 |
11:31 AM Wed 10 Dec 2008 GMT
In the Vendee Globe, the stronger wind is arriving from behind, hence continued closing of the gaps between the leaders.
730 miles west of the Kerguelen Islands the top ten remain very much in formation as Sebastien Josse's position in the north of the leading pack has given him an advance of about 8.8 miles overnight to present a serious challenge to leader Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2).
Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) moving for a more southerly position, has been quick through the early part of the night.
The top ten remain very much in formation as Sebastien Josse's position in the north of the leading pack has given him an advance of about 8.8 miles overnight to present a serious challenge to leader Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2). Josse is the furthest east and was about 47 miles to the north of Dick's position in the small hours of the morning. Josse - along with Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), Lo?ck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) and Jean Le Cam (VM Mat?riaux) - have all been quick at different points through the night.
In general now the chasing group - Le Cam, Riou - who are some 90-100 miles behind the leaders, are seeing another five knots of breeze than the leaders.
The equation to be challenged for the leaders is that of better breeze for the moment in the north, as against a better angle in the south later. Josse has been making more than three knots faster than Dick.
Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) is heading south again, looking set to cross the trail of third placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) who is 21.9 miles behind the fleet leader Paprec-Virbac. Golding remains in fifth, but has drawn up to 50.1 miles off the lead, while the ever present threat of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) in seventh sees the 2001 winner just seven miles behind, still with time enough to wax lyrical in his nocturnal reports.
Tenth placed Yann Eli?s' special sanglier (wild boar stew with corn and red wine) may have been the perfect mental pick-me-up yesterday, but more likely he is placed in the north and west he is finally reaping a reward again for his position as the new system moves with him. Eli?s was quickest this morning making 18.4 knots.
Arnaud Boissi?res quipped overnight about having two British girls on his hands as they are the next challenges on the leaderboard, but Dee Caffari (AVIVA) has been resolutely repelling the French skipper's advances and holds an 18.7 miles advantage while Sam Davies (Roxy) is more than 185 miles ahead.
News from the Boats
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia)in his daily message: 'It's grey from morning to night. Light or dark grey. It's all a question of the shade. On top of that it's freezing with the water around 5? and the air between 1 and 6? yesterday. Great!! Mustn't grumble. It was advertised to be like this. We put up with he balaclava, the big collar even if it's not very sexy. But we're not here to seduce anyone, are we? Some people dream of the sunshine when they're in the Vend?e Globe. I'm dreaming of fine sandy beaches, palm trees and warm water. Going to pull the duvet up another 20 centimetres and get myself a little grog.'
Arnaud Boissi?res (Akena V?randas)in his daily message:'Hi, After a few headsail changes yesterday and a big gennaker rolled up like a potato, I put up the smaller gennaker, which is easier to handle. That seems to be the solution with the cold I can feel here. It's very damp. A chilly or even cold night with the radar on around 3 to reassure me. The sun has come to warm up my veranda now. About time too. I've now got two English girls to take care of...'
Bernard Stamm( Ch?min?es Poujoulat) in his daily messageHi, Had a bad night. Had problems unhooking the headsail, so was stuck for several hours with too small a sail, so poor speed and probably a poor course too. At dawn, I was able to solve the problem, but that meant I didn't get any rest and that affects decision-taking. Pity, because the weather is good and normally the night should have gone smoothly. It's all part of the race. Now I'm going to have to find the time to get some rest without affecting the boat's progress. So that's what's going on this morning. I'm going to get something to eat and then I'll feel better.'
0400 HRS GMT. Rankings, (FRA, unless stated)
1 - Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) at 16300.9 miles
2- Seb Josse (BT) at + 8.8 miles
3 -Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) at + 21.9 miles
4- Lo?ck Peyron, (Gitana Eighty) at + 28.1 miles
5 - Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) at + 50.1 miles
Selected International
12- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 231 miles
13- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 501.5 miles
14- Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Chemin?es Poujoulat) at + 534.7 miles
15- Sam Davies, GBR,(ROXY) at + 557.8 miles
16- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 727.3 miles
18 - Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 913.8 miles
19 - Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 1064.1 miles
20- Rich Wilson, USA, (Great America III) at + 1283.3 miles
22- Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) at + 1796 miles
24- Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) + 2242 miles
www.vendeeglobe.org
by Vendee Globe media
|
|
Cape Leeuwin, WA
Foiling - Components (Wings,Masts,etc)
