Oceanracing 2002 - Around Alone

Absender: "Aroundalone"
Empfänger: redaktion@segel.de
Datum: 25. Dec 2002 10:22

CHRISTMAS AT SEA
Alan Paris celebrates Christmas on BTC Velocity - Alan Paris photo
Bernard Stamm wishes Joyeux Noel to all from on board Bobst Group-Armor Lux from the Southern Ocean
The position of the Around Alone fleet on Christmas Day - courtesy Voyager 2020

ItÂ’s Christmas Day and the Around Alone fleet are celebrating the holiday deep in the Southern Ocean. There is not much cheer in the air, but there is much to cheer about. There are no gales blowing and the air has warmed up a little from the freezing cold temperatures of the past few days. Class 1 leader Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group Armor lux sent a nice log that summed up the feelings of most of the fleet. "For Christmas Day, weÂ’re really lucky with the weather. ItÂ’s more or less fine," he wrote. "The wind is down to 30 knots, and the temperature has risen slightly. In the boat, itÂ’s about 9 degrees, whereas yesterday it was still only 2Â°. Apart from the fact that IÂ’ll be spending Christmas away from my friends and family, I think IÂ’m privileged to be spending Christmas where I am. The view is magnificent, and when you donÂ’t have much more than what is strictly necessary for a long period, anything at all can become the worldÂ’s most beautiful gi ft. I know they hid some presents in the boat, and IÂ’ve a bag with me that isnÂ’t to be opened until the evening of the 24th. Besides, thereÂ’s a bottle of Burgundy, which I received from someone in Brest on the morning of the start. For the menu, I havenÂ’t yet sorted through the provisions, but IÂ’ve got what it takes to make a great meal. I think thereÂ’s some crab meat for the starter, then some best cooked ham with pasta and mushrooms, then a fruit salad, chocolate and coffee or tea. So there you go, I wish you all a merry Christmas, the best of health and all the best."

Bernhard Stamm hat als Erster gut Schmunzeln

Kojiro feiert auch Christmas

Alan Paris denkt an die Seinen

All of the Class 1 yachts are now past Kerguelen island with only Simone Bianchetti on Tiscali opting to go south of the island. Brad van Liew on Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America will pass abeam of Kerguelen around lunch time today as the leading Class 1 boat, with the rest of Class 2 still west of the island. Meanwhile John Dennis has arrived safely in Cape Town. For a perspective on how far from land the yachts are currently sailing, check out the map on the left. They are far from friends and family with each skipper celebrating the day in their own way. Tim Kent on Everest Horizontal took some time to compose a poem which will conclude this update, but for now please spare a thought for the 10 men and Emma as they celebrate Christmas. To all who follow the Around Alone on a daily basis, Merry Christmas from myself and the team at Clipper Ventures.

Around Alone Christmas by Tim Kent
'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the craft
Not a creature was stirring,
'Cept the skipper, quite daft

He was poking his laptop
Looking for breeze
Stirring his freeze-dried
Taking his ease

When what to his wondering eyes should appear But a jolly old elf and eight tiny reindeer "I must get some sleep" skip mumbled aloud "No way that old Santa'd be this far from the crowd"
As he lay down his head, Santa landed on deck Shrugged into his harness and clipped with a click He set up his halyard, scrambled aloft in a nick Popped in through a sheave-hole and slipped inside the stick
He landed in sails and pulled in his sack Then crept past the skipper, asleep in his rack He put up a small tree, scattered tinsel around Looked into his bag to see what he found
He brought photos of loved ones, candy and treats Warm socks, crossword puzzles, a couple more sweets A box full of cookies and books by the score, Until the nav station could handle no more.
Then back up the rig he went, popped out the top Back into his jumars, to the deck with a hop Jumped into his seat, tossed the bag in his sleigh Called out to the reindeer and bolted away
The noise woke the skipper who watched with wide eyes As Santa circled the boat high in the night skies "Did you think we'd forget you?" he shouted with cheer, "Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net

Datum: 25. Dec 2002 10:12
ASCENSIA MEANS TO ASCEND AND ACHIEVE

24th December 2002
John Dennis has retired from the Around Alone. He is due to arrive in Cape Town early this evening and toss his lines ashore at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. ItÂ’s will be a sad occasion for him, as well as for his extended family; the rest of the Around Alone fleet. When one of their own calls it quits, itÂ’s a loss for all. "IÂ’m bummed that John has decided to pull out of the race," said Brad van Liew, the current Class 2 leader. "HeÂ’s a great guy and I really enjoyed racing against him. ItÂ’s a pity that he has had to retire, but I fully understand his situation and respect his decision." BradÂ’s comments speak for the whole fleet. Sometimes it takes more courage to retire than to continue, and for making the tough decision John should be commended.
The word Ascensia means to ascend and achieve, and by most measures thatÂ’s just what John has done since announcing his entry in the race earlier this year. Some say that the hardest part of an Around Alone campaign is making the start line, and by finding a sponsor and readying the boat for the race, John beat out many other would-be Around Alone contenders. His campaign was difficult from the outset. One of the most precious commodities an offshore sailor needs is time; time to prepare a boat properly for the long and arduous voyage that lies ahead. Time to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge of sailing solo around the world. Time to prepare your family, for they that the ones who are left behind to sit, and wait, and wonder.
John Dennis never had enough time. ThatÂ’s one thing I can vouch for. Those of you who have followed this race from the beginning will know that John bought my old boat. When he and I first met we discussed the amount of time he had to prepare for the race. Long before he found his sponsor and bought the boat, his time was limited, but John is nothing if not determined and he persevered long past most realistic deadlines. When Bayer Diagnostics finally stepped up to the plate to underwrite his campaign, there was an immediate rush to prepare the boat. John hired the best in the business to help him get ready, but there is only so much that can be done in a 24-hour period. Resin and paint take time to dry no matter what the schedule. When the boat was finally launched and the 180 degree inversion test completed, John set off single-handed across the Atlantic to complete his qualifying voyage. It was his first sail on the boat. A month later he returned, this time with crew, and only just in time for the start of the race. Newport and New York were a blur of social commitments, sponsor obligations and boat preparations. When at last the start gun fired it was Bayer Ascensia that was among the first to cross the start line off Ground Zero. John was finally off around the world.
In the end it was the combination of many small things that brought his campaign to an end. There were the teething problems with the boat, which had, after all, undergone a major refit. There was the longer than expected first leg to England that did not allow much time to recover and prepare for leg 2. The storm in the Bay of Biscay set the whole of Class 2 back, but it was harder on John who weathered the storm on his own in La Coruna. And then there was the long and trying leg to South Africa. Had the time frame allowed John Dennis more time in Cape Town to rest up for Leg 3, and his shore crew more time to work on the boat, I am sure that he would still be in the race. One of the toughest parts of an Around Alone is the grueling schedule the skippers must adhere to, and in the end the compressed time frame finally took itÂ’s toll.
John will sail across the Atlantic to Brazil and hopefully rejoin the fleet in Salvador. He will no longer be an official entrant, but despite that he has much to be thankful for. The John Dennis that I met six months ago was a different man. This one is wiser, stronger and healthier than the one I met. The campaign has been good for him and he has inspired many people along the way. When itÂ’s all said and done, providing inspiration for others is about as good a gift you can give, and during this time of giving, John, with his full white beard, is a modern day Santa. We wish you well John, and your family, and thanks for being a part of this great adventure.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net