16.11.2005
DAY 12: SILL ET VEOLIA CROSS EQUATOR NOW A SPRINT TO THE FINISH
IN BRIEF:
SILL ET VEOLIA CROSSES EQUATOR APPROX 0700 GMT – final sprint for the finish as frontrunners on course to obliterate monohull course record
VIRBAC-PAPREC HOLD THE ADVANTAGE AT THE FRONT positioning themselves between the chasing Sill et Velia and the finish
“WE HAVE A TOUGH FIGHT Ahead BUT AS THEY SAY, IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER!”
IN DETAIL:
From Ellen earlier today:
“I’m in a good place and although both Bilou (aka Roland Jourdain) and I are totally knackered, I’m really enjoying the race that we have on our hands. We have a tough fight ahead but as they say it’s not over until it’s over! But, we are making the best of it with the boat and the conditions that we have. Its fast sailing now all the way to the finish, and although we are focusing on Virbac ahead, we’re not ignoring the boats behind as they can still pose a threat.”
Virbac-Paprec and Sill et Veolia were the first of the frontrunners to pass into the Southern Hemisphere overnight. At approximately 0700 GMT the Anglo-French duo of MacArthur and Roland Jourdain crossed offering gifts to Neptune along the way. Currently located 104 miles south of the Euquator at 1500 GMT and 200 miles north-east of the Fernando de Nornonha Islands, Jourdain and MacArthur are staying within reach of the leader, 20.4 miles behind at 1500 GMT – only dropping 1 mile over the last 24 hours. Both MacArthur and Jourdain have reported extreme fatigue onboard and yet in contrast the French duo onboard Virbac-Paprec reported feeling “rested” after an easier route across the Doldrums. Dick and Peyron also hold the advantage of being ahead, able to ‘control’ and ‘cover’ the chasing Sill et Veolia but there is the added implication of Bondulle who are 76.3 miles behind and keeping an eye on both could be a challenge. For Jourdain and MacArthur there are few tactical options available so sailing the best angle for the next 800+ miles to the finish will be crucial to stay in touch with Virbac-Paprec and pinning their hopes on an 11th hour turn of luck as they close on the Brazilian coast where local weather conditions could become a major player in the final scene of this two-handed race.
Now sailing in the firmly established South-East Trade Winds, the conditions look stable today, blowing 15-20 knots and building to 25 knots by tomorrow. In the present conditions, they will be looking to utilise as much sail area as possible, choosing full indexsail and Code 0, at 90 degree close reaching. This should last for the next 36 hours before they begin to shift to faster broad-reaching conditions for the final sprint into the finish which based on the latest ETA will be in the early hours of Saturday morning.
OPEN 60 MONOHULL POSITIONS 1500GMT 16/11/05:
1. VIRBAC-PAPREC 815.8 miles to finish
2. SILL ET VEOLIA +20.4 miles to leader
3. BONDUELLE +76.3 miles to leader
4. ECOVER +107.5 miles to leader
5. SKANDIA +119.9 miles to leader
FOR LATEST POSITIONS CLICK HERE
PARTNER OF THE DAY: THRANE & THRANE
Official Supplier of Satellite Transmission Equipment to Sam and the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team.
http://www.teamellen.com/nautix
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION LOG ONTO: http://www.jacques-vabre.com
For further information, please contact Offshore Challenges Sailing Team:
Lou Newlands or Lucy Harwood
T: +44 (0)870 063 0210
E: lou.newland@ocgroup.com or lucy.harwood@ocgroup.com
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