Oceanracing 2002 - Around Alone

10th January 2003
SOLIDAIRES TAKES ANOTHER SECOND

It was another pitch dark, middle of the night arrival for Thierry Dubois who sailed his Joubert and Nivelt designed Open 60 Solidaires across the finish line off Tauranga this evening. The lashing gales that had made conditions rough for both Dubois and first place finisher Bernard Stamm, had eased, and even a few stars could be seen twinkling above. It was a good omen for a weary sailor who earlier today revealed the extent of the damage he had suffered during the leg. Blown sails, faulty electronic, and a missing rudder were only some of the trials and tribulations that had slowed the fiery French sailor down. "Yet again victory has eluded me and I am getting so frustrated to always be just one step behind," Dubois said referring to losing a third time to Bobst Group Armor lux. Given the troubles he had during the leg, it was a remarkable performance to finish as close to Stamm as he did.
Early in the leg Dubois took a short-lived lead when he sailed straight across the Agulhas Bank off South Africa. It was a bold move that paid off, but soon Stamm sailed through to the south and Thierry was left playing catch-up. The Southern Ocean is a place that Dubois is familiar with. He has sailed that way twice before; once during his ill fated Vendee Globe race in 1996 when he capsized, and again four years later during the 2000 Vendee. His experience should have given him an edge over Stamm, but he might have underestimated the tenacity with which Bernard sails his boat. With his equipment letting him down and the mysterious loss of his rudder, all Dubois could do was play catch-up.
Dubois also broke the previous record set four years ago by Giovanni Soldini on Fila, another indication of the speed and amazing ability of this professional sailor. His official finish time was 22:03:54 local time (09:03:54 GMT) for an elapsed time of 26 days, 23 hours, 56 minutes, 6 seconds.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net

Thierry Dubois mit Bernard Stamm und Event Manager Kelly Gilkison
Roy Riley marinepics

Ein glücklicher Thierry Dubois an der Ziellinie in Tauranga
Roy Riley Marinepics

Thierry Dubois mit seiner Familie
Roy Riley Marinepics

Datum: 10. Jan 2003 10:42
SOLIDAIRES SOON TO ARRIVE

The next boat to arrive in Tauranga will be Solidaires with skipper Thierry Dubois at the helm. Dubois is the most experienced sailor in the race. He has competed in two Vendee Globe campaigns (single-handed non-stop around the world), the first in 1996/97 and more recently in 2000/01. His voyage around the world in Â’96 was cut short when he capsized in the Southern Ocean and had to be rescued. Not one to be put off by the experience, Dubois returned again with a new boat and was lying 4th when he was forced to make a technical stopover in New Zealand after electrical problems. He completed the race as an unofficial entrant. This is ThierryÂ’s first Around Alone, an event he has sought to win for many years. While Bernard Stamm has outwitted him thus far, the race is far from over and DuboisÂ’s day may yet come.
The passage from Cape Town to Tauranga has not been easy for Thierry. After taking an early lead cutting across the Agulhas Bank, Dubois watched his rival Stamm steam past him to the south and from then on it was a game of catch-up. When Bernard finished yesterday, Dubois revealed just how difficult this game of catch-up had been. His email reflects a frustrated sailor. Most of the frustration brought on by his overwhelming desire to win this race yet equipment failure and technical difficulties plagued an otherwise extraordinary effort. Here is ThierryÂ’s log:
"Yet again victory has eluded me and I am getting so frustrated to always be just one step behind. So now I will let you know that since the Crozet Islands the reacher, its replacement and the brand new large gennaker have blown up and I have spent 4,000 miles sailing downwind with only the staysail and Solent. Also the magnetic South Pole, which caused my undoing in the last VendÃ©e Globe, yet again screwed up my electronics despite assurances from the experts that it was all regulated, so my Northern route to the Tasman was not so voluntary. To top it all off, one of my rudders sheered off laterally, no collision, no explanation. I will be in a black mood when I arrive, worse than normal - so if you are at the arrival, just beware." Fortunately ThierryÂ’s bark is worse than his bite, so instead of being put off by the last line, if you are in the area come on down and celebrate the arrival of this courageous skipper.
In addition to being a top sailor and seaman, Dubois is also a sailor with a conscience. His sailing career has been devoted to protecting human rights, a cause we could all get behind. In his New years announcement Dubois announced his retirement from professional ocean racing. His email was poignant and heartfelt. "I wish for many more deserving people to get Human Rights," he wrote. "I wish for a bit of good luck & success for Â‘SolidairesÂ’ to finish this race well and the campaign for Â‘Human Rights Around the WorldÂ’Â… I donÂ’t wish for war with Iraq, and donÂ’t want any more encounters with submerged marine animals which might hit the boat; no tears or cries for when I give my farewell to all of this! Yes, 2003 will see the end of my campaign for Human Rights Around the World and my offshore racing career. However, there are still 2 more legs, hopefully time enough to put the icing on the cake, and then celebrate it accordingly; 10 years of campaigning, 1993 Â– 200 3 Â– a pretty good end of the race, which Solidaires and I have sailed together. So, thanks to all of you for the last 9 years and rendezvous at the stop-overs, the finish, at my return Â– soon!"
We look forward to seeing you Thierry Â– in our minds you are a champion for many more reasons than just being a good sailor.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net