[November 29, 2000 - 6:03:03 PM]
The Big Blue Letter - 1600hrs UT
"It has been a fast couple of days since losing our handbrake
net from the keel. We covered 660 miles in 48hrs after that -
I was hungry to get back some miles and the boat was just
flying – a green blur on the oceaan surface! Boatspeed
hovered around 17-20kts for hours - great sailing though
everything was fully loaded. It was a worthwhile sprint as we
are now in striking distance of the group ahead - Sodebo,
Solidaire,UBP and Active Wear. We have slowed today as we
sail down the west side of the St Helene high pressure area
which really needs to bugger off back to St Helene where it
belongs and stop messing up this boat race!
"The breeze is due to shift to the north and then northwest as
we come around the back of the high, so in a couple of days
we should finally be able to angle south eastward and on to
the southern ocean with all its delights. Its nearly 3 weeks into
the race, in theory nearly a quarter of the total race duration. I
am so engrossed in things here that today I had to verify what
day it was to myself! Wednesday....that’s normally my day off
, I’m off to the beach for some windsurfing.
"During this rather excellent weather - clear skies, 25 degrees,
gentle breeze, I am taking the opportunity to check
everything and fix a few things. Thanks to some advise from
Brian and Mark on shore, we have solved a strange problem
with the pilot and one of the battery banks. Yesterday I spent
half the day stripping and repairing one of the water ballast
transfer valves that had broken. It was not the easiest of jobs
as we were gassing along at 18 knots at a 25 degree angle of
heel , but its done now. As I write the wind has shifted to the
north so it will be spinnaker action before long now. So....both
myself and the boat are in top form at the moment ...we are
both losing weight - me through eating this disgusting
dehydrated food, the boat through us burning diesel, drinking
water and eating the stores. I must ask Ollie where he put the
chickens and the wild hog, I am ready for a roast right now , in
another 70 days...
"I am enjoying following the success of Ipswich Town , my
home town football team - they are an incredible 3rd place in
the Premiership now and playing fantastic soccer - come on
you blues, and a hello to my Dad’s friends in the stand who I
know are following my progress. I’m off to drive this baby for
a bit to the beat of The Rolling Stones – today’s guest band
onboard.
Cheers, Josh"
[November 29, 2000 - 5:02:29 PM]
If it’s not one problem it’s another for Mike Golding (Team
Group 4): "There was 12 - 17 knots from the NE, which died
out this morning to 10 knots. It’s come back up since last
night and the seas are slowly becoming confused, so I am
quite close to the Doldrums. Now the wind is 12 knots from the
S/SE. I came up and changed from spinnaker to the Code 5
(sail), but now I’ll change back to the spinnaker. The sail
changes are pretty straight forward, the conditions are
reasonable.
"I’ve had autopilot failure which forced me in to testing the
second but previously untried pilot in uncommissioned mode.
One of the rams has gone down but I have 2 more so it’s not
a problem, it’s not dead and I can sort it out."
"My more immediate problem is with the water-maker, it’s
producing salty water and has contaminated a can of fresh
water. It’s probably the seals and I have a repair kit, but it’s a
complex job to replace the seals and I’m doing everything I
can, flushing and checking it, before ’surgery’, I’ll do anything
before putting a spanner to it.
"I’m trying to minimise the distance between me and the fleet
and shall cut corners to get into the game. So here’s a corner
and I’m going to cut it!" The forecast is for a good breeze
across the course, but I am coming close to an area with no
breeze. I shall stay away and may have to gybe to stay West
of 23 degrees."
[November 29, 2000 - 4:43:28 PM]
Josh Hall (EBP - Gartmore) changing his tactics.
The wind is from the ENE a bit lighter, 12/3 knots and the boat
isn’t going too fast right now, 10 knots. The sea is calm and
the sun is shining, and I have at least regained a good few
miles, so I am doing the maximum and am happy with my
position.
"I have had to change my tactic and to target the other boats
I am going for speed so I can stay in the same weather
system. In the next 2 days the wind will come from the North
and ease off a little to slow up the front guys.
"Life on board - well I have slept a lot yesterday evening,
which is good for the head, and after this call I shall make
myself a big omelette, the speciality of the boat."
[November 29, 2000 - 3:29:56 PM]
Waiting to hit the Westerlies - analysis by Philippe Jeantot
As the bulk of the international fleet in the Vendée Globe
2000 charge down the Southern Atlantic at great speed, the
trade winds generated by the St. Helen anticyclone have
thrown up the odd unforeseeable red traffic light. Dominique
Wavre (UBP) was the first skipper to describe this: « After a
squall passed over, all at once there was zero wind and for
several hours I was totally becalmed. » Michel Desjoyeaux
(PRB), despite making excellent progress in a more Southerly
heading than his nearest rivals, also reported that « overnight
there were several periods where the wind eased off, as we are
passing along the ridge of the anticyclone.»
For the moment the low pressure systems are very low down.
Around the high pressure system the wind will shift from North
East progressively to the North and then North West, at a
steady 15 – 20 knots, softening when the boats get closer to
its centre.
Leader of the pack still by approx. 150 miles, Yves Parlier
(Aquitaine Innovations) can nevertheless feel the hairs on the
back of his neck rising. He himself admitted today that « the
four boats right behind me are eagerly waiting for me to make
a mistake. » Among those four, is Catherine Chabaud
(Whirlpool), who celebrated her 38th birthday today and
received a « check list » as a present from her shore team.
She is now only separated by just over two degrees in
longitude to the East of fellow female competitor Ellen
MacArthur (Kingfisher) on this ‘highway’, nevertheless on
identical latitudes. Ellen follows the route of Desjoyeaux and
Jourdain (Sill Matimes La Potagere) as they curve round the
St. Helen anticyclone, whereas Catherine is forced on to a
straight route South to avoid adverse effects of the high
pressure system. The pace continues to be infernal, as the
fleet hurtle down the Atlantic at immense speed, obviously
exhausting for the skippers and an indication that the change
in weather systems will come fairly soon.
Bringing up the rear of the front 9 boats, Josh Hall (EBP –
Gartmore) has regained a better boat speed after his incident
with the fishing net. He admits to a change of tactic though
and to target the other boats ahead, is now going for
maximum speed in order to keep in the same weather
system. He indextains that «in the next two days the wind will
ease off to 10 knots coming from the North to slow the front
boats up a little.»
Mike Golding (Team Group 4) seems to be suffering one
problem after another, but nothing that the man can’t handle.
Today he recounted that his water-maker, like so many other
skippers, recently stopped working and has in fact
contaminated some fresh water supplies. Otherwise he is
finding the going steady, sailing in a 12 knot S/SE wind, 8
degrees North of the Equator, and to minimise the distance
between himself and the fleet he declared « if I can see a
corner, I’m going to cut it !»
For the leaders however, they are revving themselves up for
the roaring forties. Parlier, twice an unlucky veteran of this
race, is ambitious to enter his favourite part of the course: «
We will be exposed to the elements, gross waves, icebergs,
for a good month, all of which raises the blood, the game, the
excitement – it would be boring if there was no danger. »
For certain the Southern Ocean is history waiting to happen.
[November 29, 2000 - 12:30:36 PM]
Simone Bianchetti (Aquarelle.com) radio chat : "Today the
boat is on strike! I am going to write some poems, I can feel
a touch of breeze overhead, so today is for me. Otherwise all
is fine aboard I am keeping up the repairs and not pushing
the boat too much."
Simone took time to introduce his favorite toy: a Ferrari with a
very noisy engine (which we were lucky to hear over the sat
phone...) and he emphasized all the qualities of the Italian
black horse and drivers... all in french with italian accent...
"and when I eat pasta it’s like being at home!"
A happy Simone at sea!!! He was however a bit worried that he
didn’ managed to do a complete check-up in his mast during
his Doldrums’ crossing.
[November 29, 2000 - 12:26:01 PM]
Joé Seeten (Nord pas de Calais - Chocolats du Monde) : "I
am heading South still, not as fast as the best but that’s the
boat. In a week there won’t be such a difference between my
boat and the others. I have watched them take off for four
days now! It’s hard to see what those boats are capable off
when you are competitive yourself. But I have to find the right
rhythm for this boat, which is what I prepared myself to do
and yet when you see them disappear into the Southern
Hemisphere...I know that Michel’s boat can put in 100 - 120
miles a day more than me in the best conditions. At the
Equator, we all came together, like restarting again. Now the
pressure is going to ease off again and I am in my own race.
"The weather is still variable. But the boat and skipper: no
sweat! I have to prepare the boat for the harder conditions
ahead. I have to mentally prepare for getting aggravated by
the different elements approaching. But there is no question
of anxiety or apprehension about what is waiting for us. I
enjoy sailing in remote places."
Bernard Gallay (Voila.fr) : "Since yesterday, the wind has
stayed constant. I have the genoa and then the staysail up.
The wind rose over night and at dawn I couldn’t keep the
genoa up. I am going at 14 knots a bit closer to the wind. I
stayed constant. I have the genoa and then the staysail up.
The wind rose over night and at dawn I couldn’t keep the
genoa up. I am going at 14 knots a bit closer to the wind. I
stay inside to avoid a washing and read. I am waiting for
better conditions to work on deck more. The boat will become
more stable in 2 days when the weather is more favourable for
us. The waves should stop breaking over the deck.
Pasquale de Gregorio (Wind) : "It’s been an hour or two since
I have given up the idea of hitting the Brazilian coastline! I
am taking what comes and not going too quickly. The weather
isn’t so great, a bit cloudy up above. At least the Doldrums
are over, no more wind! I was tired at the start of the race but
now I am resting up a lot."
[November 29, 2000 - 12:23:41 PM]
Yves Parlier: "I wait impatiently for for the Westerlies, it’s my
favourite part of the race" speaks a skipper obsessed...
"I will hit the Westerlies in 2/3 days, I love this part of the
race, hurtling downwind at speed, you witness amazing skies,
incredible light and dark in contrast, the sight of albatross, the
vastness of the ocean, icebergs...but it’s also to anticipate the
arrival of a great wave which could overturn us, or an iceberg
or growler spotted too late...all of this raises the blood
pressure, raises the game, the excitement as well. If it was
just a motorway round it wouldn’t be so good. Here though we
are really exposed and I love that.
"Now, I am in a ridge of the St. Helen high pressure system
sometimes with speed sometimes in calm. I am on a beam
reach under spinnaker heading South. There is quite a big
swell, the sky is covered, and all is well on board. I have
repaired my anenometer and I’m ready to climb to the top of
the mast to work on the halyard. I have alread mounted the
strop and it shouldn’t break. The sea is not too bad so I have
to do it now as the mast is not moving a great deal.
"I promised myself I would start the race comfortably within
the fleet...But once out there I couldn’t stop myself from
hitting the pedal when I was slightly behind! So I guess I like
being in the lead! I know that my position isn’t infallible, I am
very aware that between now and Les Sables anything could
happen."
[November 29, 2000 - 11:33:47 AM]
Michel Desjoyeaux (PRB) is surfing the waves...
"It’s a sunny day, the boat is surfing well at 15/16 knots, it’s
quite nice. Now we are going round the high pressure, we
should gain in the East, I am waiting for a low pressure which
would allow me to accelerate. I sometimes go up to 20 knots.
It’s cooler inside the boat and I take this opportunity to check
everything, I’d like to climb up in the mast but I’ll wait for the
sea to flatten down a bit. I am trying to re-arrange everything
inside but since the start in Les Sables d’Olonne, everything is
tied onto something somewhere so I shouldn’t bother"!
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