Sailing Networks News

Contact made with Le Cam

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:34:00 GMT

At 1421 (GMT) Vincent Riou on PRB arrived at the scene of VM Matériaux’s capsize. Riou reported that he found the yacht floating upside down, missing its keel bulb, but a small ‘flag’ was visible at one of the through-hull fittings on the bow of the upturned yacht. Riou shouted for Le Cam and heard a response from the French skipper inside the capsized boat.
The stern of VM Matériaux, where there is an emergency escape hatch, is underwater.
A Chilean naval tug has also been sent to aid the rescue effort. The tug left Puerto Williams at 12h30 GMT and is due to reach the area tomorrow morning at 06h30. The tug is equipped with a RIB and divers to assist in recovering the skipper.

© François Van Malleghem / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Sailing by the numbers

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:00 GMT

In his daily blog Felipe explained his latest calculations. “This morning it was still blowing as usual at around 40 knots and we are 51 miles from the Germans,” he wrote. “We have closed the gap again since the last poll. We have approximately 10 days until we reach Wellington which means we need to deduct just six miles per day to win this race. It is difficult, but not impossible. These Germans sailors are very, very good and I have to say that it is an honour and a privilege to compete against them.”

Ever secretive about the sail combinations they have up at any given time in case Boris and Felix Google Translate their Spanish blogs into German, Felipe’s blog continued. “In the penultimate report they were faster than us and we were forced to take urgent measures which fortunately has resulted in an increase of almost two knots of boat speed. I cannot say what we did in case Boris gets to read this, but if they want to come to Chile after the race I will tell them then. We have been sailing with a spinnaker up in a combination that is medium to high risk to our sails. We knew that we were pushing the limit and with just one accidental broach we would lose our spinnaker. The sailing was very hard and very stressful, but it worked and we not only regained the lost miles, but we took some additional miles out of them.”

To the south and slightly ahead things seem more relaxed on Beluga Racer. Co-skippers Boris and Felix know that they are being pushed but are taking it all in stride. In his daily blog Boris explained their tactics. “We are sailing a Great Circle course to Wellington,” he wrote. Great Circle being the shortest distance between two points in a spherical surface. “Our course is actually more to the south than indicated on the Race Tracker. We are adjusting our course all the time to sail as close to the Great Circle as possible and this is paying off. Cabo de Hornos is sailing to the north of us and although they are actually sailing faster than us, they have to sail more distance and we are able to stay in the lead.”

In the grand scheme of things the gains and losses are minimal. Felipe and José are pushing hard from behind, a good place to be when you need to want to put some undue pressure on your competition. At the front Boris and Felix are sailing their race like the dinghy sailors they are. As if to prove the point that they are sailing with as much precision as they can, Boris sent a short email to Race HQ when he passed the eastern end of the Ice Gate. “We passed the Gate 2 East today at 10:34:21 UTC with a distance of 1 mile to the north. We have 25 knots of wind and are going on starboard tack under Code 5 and mainsail.” German precision indeed.

Felipe Cubillos at the helm

GREEN DRAGON ANNOUNCE NEW CREW AHEAD OF IN PORT RACE

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:34:00 GMT

Also re-joining Green Dragon for the In Port race will be America’s Cup sailors David Carr and Julian Cressant, both sailed onboard during the In Port racing in Alicante. Regular crew members Ian Moore and Tom Braidwood also return after their break from the previous leg.

Ian Budgen (GBR)
Ian joins Green Dragon with over 13 years of professional sailing to his name. He begun his career by dominating the Laser 5000 circuit. In 1997 Ian moved on to an Olympic 49-er campaign achieving second at the 1998 World Championships in Bandol. In 2000 Ian joined GBR Challenge (The British America’s Cup syndicate) as a trimmer sailing with the campaign throughout the Louis Vuitton series. Ian also has extensive experience on the TP52 circuit, which includes sailing onboard Lexus-Atalanti with America’s Cup skipper Russell Coutts and as tactician onboard l’Oreal CEO Sir Lindsay Owen Jones’ Magic Carpet 2.

In 2006 Ian signed up with Paul Cayard and the crew onboard Pirates of the Caribbean for the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race. As a helmsman and trimmer he joined the team in Rio, sailing the remaining legs of the race, including winning the final leg to Gothenburg. This leg win cemented Pirates place on the podium where they finished second overall.

Volvo Ocean Race Experience
2005/06 Pirates of the Caribbean

America’s Cup
2000 – 2003 GBR Challenge

Q&A Ian Budgen
Ian Walker was looking to find someone to replace Damian who was stepping down for this leg, so he got in touch and asked me if I would like to come along! Obviously this isn’t my ideal choice of leg for just popping in, but it will be great to be back and involved and I am looking forward to getting back out and sailing a Volvo 70.

Had you been looking to be part of a campaign this time around?
I have but it has been quite difficult for one reason or another, but I’m really glad to be here now and to be involved. And we will see where it goes from here.

How well do you know the other guys onboard?
I have a lot of good friends on the boat, Anthony Merrington was on Pirates, Justin Slattery is a good friend as is Ian Moore, alongside Ian Walker and Neal McDonald there are maybe only a couple of people on the boat who I haven’t sailed with at some time or another, so it will be great to step in amongst friends.

What have you been doing since the last race, how have you been keeping yourself busy?
I am still sailing professionally; I have been pretty busy since the last race. When the last race finished I stepped straight onto a TP52 that was skippered by Russell Coutts, which was fantastic. Since then I have basically spent the last two years doing tactics on a couple of boats one was a Wally called Magic Carpet 2, and also on the Swan 601 Spirit of Jethou for Sir Peter Ogden.

It is a tough leg ahead from Singapore, but you will be onboard Green Dragon seeing it back to one of their two home ports on this race, are you looking forward to it?
Yeah that will be fantastic. I have looked at the weather and every time I log onto the website it is always upwind. Wherever you are on the course the wind seems to just come from Qingdao. The frightening bit is that for the last few days it is going to be very cold. Ten days ago the weather at Qingdao was -1C during the day and -11C at night, with 20 – 25 knots on the nose, and snow! Boats are a big enough handful when they are warm, but when its cold and you have to wear all the gear it becomes even more complicated and difficult.

Confirmed Green Dragon crew list for Leg 4
Skipper: Ian Walker (GBR)
Watch Leader: Anthony Merrington (AUS)
Watch-leader: Neal McDonald (GBR)
Navigator: Ian Moore (IRL)
Bowman: Justin Slattery (IRL)
Pit/Trimmer: Tom Braidwood (AUS)
Pit/Trim/Helm: Ian Budgen (GBR)
Bowman/Trimer/Pitman: Andrew Mclean (NZ)
Driver/Trimmer/ Sailmaker: Phil Harmer (AUS)
Bowman: Freddy Shanks (GBR)
Media Crew Member: Guo Chuan (CHN)

On their way… French skippers update

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:50:00 GMT

Latest news is that the tanker Sanangol Kassagie is alongside VM Matériaux but unable to launch a rescue boat due to the sea state. Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) and Vincent Riou (PRB) expect to be on the scene in around four hours, around 15h (GMT). News from Armel and Alain Gautier, plus updates from the latest press conference, below…

French skippers’ broadcast:
4th – Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air): 25-30 knots SW’ly gusting to 35-40, 3-4 m high waves, series of squalls. Currently 55 miles from VM Matérieux so reckons it will take him four hours to reach the spot. The priority is getting there as quickly as possible and following instructions from Race Directors. Conditions should allow him to get there without too much difficulty. It’s about 4°C, sea temp 5°. Is in constant conversation with Vincent Riou.
Alain Gautier: Armel’s presence is important as it’s not certain that the oil tanker can lower a boat into the water, and Vincent’s engine not working. They are not sure whether it is a keel or daggerboards that are still in place as the pilot of the plane is not certain. Worth remembering that it may be possible for a boat to recover Jean from his yacht — as happened with Pete Goss-Raphael Dinelli in the 1996 Vendée Globe and with Loick Peyron and Vincent Riou in The Transat.
9th – Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Waiting for news of Jean. Calm seas meaning sailing is pleasant. Not too cold either. Will have to gybe tomorrow to pass Ice Gate. Hasn’t used his legs much so they are feeling weak, but otherwise feels fine.

Press conference:
Philippe de Villiers (President of the Vendée Council): Because of rough seas, the captain of the oil tanker can only stay alongside, but not launch a boat. Chilean authorities requesting tanker stays there. Armel and Vincent should arrive at 16h. No more news of Jean. Plane to fly over again hoping to take picture to see whether keel in place or not
Denis Horeau (Race Director): Patience required as seas likely to remain rough. Race direction in constant contact with Armel and Vincent. The rescue is likely to take longer than they hoped. No direct contact between Jean and oil tanker. MRCC Punta Arenas in charge of operations in collaboration with French and Chilean authorities.
Alain Gautier (Safety consultant): On the IMOCA 60s the phones are inside an emergency kit, but considering the boat is upside down it may not be easy to find. Because of sea conditions Le Cam may have decided to stay inside.

© / Vendée Globe

VM Matériaux spotted

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:43:00 GMT

The yacht is reported to be upside down, however it is not clear whether the keel is still attached.
The cargo vessel Sanangol Kassagie, a 180-tonne petrol tanker, diverted to the scene is currently less than one mile from VM Matériaux’s location and has also got the yacht in sight.
No contact has yet been made with VM Matériaux, however the yacht’s second EPIRB was activated at 0850 (GMT) this morning.
Conditions in the area are believed to be winds of 25-30 knots, gusting 40, with a rough sea state of 4-5m. The captain of the Sanangol Kassagie is understood to be working out best to assist Le Cam.
Vincent Riou (PRB), one of two skippers diverted to assist VM Matériaux, reported that he was talking to Le Cam when there was a strange noise on board VM Matériaux. Le Cam was inside the yacht and contacted his shore team indicating that he thought the boat was about to capsize.

© François Van Malleghem / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Day 58 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe – Sam Davies’ daily log - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:39:00 GMT

Yesterday I had lighter winds which enabled me to do a thorough check all over Roxy, inside, underwater and on deck, before our last run into the Horn. All seems well and Roxy and I are in good shape!

Today started well, as the wind began to build and our speed crept once again above 15 knots and the daggerboard began to sing again! I’ve been working on the sail trim and other settings to get max speed. Good thing number two!

The third good thing today is that I’m really hungry and I just haven’t stopped eating, which is good because I haven’t been hungry for ages and now I know I am getting the energy I need.

The fourth good thing (linked to the third) is that I managed to fiddle around with my 5 Euro lightweight toaster and get it to make toast with my magic Sodebo longlife bread! I LOVE toast!!

The fifth good thing (also linked to 3 and 4) is that whilst rummaging in the “week 9” section of my food bag I found a present – a CD called “The Girls” – full of cheesy girly songs!!! So for the first time in the whole race (I normally listen to my i-pod) I put the music on full blast on the loudspeakers (inside and out)! It is a great feeling to blast out classics such as “Girls Just Wanna have Fun”, “Smile”, and “I’m So Excited”, as Roxy hoons across the Southern Ocean at 17 knots. However, this has meant that we have been getting very strange looks from the Albatrosses, as it is pretty unusual to see a crazy blonde chick leaping around the deck, karaoke-style, in the Southern Ocean!

Thank goodness it’s only the albatrosses that can see and hear us. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!

S x

At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 5th position, 1,938 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia

As fast as possible

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:04:00 GMT

Approximately 200 miles in west of Cape Horn, between 56° 17’ South and 73° 46’ West Jean Le Cam’s EPIRB was activated this Tuesday at 02h40 (French time). Immediately, the Chilean and French maritime rescue services (MRCC) were alerted and a 180-tonne tanker has been diverted to the scene, it should be in the area around 11.30 (French hour). A Chilean plane has also been dispatched to fly over the position of VM Matériaux. Lastly, the two competitors closest to Jean Le Cam — Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Cléac’h (Brit Air)— are heading towards the position. Approximately 200 miles north-west at the time of the distress call, they should be in the area around 13-14h (French hour).

Of the racing skippers, in first place Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) was briefly slowed yesterday by light winds in the Le Maire Straits but has picked up speed again overnight to stretch a lead of over 106 miles to second-placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment).
The other skipper to have picked up speed overnight is Sam Davies (Roxy, GBR), who has put in the best 24-hour distance of over 414 miles. Roxy has gained nearly 100 miles on the leaders and is now through the East Pacific Gate, headed for Cape Horn. Her nearest rival, Marc Guillemot (Safran) is over 300 miles behind but should pick up new breeze this evening with a new low coming from the west to bring fresh northerlies.

© Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Le Cam: rescue teams set up

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:23:00 GMT

A cargo ship and a plane are on their way to the area to intervene as quickly as possible.
Chile is three hours behind GMT: in Punta Arenas, the sun goes down at 22h (local time, or 01h GMT) and comes up at 05h30 (local time, or 08h30 GMT). It was therefore dark where Jean Le Cam was located (200 miles west of the Horn) when his distress beacon was triggered at 01h40 (GMT).
The MRCC (Intrnational Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre) contacted a cargo ship 65 miles from the position of VM Matériaux, as identified by the Sarsat-Cospas beacon: the ship is expected to reach the area at around 10h30 GMT. A Chilean spotter plane is being prepared to head for the zone at daybreak, at around 08h30 (GMT).
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

© François Van Malleghem / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Jean Le Cam in difficulty

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:18:00 GMT

Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) was able to telephone his shore team in France to inform that he was experiencing serious difficulties on board his monohull. It was possible that he was capsizing, as the phone went dead at that point. The boat was located at 56° 17’ S and 73° 46’ W, or around 200 miles West of Cape Horn. At the time, the weather conditions were generating 25-knot westerly to south-westerly winds with stronger gusts.

Immediately the MRCC (International Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) was alerted and Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) have changed course to go to the zone where Jean Le Cam was sailing: They should reach this zone at around 13h (GMT). The Sarsat-Cospas distress beacon on the monohull was triggered at 01h40 (GMT). The rescue services are preparing to intervene and the plan of action will be updated as information is received by the Race Directors. A special news flash will be issued at 06h GMT.

© JEAN MARIE LIOT / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Skirting South America

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:23:00 GMT

Smooth seas, easy sailing, even some sun: skippers across the fleet were reporting a respite in conditions today, but it has to be said, not all of them sounded that happy about it…
For Michel Desjoyeaux, who joined in this morning’s radio broadcasts with a video link on board Foncia just off the coast of South America, the visibly eased conditions have brought a sudden deceleration. This afternoon Foncia, skirting close to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, has been averaging less than eight knots and her 24-hour distance has dropped below 300 miles for the first time in nearly 10 days.
The result of this is that the chasing pack has compressed once again, Roland Jourdain is now 76 miles back on Veolia Environment, from a deficit of 120 this morning. This evening third-placed Jean Le Cam is around 350 miles away from Cape Horn.
The duo of Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h have also taken around 70 miles out of Mich Desj’s lead in the past 24 hours, and are themselves separated by less than 3.5 miles after 57 days of racing! These two are still the fastest boats on the course — PRB sailing at 16 knots and BritAir clocking the highest mileage of the fleet, at 374.9 miles.
While Le Cam, Riou and Le Cléac’h are sailing in changeable 25-35 knot conditions to make good headway, further back in the fleet several boats were stuck in small high pressure zones and for many the frustration was clear to hear in this morning’s radio vacations. Whilst the skippers are universally agreed that the Pacific has been kinder to the fleet than the Indian Ocean, any windless or slow zones must surely add to the massive challenges of being 7,000, 8,000 or 10,000 miles from home, no longer racing for a trophy — or even against a near rival given the number of retirements — but only against the daily scheds and yourself.
Sam Davies on Roxy (GBR) has slowed in a light winds zone, and now has a 260-mile buffer from Marc Guillemot on Safran, who has been sailing consistently rapidly for the past day. Mixed news for both boats, as they received notification of their redress for assisting in the rescue of Yann Elies today, but Marc Guillemot also reported that a pit-stop is looking inevitable for Safran to repair the main track.
In ninth position Dee Caffari (Aviva, GBR) reported fair weather sailing conditions, but is sailing on the unfavourable gybe for her damaged mainsail, while Steve White (Toe in the Water, GBR, 11th) has been enjoying ideal conditions for the past couple of days, which have now given way to a less stable wind pattern.
The twelfth competitor, Rich Wilson (Great American III, USA) has become the latest boat to cross the international dateline.

Skippers update in English:

1st – Michel Desjoyeaux, Foncia (FRA): It’s good news because the last time was in the Atlantic I was not the first! I was far from this position, so I’ve worked hard during the past one and half months to come back into the Atlantic in this position, but my interest is not to be in this position at this moment but a few weeks later, if you see what I mean!
The wind was still quite strong yesterday when I crossed the Cape, it was 35-40 knots up to 45-48, quite lumpy, but anyway it was downwind and I had two reefs in the main and the trysail and it was okay to gybe near the Cape — I think I was less than one mile from the Cape, but it was night so I was not able to appreciate the show!
The weather is now quite smooth, small waves, less than 10 knots of soft wind from the south-west so I have a gennaker to go downwind in Le Maire Straits to go north. We don’t know exactly how we will go up to the St Helena High pressure.

6th – Sam Davies, Roxy (GBR): I’ve been finding the light winds all over the South Pacific and I’ve just found another spot, but it shouldn’t last for too long. Already the wind’s coming back but it’s quite forward of the beam which means Roxy’s not at her fastest, but that should change in the next few hours.
For me Yann’s safety was the most important and I didn’t actually know when the Jury would make the decision over the time redress, so it’s good to hear and I think they’ve been more than fair with allocated time. Although it’s impossible to tell how much you’ve actually lost because you never know what weather system you might have been able to catch up with. But I kind of hope that the result on the water will stay the real result rather than places changing because of time penalties or time redress, because that’s always a much more fun way to do it! So hopefully those hours won’t make any difference. I kind of think that Safran’s in front of me anyway, but we’ll see!

9th – Dee Caffari, Aviva (GBR): I had a glorious day, and the night was promising but then the wind dropped. But it’s really nice so I celebrated by washing my hair — that was incredible! It’s really calmed down, just the wind’s a little light and indecisive, but it’s making for a lot more gentle sailing.
It’s really nice – rather than just going from one end of an ocean to another – to have stages to pass, it just makes [the time] pass much easier, so one more gate to go and then the big hand-brake turn! To have other people around and to have stages kind of fills it up, whereas I was down here last time for three months, it felt like I was just fighting depression after depression, so it’s a very different race.

11th – Steve White, Toe in the Water (GBR): It’s been absolutely ideal, we’ve just had really stable conditions and been reaching along quite nicely without needing to do anything at all really, it’s really easy sailing and eating miles up quite fast too. At the moment the wind’s all over the shop, I’m doing a very wiggly course because it can’t quite make its mind up. But we’re heading roughly in the right direction so I’m happy enough, I’ll take it however it comes. It’s really quite nice, it makes a very pleasant change from being beaten to death with 50 knots every other day!
I can only see the top bit of the boat, but that looks okay, it’s washed fairly clean on a regular basis. Downstairs is a bit in chaos — it’s quite like a student flat at the moment, I’m trying to dry out a load of things so there’s clothing spread all over the place, bits of the gooseneck repair and I had some plumbing to do, but I’m gradually tidying up. The sails look good as new, other than the fact that some of the branding has got a bit faded, so we’re in pretty good shape really.

12th – Rich Wilson, Great American III (USA): We’ve had a good day today, pretty good speeds and the seas are calming down — I don’t quite know what to do with smooth seas, it’s been so long since we’ve had them it’s kind of a novelty. We’ve been across the Campbell Plateau which is a shallow area, and then into a deeper area, and now we’re up onto the Bounty Platform which is another shallow area, and can’t help but think it has something to do with Captain Blyth’s Bounty down here in the south seas so we’re looking for history wherever we can find it. I’ve just got the iPod but I know that Loick Peyron was reading plenty of books, that was pretty impressive. It would be interesting to find out what his schedule on the boat is to know how he does that.
I had a rudder kick up this morning, it was actually the windward rudder which is unusual, but I don’t think we hit anything, I think it was just got hit by a wave. But it showed that the new fuse system that we have would work and the fuse would actually break , but also gave us the chance to inspect the pad-eye that is back there for the fairlead that holds the rudder down because most of the time it’s submerged. I could see a rust spot which gave me some concern that we might have had a bad piece of metal back there, but it looks kind of sturdy.

© François Van Malleghem / DPPI / Vendée Globe

Day 57 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe – Sam Davies’ daily log - My incredible singing boat

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:17:00 GMT

Today is a quiet day on board Roxy as we are flirting with another ridge of high pressure that is located around the next ice gate. Our new occupation seems to be to find all the parts of the Pacific with light wind – there is another one right here!

When I say a quiet day, I do mean it. Out here we get accustomed to the noise made by an Open 60, but when I was describing it to a friend, it made me realise that it is actually quite loud – most people think it’s a bit of a din!

To give you an idea, over and above the general vibrations of water crashing around at 20 knots past a carbon hull, yesterday Roxy was making several other noises:

- The daggerboard sings in a fairly high-pitched sound, which changes pitch every time Roxy accelerates over 18 knots – it’s almost happy to announce that we’re going really fast! The bobstay (cable under the bowsprit) also vibrates with a low pitch each time Roxy stuffs her nose into the wave.
- The understays of the jockey pole have a separate tone, like strings on a guitar, as they skim through the waves. Occasionally there is a bigger disturbance if the pole itself gets dipped in!
- The propeller sometimes hits resonance too, singing from underneath the chart table.
- The keel occasionally “clacks” if Roxy jumps over a big wave, as the whole system is slightly flexible and the rams move within their bearings. If there is a big gust, I can hear the rumblings of the air bubbles in the rudders as they cavitate whilst trying to keep control.

So all of the above noises are normal and create a really special kind of, rather loud, music that I am now totally in tune with. It is this music that is almost a lullaby as it is a sign from Roxy that everything is normal and she’s happy. Maybe that is why I sleep so well when she’s going fast.

However, the important factor is to be able to pin point and single out any noise or vibration that is not normal. These include; the little ‘pop’ that signifies that I have hit something small and a rudder has popped up; the vibration associated with something being wrapped around the keel; a vibration caused by a piece of deck gear failing; or simply the change in pitch of the normal sounds signifying that Roxy is no longer at 100% and a sail needs to be re-trimmed or changed.

Quite often I will wake up for no particular reason, but know that something is not right. I am so finely tuned into the sounds my little boat makes and I can sense any change immediately. It is better than any alarm clock, as I know I will wake up if I’m needed, and if all is OK then my boat lets me sleep!

S x

At 1600 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 6th position, 2,084 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia

Grey onboard Roxy

Bad hair day1

Bad hair day2

Fregene's - Italian Pizza

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:47:00 GMT

Diving south again

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:57:00 GMT

On board the Chilean boat, Desafio Cabo de Hornos, skipper Felipe Cubillos is enjoying the hard racing. “I love the adrenaline rush of having to make decisions and take care of them,” he wrote. “That is what I find exciting about racing sailboats. This kind of intensity is hard to find in other sports. Day after day, week after week we have to make tactical choices, decide on sails and sail trim, and live with the results.”

The results for Desafio Cabo de Hornos over the last four days have been very positive. They have halved the distance between themselves and the leading boat, Beluga Racer, and continue to sail at slightly faster speeds. “At the beginning of the year the Germans were 107 miles ahead of us with 170 miles of lateral separation,” Felipe continued. “Now the distance is down to just 65 miles and we have a lateral separation of not more than 40 miles. In short we are recovering at a rate of just over one mile per hour and we hope that continuing in heavy winds we will be able to close the distance even more.”

On board Beluga Racer co-skippers Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme do not seem too concerned. As usual Boris is upbeat about things, but he also knows that the other competitors read these reports so his emails may have a bit of psychology built into them. “Things have been relatively quiet on board Beluga Racer,” he wrote. “We have even found time to watch a movie. We have enough fuel and food left for the rest of the leg so that’s not a problem and the boat is fine, no damage at all.” Both Beluga Racer and Desafio Cabo de Hornos are sailing in moderate southwesterly winds. Things will get even quieter over the next 48 hours until yet another front moves in from the west. “The weather forecast seems quite good for the next couple of day,” Boris continued. “No dramas, nothing special. In fact it’s all very quiet these days. No albatross. No sunsets. Just a bit grey. Not very cold, but not warm either. We are happy with the progress and impressed by the performance of our boat. It does all the work itself.”

So there you have it. I am sure that Boris knows that Felipe will read this report as will the Brits aboard Team Mowgli. He and his co-skipper Felix Oehme do make it look easy, but they are consummate seamen and know how to play the game, psychology and all.

Finally we would like to wish Michel Kleinjans a Happy 45th Birthday! In a brief email he wrote, “Apart from a cigar I kept my birthday sober. I am getting older for sure. Right now we have rather light weather, around 14 knots, but I think it will die even more. I have no wind indicator or log anymore which a bit annoying but other than that all is good on board Roaring Forty.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHEL KLEINJANS

News from the front… French skippers

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:08:00 GMT

A special radio session today, including a live video link with leader Michel Desjoyeaux on Foncia, first to round Cape Horn early this morning. Also news from the chasing bunch: Bilou, Riou and Le Cam, plus repairs looming for Safran…

2nd – Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): I can see the Horn coming up! Now it’s grey and a squall coming. Pleased to see the Cape. Since yesterday though it has been nice seeing the albatrosses and seas have been calmer. Nice to be turning left to stop punishing the boat. Have some cracks in my hands, but always uses gloves for manoeuvres. Impatient to get outside after being confined inside for so long. But it’s not going to be easy ahead. A nice gap built up over those behind, but remains prudent. Doesn’t yet know which route he will take immediately after the Horn.

3rd – Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux): 12-35 knots of wind making it a very complicated night. Today it’s the squalls that are making it difficult. Huge squalls, which you have to keep watching — no sleep allowed but doesn’t feel as tired as 4 years ago, because he hasn’t had the stress of icebergs. The Horn is coming up, so isn’t going to start crying now! Already a feat to be in the race still. Only one day left before the Horn. Has seen the Southern Star and it really shines!

4th Vincent Riou (PRB): Rough cross-seas but above all variable conditions — 25-35 knot winds and cold wind. Roughly 48 hours behind leader at Cape Horn, but weather will decide when exactly he rounds. Different from last time, but this time was probably more like normal conditions. Has a lot of work to do just after the Horn. The South really continues until they start to leave the South Atlantic. There will be a group of three with Jean joining them for the battle in the Atlantic — hoping for a surprise…!

7th – Marc Guillemot (Safran): Was thinking of maybe stopping, but that has now become absolutely necessary. The screws keeping the mast track in place are not holding it in place. After the repair at second reef, it’s ripped off on third reef. Currently fixed at third reef. Needs to put in place bigger screws. May be doing a pit stop where Bilou stopped after the Horn, but that depends on the weather. The second possibility is the Falklands. Rounding the Horn gives you the impression that you are going home. Well done, Michel — he’s done a Desjoyeaux! Very clever choices in his strategy and great sailing since he returned to the race. Not easy to judge the Jury’s redress compensation, but he’s satisfied with their judgment and thinks they have done a good job as it’s fair.

© Benoit Stichelbaut / Veolia Environnement

Goodbye Pacific, hello Atlantic

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:50:00 GMT

Foncia is the first boat to exit the Pacific and enter the Atlantic Ocean — and begin the final climb north to the finish line.
Mich Desj passed just a couple of miles off the coast of the fearsome landmark, reporting squalls of 35-40 knots, gusting 45, at around midnight in local, Chilean time – his path flagged by the famous lighthouses on the rocks. However, on rounding the tip of South America Foncia is experiencing flatter seas. After a strong NW’ly wind this weekend, the leaders are being greeted by a 20-25 knot westerly, likely to ease further as a high pressure zone develops off the tip of Patagonia.
Desjoyeaux is now 120 miles ahead of second placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment). Jourdain is currently about 80 miles away from the Cape, and expects to round the Horn around eight hours behind Foncia.
Behind these two leaders there has been little change — the closely matched pair of Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) are now just 14 miles apart on this morning’s rankings, with a 20-mile lateral separation.
Sam Davies (Roxy, GBR) continues to hold a 300-mile advantage over Marc Guillemot on Safran, although Safran has recently picked up high speeds to become the fastest boat overnight – averaging over 16 knots since last night’s position update.
This duo have also been notified of the redress they will receive for going to the aid of Yann Eliès. The International Jury has awarded 82 hours to Marc Guillemot as redress, while Sam Davies receives 32 hours. With a gap to the next boat, Brit Air, of 1,300 miles for Sam and more than 1,700 miles for Marc this is unlikely to change the hierarchy. However, if Guillemot decides to stop to make repairs to his main he will have to keep an eye on Sam, as he is currently 300 miles behind her, which represents about half of the redress time he now has in the bank.
Further back, 11th-placed Steve White (Toe in the Water, GBR) has been making good progress at around 15 knots to gain a little ground on the duo of Arnaud Boissieries (Akena Vérandas) and Dee Caffari (Aviva, GBR) in ninth and tenth.
Rich Wilson (Great American III, USA) is set to become the next boat to cross the International Date Line, and is currently around 80 miles away from the Greenwich Meridian.
Sébastien Josse on the retired BT is also making good progress to Auckland, currently around 100 miles away he is expected to arrive in New Zealand later today.

© JEAN MARIE LIOT / DPPI / Vendée Globe