2 skipper on Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America just called in to say that he was enjoying record breaking speeds as he rockets towards Cape Town. In the last 24 hours he has sailed 343 miles. The wind is from the west-northwest blowing at 25-30 knots bringing perfect conditions for his Finot design. "The Raymarine autopilots are driving and I just go on deck every now and then to enjoy the fantastic sailing," Brad said. For the last 8 hours he has averaged 16 knots. If he can indextain that pace he will do a day's run of 384 miles, certainly there could be another record in the making.
His rivals to the north are also enjoying excellent sailing as they "boomerang" around the South Atlantic High, to quote Kojiro Shiraishi's phrase. Tim Kent on Everest Horizontal and Derek Hatfield on Spirit of Canada are in a moderate northwesterly breeze and are making good speed with all sails set. They appear to have dodged any light winds associated with the high pressure and for now at least look certain to cut substantial miles off their course to Cape Town.
As the boats curve their own particular groove around the high pressure system blocking their path to Cape Town, this does not make it easy to work out true rankings, DTL or DTF mileage using the theoretical 'as the crow flies' methods of calculation. Tim Kent resigns himself to focussing on the most important matter for them all: "Oh, well - it only matters who gets there first, doesn't it? I am going to keep trying to get closer to Brad and keep Derek behind me no matter what the rankings say!"
While Brad has been staring at his speedometer, our philosophical Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi on Spirit of yukoh has been gazing at the stars: "Last night I heard the news that there was going to be a Leonid meteor storm and I had even prepared the wish as is traditional with the shooting stars but noÂ…I was denied the chance to see the amazing sight. Still I did get to see a shining bright full moon that made me want to wear sunglasses - so bright I couldn't even see normal stars!! Now I think my luck is changing because for once the clouds just parted and I saw a mere glance of a shooting star!!"
Italian skipper Simone Bianchetti on Open 60 Tiscali spoke to Clipper Race Control after passing the Cape Verde islands, and is on a much more even keel these days: "I feel so good on the boat and I believe in the ocean so I hope that the bad part is history now, as I have a new vision and spirit. I am working hard not to lose miles and stay on the optimum course. The rig is okay, the Spanish guys at the Naval base did very good work on the boat, I only have to change the mast and stays. I am not pushing so hard, the objective is to reach Cape Town with the boat in good condition as there will be no time to prepare. Also, if Bernard gets into any trouble, he'll need his spare mast!"
On shore, the skippers already in port are not lazing around - case in point for Theirry Dubois as tomorrow he is given an official welcome by the Mayor of Cape Town and Amnesty International SA in the Waterfront Amphitheatre at 1300hrs local time. Sailing for childrens' rights around the world during Around Alone, Thierry will be choosing the winning design of the childrens' drawing competition in South Africa, which will then be painted on to his spinnaker. He will then be visiting many schools in the area to talk about Amnesty International's work for human rights and hopefully visiting a camp for orphaned HIV+ children.
Provisional Results, Leg 2: Class 1
1st: Bobst Group-Armor Lux finish time 09:59:45 GMT - 29 DAYS 22HRS 59 M 45S
2nd: Solidaires finish time 19:42:55 GMT - 30 DAYS 8 HRS 42 M 55S
3rd: Pindar finish time 03:27:13 GMT - 30 DAYS 16HRS 27 M 15S
4th: Hexagon finish time 02:54:12 GMT - 31 DAYS 15HRS 54 M 12S
Positions at 1400hrs GMT 20th November 2002
Class 1
Boat Lat Lon AvgBsp Avgheading DTF (nm)
1. Ocean Planet, 33 53.140 S, 14 59.570 W, 102.11 nm, 12.76 kt, 92 °T, 1657.58 nm
2. Tiscali, 10 39.160 N, 25 09.000 W, 103.76 nm, 12.98 kt, 192 °T, 4648.93 nm
Class 2
Boat Lat Lon AvgBsp Avgheading DTF (nm)
1. Tommy Hilfiger, 35 53.330 S, 14 56.400 W, 127.76 nm, 15.98 kt, 90 °T, 1639.10 nm
2. Everest Horizontal, 29 52.350 S, 22 54.050 W, 65.61 nm, 8.20 kt, 125 °T, 2110.26 nm
3. Spirit of Canada, 29 00.800 S, 23 12.760 W, 53.53 nm, 6.69 kt, 125 °T, 2138.91 nm
4. Spirit of yukoh, 24 33.140 S, 24 30.210 W, 67.41 nm, 8.42 kt, 144 °T, 2563.82 nm
5. Bayer Ascensia, 22 50.500 S, 24 55.160 W, 61.57 nm, 7.69 kt, 173 °T, 2639.29 nm
6. BTC Velocity, 22 26.350 S, 27 56.180 W, 60.66 nm, 7.58 kt, 166 °T, 2645.19 nm
Click on Cape Town Page in Race Route section on official website to find out more about Cape Town, South Africa.
Local Media Relations:
Brian Hancock - Email: great.circle@verizon.net - Cape Town Mobile No: +27 (0)823 706 225
For more information on Around Alone 2002-03:
Media Relations: Mary Ambler, Media Manager - Tel: +44 (0) 2380 237 088 - Mob: +44 (0) 7887 643 583 - Email: mambler@clipper-ventures.com
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