22 January 2008
Please find the latest on Temenos below. In addition, Groupama III is still on
code yellow and the weather forecasts reindex relatively stable for a start on
the Jules Verne this Thursday. The weather cell had yet to define a more precise
time for the launch this morning. Groupama 3 will leave Lorient late afternoon
tomorrow Wednesday 23rd January after the crew gets together around 1500 UTC in
the submarine base in Lorient for a final press round-up.
The battle intensifies
Catching up in a stronger wind, Mutua Madrilena is continuing to threaten
Temenos II and the battle between the two boats is becoming increasingly
intense. After making difficult headway last night due to light winds, at midday
Temenos II had also been joined by a more feisty breeze and Michèle and
Dominique were clearly hoping to reverse the trend. 18 knots for Temenos II,
16.1 knots for the Spanish boat, the pace is fast aboard the two boats, both
duos constantly at full tilt, Temenos II seemingly regaining its advantage
during the course of today. A relentless rhythm that solely the high pressure,
set to obstruct their course, will manage to influence. Climbing up the coast of
Brazil, the boats are unlikely to encounter this zone of light winds for another
4 to 5 days and the weather may well have a few surprises in store for the crews
in the meantime.
“We have finally hit steadier breeze, but it took a while coming. Last night was
very light and we had less than 15 knots for several hours" indicated Michèle
when contacted earlier this afternoon. “Since this morning the wind has filled
in gradually and we've had between 20 and 23 knots for a few hours. The wind is
on the beam and conditions are quite uncomfortable as we're being shaken about a
lot and it's very wet on deck. The boat is heeled over well and it’s slamming in
the waves. We’re already missing the downwind and yet we’re not sailing upwind
yet! (laughs)
The wind is likely to be fairly steady for the next couple of days and then it
will gradually ease as we approach the high pressure. In the latest grib files
this zone had climbed northwards and looked a lot bigger. It is currently
situated off Brazil so we've still got a while to go yet before we get there.
This effectively means that these are long term forecasts right now and the
situation could evolve very quickly.”
Kate Jennings
Expression.
P.O. Box 26,
Dartmouth,
DEVON.
TQ6 0YG
United Kingdom
+44 (0)7795 116699
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