22.11.2008
Temenos II makes the switch to the southern hemisphere
On this 13th day of racing, it's still the same mantra aboard the top
fifteen boats in the fleet. Wedged upwind, for the next four stays at least,
the boats are slamming into the waves, making living conditions onboard a
little uncomfortable. However, the skippers questioned at today's radio
session seemed to be getting used to it and are benefiting from the
steadiness of the tradewind air flow to rest. "There's not a lot you can do"
admitted the leader Loick Peyron.
Contacted at midday by Race HQ, Dominique confirmed: "It's fairly calm. We
have around fifteen knots of breeze. We're being a bit shaken about by the
waves close-hauled but the boats pretty much sail themselves in these types
of conditions."
Not in the least surprised by the presence of some small islands across his
course, which have visibly already been a source of curiosity to the skipper
in the past, Dominique was even able to provide some details about them:
"It's the rocks of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul; little islands which have
appeared in the middle of nowhere. It's hard to imagine anything more remote
than that. They are very small and covered with birds. It's somewhat
illogical to imagine a totally wild life in the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean. I wasn't able to see them; I was too far off for that.
Aboard the boats the passage of the equator by the leading group was
celebrated in various ways, by day, by night, by toasting Neptune's health
for some, away with the sandman for others. Aboard Temenos II "nothing very
special" was planned for this umpteenth entry into the southern hemisphere;
the last one dating back to a year ago during the Barcelona World Race. This
rite of passage gives a concrete expression to the first passage in a
sailor's life, and as an amused Dominique confirmed, "there aren't many
rookies aboard Temenos II; it's not the first time the crew or the boat have
crossed it!"
Staying clear of the ceremonial aspect of the switch of hemisphere, it was
with a 'respectful salute' to the elements, and increased attention to the
numbers on the onboard GPS that Dominique made the slightly special
crossover. At 1225 GMT, the skipper confirmed his entry into the southern
hemisphere to his shore crew.
The Saint Helena High is the next obstacle lying in wait for the fleet. For
the time being, a glance at the latest weather forecasts reveals that the
current situation is straying away from the beaten tracks somewhat. Under
the influence of a low situated off the Brazilian coast, the Saint Helena
high is splitting in two, which isn't going to help the boats. "The future's
not straightforward. I still don't have a very clear view of what the
weather has in store for us next week, but I'm working on it at the chart
table."
Out the front, the leaders are getting away from the chasing pack a little,
thanks to a more E'ly position, which is providing them with a better angle
on the wind. Aboard Temenos II, Dominique was applying himself to sailing as
close to the wind as possible in order to shift across to the east slightly
and thus distance himself from the possible influence of the Brazilian
coast.
Translated by Kate Jennings - Expression
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