Absender: "Aroundalone"
Empfänger: redaktion@segel.de
Datum: 28. Dec 2002 10:31
BIG STORM APPROACHING
There is big wind coming and the Around Alone sailors are bracing for the second storm of their Southern Ocean crossing. They have been watching the system develop for a few days and it looks likely to pack a real punch. The center of the low has a barometric reading of 972 millibars with strong winds rotating around a tight center. With the pressure that low itÂ’s certain to be quick and violent as it passes the fleet. The center of the low is located just south of the Kerguelen Islands and it is tracking slightly south of east. If the system continues as forecast it will pass south of all the yacht with Pindar and Tiscali feeling the strongest winds and quickest shift in direction. Strong north northwesterly winds will try and force these two boats south, but they will have to suck it up and hold steady on their course otherwise they run the risk of having the low pass directly over the top of them, or even worse, to the north w here they will experience headwinds.
As the storm approaches all the yachts will get 40 to 45 knots from the northeast with squalls on the leading edge bringing higher gusts. At the back of the fleet Alan Paris on BTC Velocity is already experiencing some of the brunt of the gale and he is quite far north of the center. His message to race operations was short and to the point. "Hi guys," he wrote. "Its ugly out here. Top wind speed 52 knots. Averaging 40 for past 12 hours. Sea state also ugly. Barometer has rocketed up to 1006 from 992 in the last 12 hours. Should get better soon??" The rising barometer is a sign that the worst of it is over for Paris, but until he see a change in wind direction he will not be out of the woods. He is still experiencing winds from the northwest. Once he is clear of the big breeze the wind should shift to the southwest signaling that he is on the backside of the low. To the east of BTC Velocity, Brad van Liew on Tommy Hilf iger Freedom America was waiting for the wind. "All OK on board," he wrote. "The wind is still northerly at 20kts but it is dropping. The sea temp is 13C and the sky foggy." In a satellite call to the boat Brad confirmed that he was readying the boat for the expected weather. "I have stowed everything and generally prepared the boat for a few days of strong conditions. The good news is that the wind will at least be from a good direction and we can expect to make some decent miles over the next few days." ItÂ’s typical Southern Ocean weather and not unexpected, but it does give the sailors pause as they watch the track of the low approach like a unfriendly uncle. We will keep you posted as the fleet deals with this storm.
Postscript - Alan Paris on BTC Velocity just checked in with a storm update. here is his email:
"Well its here. The low peaked overnight at 992 mb, ( that's low ) and has now raced back up to 1010 and still rising. The sea state is absolutely a mess. Waves are large and from 3 different directions with average height 20 feet. Last night was spent with three reefs and 1/2 my staysail, then down to staysail only after wrestling the index down at the mast in 45 kts.ant runner and was slapping in the water when I saw it at day break. Fed the cable back through, and it works !! way to go Raymarine. The Winch handle's, handle wastorn off leaving a stub in the winch socket !! That's it so far. Hang on everyone, it looks like this will be around for another day but slowly getting better.Only 30 kts right now but still with an ugly sea. As my wife Becky would say, "It was your choice...."
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net
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