Velux 5 Oceans - Alone-Round the World Yacht Race www.velux5oceans.com - Übersicht 08.11.2006 VELUX 5 Oceans Equator crossing imminent for Alex Thomson on HUGO BOSS After a brief stint in the calms and squalls of the Doldrums, British solo sailor Alex Thomson will tonight cross into the South Atlantic. It has been a slow journey to the equator for Thomson, taking a lengthy 16 days in contrast to the eight days it took him in the Vendée Globe. The concertina effect continues and HUGO BOSS currently lies 647 nautical miles behind race leader Bernard Stamm, 281 miles behind Japan's Kojiro Shiraishi and 249 miles behind third placed Mike Golding. This morning Thomson sent this report back from the boat: "I felt invigorated yesterday having good wind and good speed, and my little adventure with that 35 knot squall the day before. Speeds were good all day although it was very stop start - AGAIN. One minute I had 16 knots of wind and the next 8 knots, but thankfully more of the 16 knots, so I managed to claw a few miles back on the two guys directly ahead of me. "There was not much chance for rest though as my sail plan needed lots of attention to keep the boat on the pace. The wind all day was moving towards the south-east which indicated I was getting into the south-easterly trades and out of the doldrums and I was happy about that! There were large black clouds everywhere though and last night I sailed straight into the worst squall I have ever experienced. I had 45 knots of wind but it was in the right direction, and although I had too much sail up and the boat was a little out of control, I was going the right way which always makes you feel better! "The scary part of the storm was not the wind, but the lightening. Fork lightening coming down within a few miles of me, pitch black otherwise as the moon was completely obscured and the thunder was deafening. I have to say, not normally being afraid of very much, but standing outside on one of the world's best electricity conductors frightened the living daylights out of me - and it went on and on and on! "Finally, I could see light ahead and slowly I sailed out of it and into the wind I have now, which is a south-east force 4-5. Hurray out of the doldrums at last! Next it's crossing the equator which I should do later this evening, and then high tail it south. The weather ahead looks fairly stable but I expect the guys in front to extend their lead as they move into winds more easterly. But hopefully as they slow, I will be onto them, two steps forward three steps back!! "The other race that's going on at present is the Route du Rhum which left St Malo on October 28th. It's great to see Bilou leading the Open 60 fleet, although I'm also hoping that Brian Thompson (currently in fifth) will hang on to the leaders. I managed to speak to Phil Sharp yesterday who is leading the Class 40 fleet. He is doing a fantastic job and feeling happy and relaxed. Hopefully he can nail the last 1500 nm and finish first!" Alex Thomson HUGO BOSS - End - Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE