Barcelona World Race 2007-2008

Barcelona World Race 2007

www.barcelonaworldrace.com - Übersicht

30.11.2007
DAY 20: LIFE ON ESTRELLA DAMM IS 'ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE'

Great sailing conditions now face Estrella Damm as she descends further into the south Atlantic, currently chasing both the majority of the Bareaclona World Race fleet and the Santa Helena winds. The fleet as begun to spread out as the two race leaders Paprec-Virbac 2 and PRB contiune to pull away. Now 600 miles behind the race leaders, Estrella Damm skippers Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee have had a very busy few days; they have made some mistakes, had a bit of bad luck but have overcome a very difficult situation. American sailor and Estrella Damm co-skipper Jonathan McKee, has not had sailing at the forefront of his mind as he explains in his latest email:

"Wednesday was a relatively mellow one by recent standards; reaching along toward Fernando de Noronha with 15 to 20 knots, jib top, staysail and one reef. Fast and easy miles.

"We arrived at the gate in the early morning of Thursday having made good progress overnight, and turned upwind. But an hour later we realised we had not rounded correctly (too far east), so we had to sail back downwind to the waypoint, round correctly, and get back on the wind. That was very disappointing, to say the least, giving up those hard fought miles. It seems just when we are starting to get on track something like that happens. Simple mistake but easily done when tired or confused. I am writing it off to an insufficient offering to Neptune when we crossed the equator. By coincidence, that was nearly the same place I broke my mast in the 2003 Mini Transat. So Neptune's price could have been higher.

"Anyways, fast beating all day yesterday in 15 to knots, gradually lifting. The wind continues to lift as we go south, so all the boats ahead are getting freed up sooner, thus gaining miles. A pretty routine day on the sailing side, warm conditions but not too hot, and a pleasant wind speed with out the waves being too bad.

"However my day was anything but routine. Since fixing our watermaker problem, it had stopped working again. This was potentially catastrophic, because we have only limited stored water. We had passed Fernando, the last convenient stopping place, and would have to put into the Brazil coast if we could not fix it ourselves (Recife or Salvador).

"I spent all day with my head down trying to get the thing going. We have two complete watermakers, so I tried to isolate the problems with some phone help from our shore team. I ended up having to completely take apart both units, motor from gearbox from drive converter from filtration unit. It took a few iterations to get the right combination of parts and then put the thing back together, hopefully correctly. Finally I got it running and fresh water was briefly coming out. My heart sang, but then I noticed a growing leak in the intake manifold; one of the O-rings had been damaged. I tried to fix it without taking it totally apart, head stuck in the bilge, but no luck. I decided I needed a rest, as my brain and body were both pretty fried by now. By this time it is 9pm and I have been working on it for about 10 hours, with some brief rests for sailing. All the while trying not to drink water because we don't have much.

"When I get up again I sail for a bit, giving Guillermo a break, then switch the pilot on and get back into it with renewed vigor. I have to dismount the unit, take it apart, take the O-rings from the reindexs of the other unit, and put it back together again. Carefully assembling for the last time, knowing that I can't screw up now because there are no more spare parts. And finally it all works! I have since made about 30 litres of the most beautiful fresh water you ever tasted. Maybe Neptune is finally happy.

"This morning is clear and bright, not too hot yet. The wind has lifted a bit, so we changed the solent for the jib top and staysail, then reef the index - about 30 minutes of good effort. Hopefully this will be our combination all day, maybe coming and going with the reef. I am hoping to have a day without much boatwork, just try to get my head back into the sailing.

"I am still confident we will improve our position as we go on, we just need consistent sailing and good focus. There is lots of time left, including the most challenging part of the course, the Southern Ocean, now not so far away as we race down the South Atlantic at 16 knots, in hot pursuit of the fleet ahead.

"Because of the wind, they are likely to gain today, then hopefully our turn may come. Time will tell."

For more information about Estrella Damm, Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee please visit www.estrelladammsailingteam.com http://www.estrelladammsailingteam.com

To view the latest videos, images and to hear the skippers in their own words visit www.estrelladammsailingteam.com http://www.estrelladammsailingteam.com
For the official event website and to view the current boat standings visit www.barcelonaworldrace.com http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com
Image Guillermo Altadill (left) and Jonathan McKee (right) ready to set sail on their Barcelona World Race qualifier © Carlos Pich http://www.theirwebsite.com/