20.12.2008
Temenos II reaches some more welcoming latitudes
This evening at 42 degrees South, the future is looking brighter for
Dominique and Temenos II now out of the influence of the train of austral
lows. Since yesterday, the skipper has managed to pass through the solid
cold front by taking great care of the damaged appendage. Despite winds of
over 35 knots and big 6 metre seas, Dominique had managed to dampen the
boat’s motion sufficiently thanks to a good choice of sail area, filled
ballast tanks and regular adjustments to his course according to the wind
shifts, thus avoiding excessive heeling. It is worth recalling here that too
steep an angle on the keel, which is now deprived of any lateral restraint,
could seriously damage the boat’s hull at any point.
Initially under-canvassed, making headway at a reduced pace, Dominique very
quickly realised that, “up to a certain point, speed was a guarantee of
stability”. Indeed the skipper has concluded that “it helps the boat stay
upright; in the Indian there is always this cross swell and ultimately, by
going fast, the boat is supported and is prevented from being tossed around
too much by the waves.”
Currently approaching a ridge of high pressure, the wind is easing and the
monohull has seen its progress slowed. In driving rain, in a S’ly wind not
in excess of ten knots, Temenos II can now make easting towards Australia.
Helped along by a conciliatory weather forecast, and flatter seas, Dominique
is monitoring his boat with the greatest vigilance and care. As the miles go
by the skipper recognised that he was “regaining trust in his boat”.
Even though the keel reindexs damaged, Dominique was relieved to feel “the
immediate danger dissipating”. The skipper was even managing to get back
into the daily routine of a solo sailor aboard his boat, with the exception
that, now he is out of the race, he can proceed with a few slight
adjustments. Dominique still has nearly a month and a half of food aboard
so he now has a choice of menu, or indeed menus, given that the skipper
admitted to having a massive appetite.
“It’s funny, I’m constantly hungry. My body must be in the process of
recuperating. I’m making the most of my large stock of food to rummage
through all the bags and take what I like! In addition I left Kerguelen with
some bread, jam, oranges and some mutton from the islands, which I’m
roasting in a pan. It’s delicious!”
However, the skipper recognises that he’s left the Kerguelen archipelago
with a lot more than just food. Time spent here clearly makes its mark. “It
was an emotional moment leaving the island. I spent a long time thanking all
the people who helped me. I hoisted the TAAF flag up the shrouds, the Marion
Dufresne sounded her horn and all her crew came out on deck to wave me off.
It was three days of exceptional human solidarity and a real sense of
brotherhood. The people on site were extraordinary. They boosted my spirits
and I was straightaway adopted and pampered by these exceptional people.”
Concerned about the state of health of Yann Elies, victim of a fractured
femur yesterday morning, Dominique has been regularly getting news about how
the skipper of Generali is doing. As such it was with great relief that he
learnt that a hospital frigate from the Australian navy is making for the
zone.
Around every hour, Dominique is compelled to carry out regular checks on the
keel, even though the skipper recognised that it was the boat’s movements
above all which was the best indicator of an anomaly.
“I’m not sailing on flat waters yet. There is still a swell so I’m being
careful. I’m making sure that there’s no water ingress, or any play in the
pivot point, but they’re just very quick little rounds to assess the
situation. The rescue services from Reunion Island have stopped calling
since this morning and I’ve entered into the Australian surveillance zone.
If I have any problems it’s them I have to contact but I am confident I
won’t have to!”
Though yesterday Temenos II was managing to rack up some good average
speeds, she still had 1,700 miles to go to reach land, a distance her
skipper hoped to be able to cover in 7 to 9 days. Tomorrow, Temenos II
should pass fairly close to Gitana Eighty, the latter under jury rig since
her dismasting. It’s likely to be a fairly brief affair though because, with
a wobbly keel but his mast still aloft, Dominique clearly has the edge. With
Gitana Eighty and Ecover, there will be three boats due into Fremantle.
“We’re going to have a little secondary Vendée Globe in Fremantle!” joked
Dominique when questioned by the Race HQ. He concluded by alluding to the
numerous messages of support he was continuing to receive: “It’s really good
to know that people are continuing to think about us even though we’re out
of the race.”
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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