11 November 2008
BT in the leading pack after 48 devastating hours for the Vendée Globe fleet
In brief
- Carnage in the fleet with 3 boats dismasted and a total of 9 returns to port
- BT withstands the storm and sticks with the leaders
- From survival mode to racing mode
- Read all about Cape Finisterre here
- Partner of the Day: Musto
Click below to watch all videos: http://www.btsebjosse.com/video.asp http://www.btsebjosse.com/video.asp
In Detail:
With a third dismasting this morning (Marc Thiercelin, DCNS), the 2008 Vendée Globe has reached an impressive level of carnage within the first 48 hours at sea. Having just passed Cape Finisterre in 6th position, Sébastien Josse aboard BT is less than 15 miles away from the leader, and perfectly handled the horrendous conditions generated by the cold front. More than 50 knots of wind and 7-metres waves, the Bay of Biscay lived up to its fearsome reputation!
They all knew a storm was on the cards in the Bay of Biscay, nevertheless its ferocity struck most of the skippers. Sébastien Josse, still in the leading pack this morning, explained: "I'm really not surprised by the amount of damage in the fleet, the conditions were extremely tough on the gear. It has been tiring and pretty stressful, but everything held on fine and I'm in good shape, sailing in 15 knots of breeze with the spinnaker up, after having had up to 3 reefs in the index."
It is now a matter of exploiting the boat's potential after having been in survival mode, even if the residual chaotic seas still do not allow for a smooth ride. The race towards the North East Trade Winds is on, and BT is now sailing at 12 knots, chosing to reindex on the eastern fringe of the leading pack, windward of Vincent Riou (in 4th place), and just behind second-placed Loïck Peyron."There is a bit more pressure in the east and the angle is a bit better, we're going around the anticyclone and hopefully I'll hit the Trades tomorrow", explains the skipper of BT, happy to be in his position.
Cape Finisterre, at the end of the world
This rocky tip marks the exit of the Bay of Biscay for the sailors setting off around the planet from Les Sables d'Olonne, and takes its name from the Latin Finis Terrae, literally the end of the world. The same etymological origin gave birth to the name of Brittany's westernmost county - Finistère - and England's Land's End is of course a direct translation of the original expression. Full story here http://www.btsebjosse.com/feature-articles.asp?sid=17966
Partner of the Day: Musto
The exclusive supplier of Technical Sailing Clothing to Offshore Challenges Sailing Team.
Ellen, Nick, Seb and the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team rely exclusively on Musto foulweather clothing systems to keep them warm, dry and comfortable. Musto clothing is the brand of choice when performance is needed in extreme conditions and the products are worn by teams and competitors in the highest profile and most demanding Ocean Racing events in the world, including The Volvo Ocean Race and The Vendee Globe.
Musto has sponsored Ellen from her very first solo 'adventure' in 1995, around Britain, resulting in a strong partnership that has continued ever since.
Musto are also proud sponsors of The Artemis Transat and iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series.
High-resolution images of the BT Open 60 are now available for download via the media website http://www.btsebjosse.com.
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For further information on the BT Team Ellen contact:
Julie Royer
BT Team Ellen Communications Manager
Email: julie.royer@ocgroup.com
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