27.11.2004
Just 1 day to go before the start of Leg 2
The notorious Southern Ocean beckons!
Sir Chay’s words of advice to the crews
Last minute - some frantic - preparations are currently in full swing in Buenos Aires before the start of leg 2, which begins tomorrow at 1400 local time.
Today the crews have all been in a two hour briefing, giving them all the vital information they will need for the next leg - the weather, the waypoints and what to expect. The rest of the day they will be making sure they have all of their personal belongings (remember they only have 1 small curver box for ALL their belongings!), doing last minute ‘to do’ list points for their skippers, and saying goodbye to family and friends.
The next leg will, without doubt, be one of the most challenging legs of the race and there are hopes and fears throughout the fleet. Some can’t wait to get onboard, others are aware of the perils which face them. Of one thing they can be sure is the prestige of racing around Cape Horn and through the Southern Ocean is one they should be proud of and a challenge most people would not have the guts to undertake.
They will be learning more about themselves, each other and the yachts than they may possibly ever have imagined, where team work and camaraderie will play the leading hand.
We caught up with Sir Chay Blyth, who flew out to Buenos Aires for the Prize Giving and for the start of the race. He told us: “When you talk to people about the 2nd leg a lot of people get concerned about it. It’s the fear of the unknown and Cape Horn has such a reputation.
“People do get concerned. The old adage is true that if you don’t know about something you fear it. Knowledge dispels fear. The crew are all well trained and the boats are specially designed for these conditions.“
Talking about Sir Chay’s rounding of Cape Horn in British Steel he explained: “In British Steel it was at Cape Horn that my journey really started. Sailing down to Cape Horn and sailing back is normal stuff as you have the trade winds carrying you.”
At the moment the weather report for the start is favourable, with the run down towards Cape Horn looking like it will be downwind or reaching. At the moment the winds at the Horn are strong westerlies of 25-30 knots, however, it will take the fleet 5-6 days to get there, and it could change quite considerably, as there is a strong cold front off the coast of Chile which is moving east.
27 Nov 2004 13:26 GMT
Rachel Anning
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