PRESS RELEASE of 11/14/2006
ARM WRESTLINGS AT SEA, LESS THAT 300 MILES FROM ARRIVAL FOR SHARP...
Who has the best strategy to the approach to Guadeloupe ? The present winds, resulting from a conflict between a “Bermudas High” and a few lows that take the opportunity to show up, are very weak and it is risky to make a prognosis. But, looking at the pinpoints on the map and the rankings, we can say that those who are sailing in the northerly winds on the west side of the low, right above Guadeloupe, had more pressure. And, they should take the advantage until tomorrow of their northwesterly position. As a result, Phil Sharp's lead over Gildas Morvan went back up to a 104 miles at 4:00 PM (after shrinking to 58 miles yesterday). Anyway, speeds are alternatively increasing and decreasing on either boat so this painful suspense is going to last until the finish, Phil says Thursday, but it will be Eolus'good will! For the reindexing boats at sea, the line will - unless there is an amendment to the race rules - close at 1:00 AM on nov 21st.
60-Footer
Marc Guillemot (Safran) and Anne Liardet (Roxy) whose arrivals were programmed a few days ago now, are still at sea desperately trying to make their boats move in the light airs.
They were back in movement at respectively 9 and 6 knots in the morning – which gave an occasion for Marc to pass Anne. These are obviously not similar to the frenzy speeds of the crossing ! And, not only there is no wind but they need to manoeuver like crazy to capture the slightest puff of wind, not knowing sometimes from where it will come.
What is the most interesting – maybe – is that Marc and Anne are still fighting for the 7th place, and not only to get quickly to the arrival line. And the situation is tiresome, above all, for Anne, who had to struggle with her pilot almost since the start.
40-Footer
Phil Sharp and Gildas Morvan should touch a bit of Eastern Trade Winds by tomorrow, before they weaken. Unfortunately, that should also mean that the doors of the north-westerly option that was so favourable so far, are going to close behind them.
It is therefore possible that Ian Muslow, who ranks 3rd, passing Olivier Rabine (IXSEA) who had a problem with his pilot last night, finds himself trapped in the “no wind” lands that will envelope the competitors in the next days.
The situation might then reverse, giving an opportunity to the skippers in the South (like Dominic Vittet) that can dive down to seek for Trade Winds that will build up around latitude 21N.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
Phil Sharp/philsharpracing.com
Lovely weather, I ‘ve had some wind which was not forecasted, so it' a bonus. Looking forward to things ahead.
It wasn't too bad for me, I had some winds - apart from about 2/3 hours with very light winds this morning. It wasn't too shifty so I think I sailed more miles than Morvan cause I had a better winds.
I slept quite a bit, but the phone keeps going now and people keep ringing me up saying “ come on – come on you got to go, 300 miles ! It's difficult to catch your sleep sometimes.
It should be able to be there in Thursday based on the ETA, hopefully Thursday morning.
I'll be reliefed by thinking there's only a few hours before the finish, assuming that I am winning, but I've got to keep sailing hard, because with shifty weather then anything can happen. Everyone speculates that I ‘ve won yet but I haven't crossed the finish line.
The finish is going to be amazing anyway, crossing the line in this position, I think it is going to be quite emotional.
International Media Contact
Veronique Teurlay
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