25.11.2007
Delta Dore 4th approaching the doldrums
Coming back on the last 48 hours
Whilst approaching the doldrums, DELTA DORE is slightly to the east. Jérémie Beyou and Sidney Gavignet are now in fourth position at 171 miles away from the leader Paprec Virbac 2. Jérémie and Sidney had however used all the energy they could whilst going past the archipelago of Capo Verde to try and squeeze back in with the fleets' leaders. After an agitated night, yesterday morning, they were 143 miles away from the leader. But the conditions on the east side were not those announced by the weather charts and the precious miles so hardly won melted away like icicles in yesterday's sun. At the end of the day it was all worth it; Jérémie and Sidney were pleased considering their ride past the archipelago.
Jérémie on phone at 12h :
The sailing passed Capo Verde: « It was very tire ring. We went in between the islands in order to get some of the wind's accelerations. It wasn't the most simple of the solutions but it was the most efficient. We had good strong winds behind us, up to 35 knots. We made some pretty speeds reaching 25 at times. It was very exciting! It has left us with the memories of sliding, surfing and taking in the wave. This passage made us gybe a few times. We didn't have any trouble because we had prepared and anticipated the mouves. We are very pleased with the way the boat reacts. She is seaworthy and it was a beautiful night! »
Whilst approaching the doldrums : « Things are turning out t to be as expected, we are further to the east with a bit less wind so a bit slower than the others. We gybed a few times to steady the course. We thought the conditions would be stronger to the east. The atmospheric pressure wasn't there. So we lost all the hard won miles we had gained passing the Capo Verde archipelago. It part of the game! We must try things taking into mind the different positions of the fleet. They don't all work out. Approaching Capo Verde, we could have decided to stay with the fleet and to stay behind. Of course we wouldn't have lost anything but we certainly wouldn't have won anything either! And now to continue and sail south into the doldrums would have been radical and risky. We have decided to get back in line and to fight for a few miles. The battle is hard! Everybody is sailing well! From Hugo Boss and Tremenos who are behind to Veolia and PRB who are in front. You have to reindex modest. The race has only been going 13 days and there is a long way to go yet. We hope to get through the doldrums at the best possible angle in order to squash to leaders. Those in front will be slowed down first, which will enable us to catch up, but they also lift of again before us. I do not think the leads will be much different on the other side of the doldrums so towards Fernando we will probably find the same sort of configuration. As long as the weather conditions are as they are it will be difficult to change hand. There is a long way to go and 200 miles to catch up isn't much. Otherwise life on board goes on correctly with easy conditions. 2/3 days ago we were able to have a shower. We think we will have another one while we are in the warm zone. Probably the last one for this year!»
Magazine subject: Hygiene on board:
Explained by Jérémie and Sidney : « In each bag, we also cater for hygiene: a tooth brush each, tooth paste, cotton buds, a packet of cleaning wipes for every 2 days, 4 bars of soap for the shower. We have also brought 2 hand washing soaps. During the warm periods wash our lycra t-shirts because they dry incredibly fast. We have a razor per person and per week and shaving gel. We make the most of the rainfall and can have showers in the hotter parts of the globe. We also use a bit of clear water to wash ourselves it is better than baby wipes especially for salty haired heads. »
The positions. Sunday 25th November 2007 at 15h hours French time (UT +1):
RgNomEcartLatLongVit InstCap Inst1PAPREC-VIRBAC 20,04 52.49' N27 33.24' W8,02162PRB9,25 18.56' N28 11.99' W8,82723VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT80,36 34.19' N28 12.81' W13,91924DELTA DORE171,37 51.61' N27 08.88' W14,21955HUGO BOSS177,78 14.95' N28 09.28' W17,21886MUTUA MADRILENA223,38 55.90' N27 46.63' W14,81737TEMENOS 2239,19 21.85' N28 22.26' W16,01778ESTRELLA DAMM312,89 55.63' N26 05.48' W19,81939EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS690,916 34.74' N26 07.99' W11,2183
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