7:30 PM Thu 18 Dec 2008 GMT
Latest news from vendee Globe competitors and Mike Golding, now headed for Western Australia.
Latest from Mike Golding on Ecover
Mike Golding was struck another cruel blow on Tuesday morning when he lost his mast while leading the Vend?e Globe. Golding had just started to really get to grips with his boat and was looking forward to reaching the Atlantic again for what he described was going to be 'one helluva race home'.
But despite the utter devastation, Golding - while chatting during gale force winds in the Southern Ocean this morning - managed to reflect a glimmer of optimism about his Owen Clarke-designed boat ECOVER 3, and all but admitted she's finally proved herself. 'I think the boat was kind of working out. She's obviously quick and you can't really blame her for the dismasting, it's just one of those things. So yes, there are a lot of good things there and when we get her back to Europe, there's a list of things I'd like to do, to change and improve. The main thing is to get the boat back, regroup and decide what to do next.'
Golding is one of the world's most experienced, competitive, competent, and highly popular sailors. He was also considered Britain's best hope for victory this time round, so for something like this to happen, at such a crucial period in the race was devastating not only to him, but to all his avid supporters and fellow competitors. Fortunately Golding was completely unharmed during the incident and is currently making his way, unassisted towards Western Australia.
Golding's ability to cope with such disappointment sums up exactly what it takes to be a successful Vend?e Globe skipper. Yes, he is still feeling incredibly numb about what's happened - so numb he cannot even contemplate explaining his feelings - but he also knows that Vend?e Globe sailing is all about risk, commenting: 'It's a technical sport, a 90-day race, without assistance on a mechanical device. I don't know of another event that even puts a candle to it in terms of technical difficulty. The fact is, I guess I got 37 days down the track and something broke. That is what the game is all about.'
Golding now finds himself in an unenviable race to Western Australia with fellow race favourite Lo?ck Peyron who dismasted last week. 'My aim,' says Golding, is to reach Perth but I can only really go in one direction. I'm currently heading 055, which is pointing towards Adelaide. I'm hoping, however, the wind will shift and allow me to take a more northerly route.'
The conditions down south are, not surprisingly, living up to their reputation, which is not particularly conducive to comfort. A boat with no mast really gets shaken around because the centre of gravity is so low so Golding thinks he'll spend a fair amount of time under motor. In the meantime he's making just 2.5 knots and has to cope with problems that arise on the boat. Golding continued: 'Some of the problems have stemmed from the mast wiring. I lost all the Pilots last night, and lost some of my nav stuff too. Because all the mast wiring was cut, I forgot to isolate it so all the nav gear was getting wet and shorting out. I'm just dealing with problems as they occur.'
Although the going will be painfully slow for Golding who still has over 800 miles to go, he predicts he should arrive in Perth in a week to 10 days. Golding signing off from the Southern Ocean today, concluded: 'I've got quite a bit of fuel so I can probably motor some of the way. I might need to organise a tow for the last bit though.'
www.mikegolding.com/
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message - Sam takes a tumble
'I hurt myself last night, during the manoeuvres through the front. Am rather sore today, as a result. I was stacking everything, ready for my gybe, and at the time I was stacking a spinnaker in the aft section, under the cockpit. Unfortunately, as I was pulling on it, a sail-tie broke, and I went flying backwards, landing my elbow into a winch transmission box - a nice solid corner.
It hurt SO much that everything went black, and I passed out! I woke up lying on my back, under the cockpit. The elbow was throbbing, from my fingertips to my shoulder. I could move it thankfully, but the pain made me sick. Because of these reactions, I called Jean-Yves Chauve, the race doctor, and he told me which (nice strong) painkiller to take. The problem was - I had to gybe! I lay down for as long as possible (for the painkiller to work), and summoned my strength. I managed the gybe! Luckily the wind had dropped in the cold front but I had kept small sails, so the manoeuvre was easy. Since then, Jean-Yves has helped me check the elbow by telephone to confirm that it is just a nasty big bruise, nothing more serious.
My elbow is so SORE, but I know it will get better, so there is no worry. He said that the reason for my rather severe reaction to the shock is probably because I'm not eating enough - and I must try harder to balance the energy I use each day with enough nutrition. I need 6000 calories per day out here in the cold south. The annoying thing now is that eating is a movement that really hurts my arm - ironically! So, I will maybe try eating left-handed, although that is a sure way to ensure that I will be mostly 'wearing' my dinner rather than consuming it - especially in this sea-state! I can already hear you asking - YES - the winch transmission box is fine I didn't do it any damage!'
Rich Wilson's update today says;
46/46/s 68/46E 1349 UTC 12/18/2008, 10 knots, staysail and 3 reefs in the main, 28-34knots wind, WNW, making E course.
Were at 2 reefs and solent for a while, then rocketed off too many waves at high speed, buried bow, loading up rigging too much for my comfort level, so backed off, first to 3rd reef, then to staysail when wind got up further. Crossed the corner of the 1000meter plateau north of Kerguelen. When we crossed the 2000 meter line, could see a distinct change in the color of the water, oddly, almost tropical, or at least a lot more tropical than the typical Indian Ocean gray for water and sky.
Last night, got out the Star Book to begin my reeducation in southern Hemisphere stars. The book was written by H.A. Rey of Curious George fame, and it is fantastic, with the mythologies of the stars and constellations, I highly recommend it. Found my favorite star here, Alpha Centauri, mostly because the name just rolls off your lips in a most fantastic way...Alpha Centauri, sounds magical.
Sea is pretty choppy here on the plateau, pilot is working hard, and it will be good to get over it,not sure if cutting the corner was worth it, as we've had to slow for the confused seas.
Devastated to hear of Yann Elies broken leg. Saw him the day before the start in Les Sables d'Olonne, riding his bike, standing on the pedals, with his daughter on the seat behind him. Kind as always, he rode over and introduced his daughter to me.
Jonny past the Kerguelens - Jonny Malbon (Artemis II) in his daily message
'Just to let you know that I passed the longitude of the Kerguelens at approx 0400 UTC. I was wall to the north and I have to say I am very happy to finally have cleared the islands. It seems like I have been looking at them for a very very long time! At least now I can move on to the east and towards home. We had a great nights sailing, fast with good waves for the first time. The breeze has increased to 30 knots this morning, but the sea is still behaving and we are making some good progress. Spent most of yesterday fixing the watermakers again - I was down to 3 litres, so things were desperate. I have now made about 15 litres and adapted the water feed. They seem to be working much better now, so fingers crossed. Onwards now to the next ice gate, and Christmas under Australia!!'
www.vendeeglobe.org
by Various Vendee Globe competitors
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