Ellen latest log (communications hosted by BT):
Well here we are powering along at 21 knots. All is well onboard, and we seem to be flying along compared to our last problems with the light wind area. Spirits are up and daily tasks are being carried out with great energy - which is fantastic. Everyone seems very happy - but that's easy to say when we are powering along like this. The sailing is absolutely fantastic - 2 metre swells that we are surfing down, the boat just gliding. Last night I helmed for an hour - an electrifying feeling. Such an enormous machine at your hands, just responding to each little movement of the helm. We seem very small compared to her. That's why we have to be so careful... She is enormous and far more powerful than us. In this attempt it's far more about taming the beast than pushing as hard as you can. There is always a risk of breaking something - all it takes is a gust a litlle stronger when someone does not ease out the sheet to explode a sail... things can go wrong easily... but then that at the end of the day is the challenge.
soon,
ex
EQUATOR RECORD:
For KINGFISHER2 to beat the existing Ushant (start) to Equator record of 6 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes, 21 seconds set by Geronimo, KINGFISHER2 must cross the Equator 1 second before 18:15:09 GMT on Wednesday 5.2.03. However, based on the current forecast and boat speed it is not expected that KINGFISHER2 can better this record.
For KINGFISHER2 to beat the Ushant to Equator time set by Orange of 7 days, 22 hours, KINGFISHER2 must cross the Equator 1 second before 04:48:00 GMT on Friday 7.2.03.
For KINGFISHER2 to beat the Ushant to Equator time set by ENZA of 7 days, 4 hours, 24 minutes, KINGFISHER2 must cross the Equator 1 second before 11:12:49 GMT on Thursday 6.2.03.
JULES VERNE RECORD:
KINGFISHER2 started Jules Verne record attempt at 06:48:39 GMT on 30.1.03. To beat the existing 'Orange' record of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes 24 seconds, KINGFISHER2 must finish 1 second before 15:25:13 GMT on 4th April or less if GERONIMO lowers the record.
http://www.grandsrecords.com
JV DAY 7: KINGFISHER2 PULLS BACK MILES ONLY 1HR 56MINS BEHIND ORANGE RECORD...
Absender: "Team Kingfisher"
Datum: 05. Feb 2003 09:01
SUMMARY: 0700 GMT 5.2.03
Position: 8 38' N 26 49' W (656 nm south-west Dakar, 517nm to Equator)
Ahead/Behind the record: 1 hours 56 minutes behind Orange
DAY 6 24 hour run (point to point) : Kingfisher2 532 nm, Orange 373 nm, Geronimo 527 nm
End DAY 6 distance to go (on theoretical course) : KF 22173 nm, Orange 22142 nm, Geronimo 21948 nm
Click on POSITIONS link at http://www.teamkingfisher.com to see graphic images comparing the tracks of these 3 challengers at 4 hourly intervals.
Av/Max boat speed in last hour: 19.9 / 27.0 knots
Av/Max wind speed in last hour: 17.38 / 23.4 knots from 059
IN BRIEF:
* KINGFISHER2 JUST 1 HOUR, 56 MINUTES BEHIND ORANGE RECORD... "We've been smoking along for 24 hours now," a skipper, with a hint of a smile, this morning, as KINGFISHER2 records a 532 mile day, her second over 500 miles so far [interesting fact, Orange only recorded 15 +500 mile days in the entire tour] and are now just 1 hour, 56 minutes behind the 'Orange' record.
* PERFECT TRADE WIND CONDITIONS as KINGFISHER2 approaches the Equator, just over 500 miles of the northern hemisphere to go now... The DOLDRUMS 'barrier' in front of them looks to be relatively stable at present, and they looking for the 'gap to cross' at about 27 degrees west.
* 'THE BIGGEST ISSUE NOW IS HOW ON EARTH TO CROSS THE SOUTH ATLANTIC HIGH' which is currently split in to several different elements, and spanning the entire ocean in front of them - an effective barrier between the Equator and the Southern Ocean. "We expect to have to sail more than a 1000 extra miles, we'll be seeing the eyes of the Brazilians I fear," MacArthur admitted this morning its going to be a slow passage south.
* TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TO CHALLENGE THE CREW as a critical pin on the starboard steering system shears..."grab the leeward helm" was the shout to Neal McDonald who had been trying to eat lunch in the shade... Four hours later, up and running and no time lost, strengthened system in place, preventative upgrade to the port system shortly.
* CREW MEMBER FOCUS: Damian Foxall, helm also responsibile for safety and mechanics on board...
Listen to Ellen's latest audio this morning... Visit http://www.teamkingfisher.com and click on the 'Audio' icon on the menu bar or download from http://www.ocftp.com/audio/em050203a_uk.mp3
Kingfisher operating company of the day KOCKTAS: Koctas is Turkey's leading Home Improvement retail chain.
http://www.koctas.com.tr
LATEST COMMUNICATION FROM ELLEN (communications hosted by BT):
"Right now, sailing downwind holding due south at about 18-22 knots of breeze. The sea is much flatter than this morning when it was quite rough round Cape Verde Islands. The wind shadow from the islands is quite impressive - yesterday we were just holding west of south but then gybed west of the most western Cape Verde Island. We then sailed fast and were about 70 miles away and still lost the breeze for an hour from the wind shadow effect from the islands. The wind slowly came back again but pretty impressive really."
CREW MEMBER FOCUS: Damian Foxall (IRE) - Helmsman / Safety / Mechanics
Damian Foxall(33) has raced over 150,000 miles and completed 1 full circumnavigation with Team Tyco in the Volvo Ocean Race (finished 4th overall). Damian's strength is his versatility having competed in almost every element of offshore racing from going solo against the best in the French La Solitaire du Figaro, double-handed with Frank Proffit, record-setting on board Playstation, Volvo Ocean Race, and the French ORMA 60 trimaran circuit as navigator for Karine Fauconnier's Sergio Tacchini. Damian knows KINGFISHER2 well having raced on board her in Orange's Round Britain and Ireland attempt but he also knows a good team is essential: "I have been aware of the Jules Verne since the outset and its certainly something I've wanted to do. We are here with a good team - really good people - and its important on a race like this to have compatability as it's a very intense experience."
Email Damian direct on board KINGFISHER2 at damianrace@kingfisherchallenges.com
PARTNER OF THE DAY - MUSTO have supported Ellen since she first sailed round Britain on her own and have been providing technical clothing to Team Kingfisher projects since 1998. MUSTO have provided the KINGFISHER2 crew with a range of technical gear to survive the extreme conditions including survival suit, offshore oilskins, mid layer and thermal gear (both heavy and light).
http://www.teamkingfisher.com/musto
Kingfisher plc is one of Europe's leading retailers operating in the international home improvement and electrical and furniture markets. Kingfisher employs around 90,000 people in over 1,397 stores across 16 countries and includes some of the best known retail brands in Europe: B&Q and Comet in the UK and Castorama, Darty and BUT in France.
http://www.diy.com
http://www.comet.co.uk
http://www.kingfisher.com
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