Betreff: LE DEFI: FAST CONDITIONS FOR THE FRONT RUNNERS IN APPROACH TO CAPE FINISTERRE...
Absender: "Team Cowes"
Datum: 11. Dec 2003 15:24
LE DEFI: FAST CONDITIONS FOR THE FRONT RUNNERS IN APPROACH TO CAPE FINISTERRE...
TEAM COWES Le Défi Atlantique campaign is supported by Skandia and Cowes Waterfront
STB TACK REACHING - 20 KNOTS SE - APPROX 470 MILES W CANARY ISLANDS - TEAM COWES 5TH - DISTANCE TO LEADER PRB 155 MILES
IN BRIEF:
* TEAM COWES & VMI ONLY 10 MILES APART SAILING FAST...COULD REACH CAPE FINISTERRE IN 4 DAYS: "Right now, the rest of us are in a line heading for Finisterre at a speed averaging 15 knots. In theory this could get us there in 4 days time - it's a real possibility at these speeds."
* FRONT RUNNERS LOOK SET TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE LEAD ALL THE WAY TO THE LINE... Leader Vincent Riou (PRB) has just over 1500 miles to the finish as Alex Thomson (AT Racing) gets back in the fray by hooking into a fast weather system yesterday storming into 2nd place separating Mike Golding from the leader for the first time. After hitting a submerged object yesterday Golding has been pushed back into 3rd place now 70 miles behind PRB.
* JEAN PIERRE DICK DETERMINED TO FINISH RACE...following Virbac's dismasting yesterday, Jean Pierre reported that he is determined to finish the race unassisted under jury rig to complete his qualification for the Vendée Globe. Dick must reach the finish at La Rochelle 10 days after the first finisher crosses the line.
AUDIO CALL NICK MOLONEY - 1200GMT 11.12.03:
Right now, the rest of us are in a line heading for Finisterre at a speed averaging 15 knots. In theory this could get us there in 4 days time - it's a real possibility at this speeds. We will need a bit of luck - and the weather models are varying a bit - to stay on this pace and avoid any breakages.
Alex is coming east all the time on this weather system and could end up on our line and quite a way in front - it's a hard to say right now. The storm he was near is diminishing quickly and he might feel some adverse effects from that...heavy rain with little breeze.
I think Jo-Jo has more wind further offshore than me but I don't need heaps of breeze to keep going fast - Team Cowes is doing 20 knots at times - and we are going a more direct course. I am holding a full index and solent right now with 20 knots of wind speed but it is a bit borderline for a reef, really. The only problem with putting a reef in is that the foot of the index just fills up with water from the spray and puts a lot of pressure on the sail not to mention weight. So I am also trying to keep a full index up to protect it as well.
It is pretty wet now - spray everywhere and I am permanently wearing wet weather pants so if I have to go on deck I am in the right gear. It's not too cold and the breeze is still from the south so has some warmth in it but that will change soon.
PRB is a fast reaching boat and these conditions suit her perfectly so Mike has his work cut out for him and now Alex is back in the fray as well. At this stage nothing is clear cut and everything is still on the line. Jean Pierre's dismasting yesterday is a stark reminder of how quickly it can be over and avoid breakages is just as important as speed to get you to the finish line.
LE DEFI POSITIONS 11.12.03 1100GMT:
Pos/Skippers Name/Boat Name/Lat/Long/DTL/DTF
1st Vincent Riou / PRB / N301728 / W0263784 / 0 / 1541.4
2nd Alex Thomson / AT Racing / N312628 / W0291868 / 48.1 / 1589.5
3rd Mike Golding / Ecover / N283578 / W0262455 / 70.1 / 1611.5
4th Sébastien Josse / VMI/ N274748 / W0273084 / 144.3 / 1685.7
5th Nick Moloney / TEAM COWES / N265712 / W0263764 / 155.5 / 1696.9
6th Joe Seeten / Arcelor-Dunkerque / N243300 / W0280452 / 318.3 / 1859.7
7th Benoît LEQUIN / Wel.network / N223991 / W0282936 / 424.8 / 1966.2
8th Jean Pierre Dick / Virbac / N212620 / W0304384 / 555.3 / 2096.7
9th Benoît PARNAUDEAU / Colibri / N205996 / W0301000 / 559.6 / 2101.0
10th Anne LIARDE / Gonna Gitcha / N185440 / W0310084 / 691.1 / 2232.5
PERFORMANCE PARTNER OF THE DAY : RENAULT
Official vehicle supplier to the Offshore Challenges Sailing team
http://www.offshorechallenges.com/renault
For Race Information go to www.defi-atlantique.org
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