Gitana Eighty - Choice of destination remains open

7:08 AM Fri 12 Dec 2008 GMT

'On board with Lo?ck Peyron (FRA) Gitana Eighty - Vendee Golbe 2009 -2009' Vendee Globe 2008 &copy

24 hours after Gitana Eighty dismasted in the Indian Ocean, operations to recuperate the monohull equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild are taking shape.

At the same time as these logistical aspects which are mobilising the members of Gitana Team, Lo?ck Peyron has been organising his life aboard. Since yesterday evening, he has been sailing under jury rig; a spar which he managed to erect after some long and exhausting hours of work on deck.

From Gitana Team's office, based in Saint Philibert in the Morbihan, the shore crew have been in regular contact so as to offer their skipper the maximum amount of possibilities. This afternoon, after several exchanges with Lo?ck Peyron, there are still several valid options and they have yet to come to a final decision.
To get to Australia, some 2,700 miles away, under jury rig, remains a possibility as the winds naturally propel Gitana Eighty in this direction. However this crossing of the Indian Ocean under reduced sail would result in a long, laborious route for the sailor from La Baule. Another possibility is to charter a ship to make for South Africa, Madagascar or Reunion. Among these towing possibilities in the open ocean, one in particular requires an explanation. In fact, there is one boat currently on zone close to Gitana Eighty, which is the Marion Dufresne. A 120 metre vessel, this ship is based in Reunion and was launched in 1995, and usually serves two main roles. It carries out oceanographic research for the IPEV (French Polar Institute Paul Emile Victor) as well as some logistical and refuelling missions for French Austral Territories in the south of the Indian Ocean. Passing between the islands of Crozet and Kerguelen this Thursday, the Marion Dufresne may be able to meet up with Lo?ck Peyron and Gitana Eighty on zone.

Faced with these various options, the skipper and his team are giving themselves and extra night to consider the matter: 'Under sail, I would take as much time to make South Africa as I would Australia. However, various towing options have been studied and may shed new light on things. Right now I'm going to set a course to the NNE for the next few hours so as to as to enable me to choose between hanging a left or a right. We will have all the necessary elements to make a decision tomorrow' explained Lo?ck Peyron this afternoon.

by Kate jennings

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Gitana Eighty - Choice of destination remains open

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