Hancock Blows Spinnaker

MARBLEHEAD, MA, JULY 25--Running before a fresh northeasterly breeze, the 
Class 2 Around Alone Open 50 Great Circle blew up her spinnaker during the 
night as she dived south, looking for more breeze. 

On Friday, solo skipper Brian Hancock reported he repaired his big chute by 
hand. "We have good wind from aft and its fun sailing," he messaged via 
satellite email. Great Circle covered 151 miles in the previous 24 hours. She 
was sailing at 8.2 knots at 1100 GMT when Hancock messaged his shore base. 

A big high pressure area with associated light winds and calms was located to 
the west of Hancock's position and slightly further north. "It's vital that I 
press on to the south to the 30 degree north latitude before I try and make 
much westing," Hancock said. "If I turn west sooner, I run the danger of 
sailing into calms."

At 1100 hours GMT on Friday Great Circle was at 32 deg 34 min North and 33 
deg 38 min West and pressing on to Bermuda in three-foot waves under a clear 
blue sky.

"It's real empty out here," Hancock reported. "No birds, no fish, no ships, 
no planes. I'd love to know how J. P. Mouligne is faring in the Atlantic 
Alone." Mouligne, from Newport, RI, is leading Class 2 in his Cray Valley. 
Hancock considers the Frenchman one of his main rivals for Class 2 honors in 
the Around Alone.

When he checked in on Saturday morning, Hancock's position was 31 deg 41 min 
North and 37 deg 12 min West. He was averaging 9 knots and with his spinnaker 
up had covered 190 miles in the previous 24 hours.

"All's well on board but I still can't get the generator to run, so it's no 
lights, radio, CD-player or anything like that," he said. "I'm saving battery 
power for my satellite communications. The good news is that I'm ejoying 
beautiful trade winds sailing with bright sunshine, a 15 knot breeze out of 
the east-north-east and three foot waves. What could be better!"

Hancock is planning on a 12 to 14 day solo voyage to Bermuda where he will 
continue work on his search for sponsorship before three campaign donors join 
him for the 600-mile leg home to Marblehead. Hanock announced two weeks ago 
that his crew will be the three top donor bidders. He will announce his crew 
after reaching Bermuda. 

Great Circle is expected back in the US mid-August where Hancock will 
continue to seek sponsorship for the Around Alone race which starts on 
September 26 from Charleston, SC.