11.11.2010
BATTLE FOR PODIUM POSITIONS RAMPS UP AS VELUX 5 OCEANS RACERS NEAR CAPE TOWN
Derek Hatfield and Chris Stanmore-Major lock horns as leg one finish line approaches
WITH less than 2,300 nautical miles to go to the finish line, the competition for a podium position in the first leg of the VELUX 5 OCEANS is as hot as ever. While Brad Van Liew on Le Pingouin and Zbigniew Gutkowski on Operon Racing fight it out for first place, a similar battle is raging between Derek Hatfield and Chris Stanmore-Major for third.
British skipper Chris, 33, has reduced Derek’s lead over him by more than 200 nautical miles in the last week and is now within touching distance of the Canadian’s Eco 60 yacht Active House. The pressure is now on Derek, 57, to protect his lead in the final sprint of the first leg and take a podium position.
The latest position report put Derek 2,100 nautical miles from Cape Town with Chris 220 miles behind. In the last 24 hours Derek covered 261.2 nautical miles compared to Chris’ 275.4nm. However Derek’s average speed in the 30 minutes before the last position report was logged at 12.1 knots, with Chris travelling slightly slower at an average of 11.4 knots.
“I’m watching Chris over my shoulder and he’s getting ever so close,” Derek said this morning. “I’m really pushing hard to try to stay ahead of him and keep third place. There’s not much chance of catching Brad and Gutek now but with the high pressure system in between here and Cape Town it’s all to play for. Anything could happen, so I keep pushing hard.”
But all the while Derek is being hunted by Chris and his Eco 60 Spartan. After more than three rollercoaster weeks at sea, the British skipper is getting to grips with his 60ft racing machine and enjoying his first solo ocean racing.
“Since leaving La Rochelle I have learnt so much about sailing these boats and about solo sailing,” Chris said. “A week ago I was about 360 miles behind a week ago but through pushing hard and thanks to a break in the weather this morning I am now 124 miles behind. It’s a big change and there’s the slimmest of chances appearing that I can compete for third place coming into Cape Town which is really exciting.
“I think it could be a bit of a drag race to the finish line between me and Derek. If we continue as we’re going it will be tight. It’s now a case of pushing the boat and trying to get the miles covered quickly as possible and get ahead of Derek before Cape Town. I’ve got 2,500 miles in which to make up 120 miles so it’s not impossible.”
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