19.01.2005
Trimaran title sponsor B&Q is the biggest DIY retailer in Europe and third biggest in the world. http://www.diy.com
DAY 53 MEDIA RELEASE: NOTHING LIKE BEING KICKED WHEN YOU'RE DOWN...
KEY DATA DAY 52 1510 GMT:
Distance ahead: 864 miles
Time ahead: 2 days 23 hours [representing 14.11% of time reindexing] calculated using the time it took for Joyon to get to the same Distance to Finish as Ellen's current position
OMEGA: Official timekeeper for Ellen MacArthur
Lat/Long: 29 02 S / 037 17 W (720 miles E Port Alegre, Brazil)
Average Boat speed: 10.35 knots (heading NE by N)
True Wind speed: 26.3 knots (direction N by W)
Sea temperature: 23.4 degrees C
Distance sailed so far: 21,537 miles at an average speed of 17.2 knots
(data communicated by Thrane MiniC via BT Business Broadband)
Update based on data recorded 1510 GMT...check http://www.teamellen.com for the latest data updated hourly
IN BRIEF:
* MACARTHUR FINALLY CROSSES THE FRONT SHE HAS BEEN CHASING for over 24 hours, going from light SW winds into strong NNW upwind conditions, currently on port gybe heading north of north-east under staysail and two reefs.
* B&Q SUFFERS BREAKAGE TO TACK LINE OF SOLENT headSAIL requiring more DIY at a time when MacArthur needs rest above all. Thankfully, the sail was undamaged during the incident, as this could have turned what is a minor failure into a major problem that could have easily affected her overall performance.
* MACARTHUR'S ADVANTAGE CONTINUES TO BE ERODED falling under 3 days, her lowest since the 5th January when she had built her lead up to 2 days and 21 hours on day 39 of the record attempt.
* VMG REQUIRED TO COVER THE REindexING DISTANCE is back up to 10.2 knots - she will sail a greater distance to keep in favourable conditions therefore actual boat speeds will need to be around 2.5 knots faster.
IN DETAIL:
B&Q skipper, Ellen MacArthur, finally crossed the front she had been fighting to get through for well over a day, totally exhausting her already depleted energy levels. Light airs just south of the front made for a tiring and frustrating game of catch up but she finally made the transition earlier this morning. The wind went into the north and rapidly increased from an average of 10 knots, to 16, then 27.6 knots by 1300gmt.
Just as MacArthur thought she might have some time to recuperate, another blow was swiftly delivered. At around 1330gmt today, <> skipper called her shore team to inform them that the tack line of the Solent [headsail] had given way under increasing 30 knot winds. In a voice trembling with emotion, Ellen said: "The tack line has blown off - it went in 27 knots of breeze. We had been expecting squalls up to 30 knots as we crossed the front but the breeze just increased and stayed, the pressure was too much." The tack line adds tension to the sail and runs from the foot of the sail, via a purchase system, down through a jammer on the deck and back into the cockpit. When the tack line gave way, the sail was suddenly released and whipped back - the retainer line attached to the furler drum at the base of the sail, used for reeling in or releasing the sail, reached its maximum tension before breaking apart the plastic casing of the drum. Fortunately, the Solent itself was not damaged as it flogged in the breeze unchecked by the tack line - if it had been, the result would have been more serious. Ellen can still use the Solent sail by putting the tack line round a winch, although she is currently sailing under staysail and two reefs, but will need the Solent again soon as the winds decreases ahead. More DIY required to fix the furler drum casing and re-cover the tack line which had its cover ripped off in the jammer, at a time when she needs rest above all us.
MacArthur's advantage is being eroded and has reached its lowest point since her rounding of Cape Horn, now standing at 2 days and 22 hours at 1520gmt this afternoon and, in terms of distance, only 864 miles ahead of current solo round the world record holder, Francis Joyon. The VMG [velocity made good to the finish] required of <> to cover the reindexing 5,065 miles is 10.2 knots [two days ago it was 9.9 knots] - Joyon was making around 12 knots VMG at this same stage of his record attempt. In 2001, it took Ellen 24 days to complete the distance from where she is now to Les Sables d'Olonne, the finish line of the Vendée Globe race on board the 60ft monohull, Kingfisher. She now has less than 21 days to get to the finish line of this round the world record attempt, between Ushant and Lizard, and break the 72 day, 22 hour and 54 minute record that currently belongs to Francis Joyon.
The wind is expected to clock further right and decrease later, requiring the use the Solent headsail again, and putting <> on a more easterly course. Although getting north is the objective and as <> gets close to 28-29 degrees south and closer to the ridge, she will gybe back on to starboard to head north-west. The transition into the more stable south-east Trade Winds, approximately 700 miles ahead based on the current weather analysis, will not come soon enough for MacArthur who needs these conditions to recover as she nurses a very tired boat towards the Equator that lays another 1780 miles up the track.
WEATHER ANALYSIS FROM COMMANDERS' WEATHER:
As Ellen crosses the front, WNW winds will take over and become more NW during the day. Likely to be light for a couple hours even after crossing the front, but then will increase. Will have to watch for some showers and a few thunderstorms around this morning.
Increasing NW to NNW wind after 13-15utc today and may get a period of fairly strong wind (20-30 kts) around 16utc Wed thru 22utc Wed. Will be heading NE and ENE in this flow with the wind direction favoring more E as it clocks Wed night and Thurs. We try and keep as much northing is as we can during this time. Wind speeds diminish later Wed night and Thurs.
As we get around 28-29w and nearer the ridge, winds will become more NE and at some point during Thursday night, we will gybe back to the NW.
Wind forecasts
Wind directions are TRUE, wind speed in kts, time is UTC
Wed, Jan 19
09: 300-320/ 8-15
12: 320-340/10-18, near 29s/37 30w - winds stronger to the E and N,
lighter to the W and S
18: 330-350/22-30 - wind less if we're slower
Clouds with some scattered showers and a few tstms overnight, especially after 03utc Wed. Activity tapers off around 12utc Wed. Seas 12-16 ft and may have combination of SW and N waves for a time.
Thu, Jan 20
00: 340-360/18-24
06: 350-010/15-20
12: 360-020/12-17, nr 26 30s/31 15w
18: 010-030/11-16 - lighter wind to the E and NE
Partly cloudy to fair. Seas diminish to 7-10 ft
http://www.commandersweather.com
PARTNER OF THE DAY : THRANE & THRANE
Official supplier of satellite transmission equipment to Ellen and the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team
Click here for further information on Sailing Speed Records http://www.sailspeedrecords.com and here for information on Ellen's campaign http://www.teamellen.com
For further information, please contact Offshore Challenges:
Lou Newlands or Lucy Harwood
T: +44 (0)870 063 0210
E: lou@offshorechallenges.com or lucy@offshorechallenges.com
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B&Q has over 350 stores in the UK, China and Taiwan and employs about 40,000 people. With its sister DIY company Castorama which has stores in France, Italy and Poland, B&Q is the biggest DIY retailer in Europe and third biggest in the world.
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