Betreff: LE DEFI: TEAM COWES RACING IN THE DARK...
Absender: "Team Cowes"
Datum: 01. Dec 2003 17:44
LE DEFI: TEAM COWES RACING IN THE DARK...
TEAM COWES Le Défi Atlantique campaign is supported by Skandia and Cowes Waterfront
UPWIND - 15 KNOTS E - 200 MILES SOUTH OF RECIFE - TEAM COWES COVERED APPROX 170 MILES IN FIRST 24 HOURS
IN BRIEF:
* RACE ORGANISERS SUFFER TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN POLLING THE FLEET...right now it is a bit a guess work of who is where as the latest positions vary in times from yesterday and today. The race organisers are experiencing difficulties in polling the fleet via satellite having to rely on direct contact with the boats which is not always easy when the skippers may be on deck or sleeping...
* TEAM COWES WAS POSITIONED WITH THE FRONT RUNNERS AS THE SUN SET yesterday evening after the start of the 4,100 Defi Atlantique race from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil to La Rochelle in France. Front runners include Jean-Pierre Dick [Virbac - winner of the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre Open 60 class], Alex Thomson [AT Racing] and Mike Golding [Ecover]. The fleet on a direct course to the finish line in their goal to complete the 2004 Vendée Globe qualifier and are expected to be at sea for 18-20 days.
* THE 10 SKIPPERS ARE REPORTED TO BE SAILING IN GOOD UPWIND conditions [around 15 knots] off the coast of Brazil. Tactically the fleet have tacked off away from the coast to get more pressure from the south-east Trades as they head north to cross the equator 750 miles up the track and then negotiate the Doldrums.
LE DEFI POSITIONS 1.12.03:
Pos/Skippers Name/Boat Name/Time of poll/Date
1st Benoît PARNAUDEAU / Colibri-Charente-Maritime / 04:44:00 / 1.12.03
2nd Joe SEETEN / Arcelor-Dunkerque / 06:44:00 / 1.12.03
3rd Mike GOLDING / Ecover / 06:28:00 / 1.12.03
5th Benoît LEQUIN / Wel.network 06:28:00 / 1.1203
6th Vincent RIOU / PRB / 06:56:00 / 1.12.03
7th Alex Thomson / AT Racing / 19:50:00 / 30.11.03
8th Nick MOLONEY / TEAM COWES / 05:48:00 / 1.12.03
9th Jean Pierre DICK / Virbac / 22:26:00 / 30.11.03
10th Sébastien Josse / VMI / 19:50:00 / 30.11.03
No position from Anne Liaret (Gonna-Gitcha / France)
PERFORMANCE PARTNER OF THE DAY : RED FUNNEL
Transport Partner to the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team
http://www.offshorechallenges.com/redfunnel
For Race Information go to www.defi-atlantique.org
NOTES:
Skandia Set Sail: making sailing more accessible; growing the sport's reach; enriching people's lives. Skandia is the title sponsor to Sam Davies' 2003 Figaro Campaign Skandia Cowes Week is the oldest and largest sailing regatta in the world with up to 1000 boats racing in the Solent. Skandia Cowes Week 2004 takes place between 7th to 14th August. Skandia is a leading international long term savings company. www.skandia.com
Cowes Waterfront is a major regeneration initiative for the Medina Valley, encompassing the towns of Cowes, East Cowes and Newport Harbour on the Isle of Wight. It aims to strengthen the Island's position as a centre of excellence for the composites and specialist marine sectors by providing the resources and infrastructure that businesses need. It will bring new life and new visitors to town centres by attracting modern leisure and recreational facilities, including hotels, restaurants and cafes and promote the area as 'the home of world yachting'. www.coweswaterfront.co.uk
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