27.11.2008
Sunday atmosphere aboard Temenos II
Although the reduction in the deficits of those at the heart of the leading
group has unquestionably been one of the most significant events of this
18th day of racing, (the top 9 boats within 61 miles at midday), it is also
accompanied by a reduction in pace for the frontrunners. Speeds below 9
knots have put in an appearance within the rankings again as the leaders hit
the buffer zone marking the approach to the Saint Helena High. Now at the
mercy of their elected courses, their paths may well cross a squall, of
which there are a vast number on zone, with a reduced pace and lost miles
guaranteed. This is most likely the case for Loick Peyron, who was polled
making 4.3 knots at midday and has this evening yielded his leadership
position.
Tactics over the next 48 hours promise to be just as complicated, and the
downwind conditions will be playing hard to get. As a result, spells of calm
are on the menu for now. Aboard the boats, any reefs have been shaken out
and the genoas hoisted, but most important of all, is the fact that the
still slightly messy seas hitting them head on have finally eased, as
Dominique indicated when contacted this afternoon.
"The waves coming straight at us have calmed now. It's still pretty much all
over the place and it's choppy but the seas aren't very big. Conditions
really improved last night. There was around fifteen knots of breeze on the
beam, the pilots were doing their job well and I was able to recuperate.
Then at daybreak this morning the wind eased and headed. I hoisted all the
sail aloft and adjusted the trim, and then I helmed to get the boat nicely
balanced. There's 13 knots of wind and the sun has put in a brief appearance
which is very pleasant. I really enjoy helming in these conditions. You can
pretty much bet that if we don't make the most of the sun now, we certainly
won't be able to over the next month. I've also benefited from the
conditions to make a thorough inspection of the boat and then have a little
siesta followed by a good meal. Compared with recent days this is like a
summer holiday! We're beginning to need a light fleece at night, but it's
still very warm. It's a good day for recuperating and doing a spot of DIY. I
spoke with Brian (Thompson) and we were saying that it was like a Sunday at
home!"
And though the skippers are benefiting from the mild conditions to relax a
little, we can imagine that in light of the meteorological brain-teaser
taking shape ahead of the bows of their monohulls, this won't be the case
for their little grey cells. "You really get the feeling that you're heading
into a zone where there will be less wind. There are clouds of all shapes
and sizes in the sky, which is an indicator of some intense weather
activity. I'm studying the weather a great deal at the moment. I've set
myself a position to pass through the core of the high pressure. The
situation is still complicated. There are two zones of high pressure. One is
evacuating itself towards the east, and the other is forming in the west.
It's imperative that we avoid falling into it and also avoid the squalls,
which could stop us in our tracks. It's not easy though as not everything is
visible in the satellite images."
The next two or three days are likely to involve various switches in pace
for the fleet. By shifting across to the west, Dominique hoped to encounter
better conditions than the frontrunners. "I'm not too displeased about my
position for the time being. I hope to have a slightly more favourable
breeze than those further east. It's an interesting situation and the race
is exciting, but a small part of our performance will be down to luck. We
should see what's what this weekend."
Translated by Kate Jennings - Expression
|
