Latest news from Nick Moloney to Dr Krumnacker
Segel.de
Nick Moloney is a member of Ellen MacArthur's Offshore Challenges Sailing Team http://www.nickmoloney.com
* NEW RECORD - Ushant / The Equator : 53 days, 4 h and 49 m
Crossing of the Equator : Wednesday 24th April at 14h25 French time
Cape Horn / Equator : 11 days, 1 hour and 57 minutes
* "the consequences of total failure are daunting but we knew the
risk level when we signed on...." Nick reflects on how close, yet so far still from achieving the goal
* only one hemisphere to go now, as the boys still need to tackle the doldrums, the trade winds and the potential depressions of the North Atlantic...a long way to go still...
* The plan of attack for the North Atlantic "considering our mast predicament. Looks like we will be forced to sail a significantly further distance to the finish than we had hoped in order to avoid rough seas"
POSITION REPORT (Day 55 at sea)
COMPARISON table / JULES VERNE TROPHY
25th April 2002 0808 GMT
54 DAYS SAILED - 17 DAYS TO FINISH TO BEAT RECORD OF 71 DAYS
MILES TO FINISH : 2460 (approximately)
AVERAGE SPEED REQUIRED TO BEAT RECORD : 6.02 KNOTS
POSITION ORANGE
Position : 03°34 'N / 23°18' W
Speed 24h : 11.95
Distance since departure : 23877.93 miles
Distance 24h : 286.7 miles
COMPARISON TO SPORT ELEC IN 1997
Position : 33°26 'S / 40°00' W
Speed 24h : 8.60
Distance since departure : 19014.60 miles
Distance 24h : 206.40 miles
LATEST LOGBOOK FROM NICK (read Nick thoughts and fears over the past two days of tense times onboard Orange)
I trust everyone understands why we held off information about our mast
problem. I think we all needed to deal with the situation onboard before we
became overwhelmed with advice.
So the basics are, the mast is stepped on a ball joint very similar to a tow
ball on your car. This allows the wing mast to rotate. The ball, at last
inspection appeared to have a crack around 1/2of its perimeter, quite
serious. For several days the mast has been making the most horrendous noise
as our bows slap over waves. Eve has made an effort to retain the ball in
the event that it shears off completely by laminating carbon fibre around
the base, plate and beam. whether or not it will be enough is impossible to
say.
So things have been a little tense onboard for the past few days to say the
least. Its a very daunting thought to lose everything right now.
I am sure its a bit of a surprise to all ashore considering the miles we
have been pushing aside since punching into the trade wind belt but its been
safer to keep pressure in the mast and sails to stop pumping. Our immediate
concern now is that we expect some head seas North of the Equator. we have options to take a longer route home and try to avoid slamming upwind in the trades so we are assesing weather heavily.
Theres not much we can do now but just keep sailing smart. try to preserve
when we can. the consequences of total failure are daunting but we knew the
risk level when we signed on. I believe that we are in no more danger than
any other day onboard these beasts. I think its the thought of a 1.8 tonne
mast 40metres long with over 500square metres of sail tumbling down around
you that has put us all on edge. At least we are aware and know where the
danger zones are onboard.
I have been able to push it out of my mind for long periods. If it happens,
it happens. we can no longer monitor the crack as its wrapped in carbon and
out of view. either it stays sanding or we have issues, big issues. we are
prepared in regards to safety eqiupment so we shall see.
those who know me know very well know that I dont dwell on what may happen or things that are out of my hands.
hey, we had an incredible sunrise this morning. A mixture of black rain
squalls, blue skys, white cumulous cloud, orange, red sun rays and even a
rainbow for a period. Looked like an artist has seriously over done it.
7th Equator crossing for me.....i'm getting old.....na!
progress is slowing this morning but were still moving in the right
direction at around 15kts......hey, could be worse,,,alot worse.
nick
****
08:20gmt 25/04
nearly 4 degrees north now. so far the doldrums have been kind in wind
strength but not direction. The wind is currently blowing directly from
Brest making progress painfully slow. TWS about 15kts and we are heading NW
at about 12kts, trying not to slam over waves.
Sat with Bruno at the chart table yesterday and ran through plan of attack
for the North Atlantic considering our mast predicimate. Looks like we will
be forced to sail a significantly further distance to the finish than we had
hoped in order to avoid rough seas. This is something that we will just have
to live with. I said in the Madforsailing piece' Bruno doesnt want to smash
the record, he will be happy simply to better the record' we are all of this
frame of mind onboard...
we are beating upwind and the mast has stopped making strange noises which
is a bit spooky.
Spending some time with Bruno yesterday, I began to really get an idea of
the stress' he is experiencing. the world is aware that we have opted to
push forward,, to try to finish. Relevant emergency services are aware of
our position and situation all the time but whilst we continue, I am sure he
will not sleep. I dont think he's buying my 'dont worry mate! She'll be
right!'
talking of sleep...there has been a shortage of that stuff due to the
heat....(no ones complaining though. Its strange, when we were here a few
weeks ago everyone complained about tyhe heat and now after a long stint in
the Southern Ocean..everybodies loving it.) any way...Last night was a bit
hot and stuffy below deck so Ronan decided to sleep on the tramp under the
start. Problem was the stars disappeared behind a large rain cloud and he
got hosed. It all happened so quickly.. he first felt a few drops then the
down pour. There was nothing he could do but pull his sleeping bag, which is
now soaked, over his head and go back to sleep.
Most of the boys are sporting great sun tans with well defined strap marks
from their wet weather pants...new trend? I think not!
time to eat last nights cold leftovers and get some sleep before it get too
hot.
this is it...were in the Northern Hemisphere..we are really on the home
straight. its all very exciting.
nick
* For interviews with Nick, images, and any other media information please contact the Offshore Challenges office:
Tel: +44 (0) 01983 282797
helen@offshorechallenges.com
*Images for media use of 'Orange' by Gilles Martin-Raget can be viewed at
http://www.martin-raget.com
*Find all the news about the megacat 'Orange' on the website http://www.orange.fr
Nick's Personal sponsors include : The Entire Group
http://www.entiregroup.com.au
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