Around Alone Report for October 9

Somewhere is in front at least today

The leaders of Around Alone continue to crawl along.   Of the 7 top boats, the top speed reported is: 5.4 knots from Group 4.   The Class I leader board is unchanged despite the dicey conditions.  Somewhere continues to lead at this point by 52 miles.  Group 4 is second and 10 miles back in 3rd place is Gartmore.

Class II's top 3 is also unchanged.  Cray Valley leads, Magellan is 5 miles back and Balance Bar is 15 miles back. How's it going for these Class II leaders ?  Balance Bar's Brad Van Liew sends this plea: "Send some wind down here please! Current conditions are no wind, light rolling swell, and HHOOTT."  On Cray Valley each time J.P. Mouligne wants to sleep, he senses wind and hops back on deck to try to harness it.   According to J.P.: "I must have done that 20 or 30 times last night and I am beat."  Finally Mike Garside comments one of sailing's ultimate frustrating truths:  "No wind, and what ever you do, you get nowhere."  No one has yet conquered the 'no wind' hurdle, and I doubt if we ever will !

Cray Valley and Balance Bar at the Charleston Maritime Center.   Leg 1 has been just about this close for these Class II Leaders !

This leading trio is being successfully chased by the Class II yacht behind them.  As a contrast to the light air frustrations of the Class II leaders, Neal Petersen on www.no-barriers.com reports: "In the squalls the winds got up to about 25knots, then once they passed, dropped down to 10-12 knots."  Because of this good and at times better breeze, most are sailing at 7 to 8 knots. Gains posted range from 26.8 miles (Paladin II) to 45.0 (Wind of Change).  Looks like the conditions will help these two late starters catch up with the fleet. 

Of the back marking boats in Class I Fila continues to fight hard.  At last report skipper Soldini had Fila sailing at 11.8 knots.  This speed meant a 57 mile gain for Fila.   Soldini feels the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lisa may give him an opportunity:   "Once the hurricane has passed it'll take a few days for the trade winds to re-establish themselves... Patience."

Again, the fleet's seeming dichotomy is weather related.  The leaders are are in a light air area.  Normally they might expect to benefit from the steady tradewinds.  Right now the 'trades' don't start until 2-3 degrees north latitude.  This means a long slow slog to get to them.  Meanwhile the back of the fleet will continue to close, until getting under 20 degrees north when they too will experience light air.