Around Alone Report for October 26

Lead Changes and a Record

The battle for 1st and 2nd in Class I between the French yachts Somewhere and PRB is as close as ever.   In the words of PRB's Isabelle Autissier: "So yesterday I look back, and who do I see, astern and upwind of me? SOMEWHERE!"   Currently PRB leads Somewhere by 15 miles.   Of course, Somewhere has been the 1st place yacht in Class I for the majority of the race.  However, recently Somewhere has been plagued by difficulties and has fallen back. 

For one, Somewhere skipper Marc Thiercelin reports: "Still, you should know that I've been sailing under shortened sail for about the last ten days because my main has a problem and is ripping."   With the majority of the sail horsepower residing in the mains this is a problem.   The second problem for Somewhere is as follows: "And last night, in squally weather, the genoa got snagged on the spreaders, which brace the mast."  So, Thiercelin figures that unless the rest of the leg is in shortened sail conditions he will have a difficult time keeping the lead.

This is not to say he will not try.  Thiercelin puts forth a very positive outlook, "you can be sure that I gave it my all, using every scrap of wind and energy....I'm doing it for all of you, for my Somewhere sponsor, but also for my family, for the extended family of friends who have helped me over the years, and for the people who have been following the race, and whose numbers keep growing as we go along. And of course for all the children who enjoy the adventures of Captain Marck." At last report Somewhere's speed was 11.9 knots, with the other Class I yachts reading in the 13 & 14 knot range.  This speed deficit perhaps due to his reduced sail area.  Still, with only a 15 mile deficit, so far so good for Thiercelin and Somewhere. 

A little farther back in Class I reside Fila and Giovanni Soldini.  For several days he has been on the fleet's western side attempting to make gains.  He had, but not as quickly as needed.  Well, at least for one day Soldini has now gone as fast as anyone ever has in trying to catch the boats in front of him.  In the 24 hour period from 0944 Saturday to 0944 Sunday Soldini and Fila had covered 381.8 miles to ser a new 24 hour single handed mono hull speed record.  Other 24 hour records are:  outright  (&single handed) Laurent Bourgnon trimaran Primagaz June 28/29th 1994 540 miles and Silk Cut Lawrie Smith 449.1 miles for the monohull with crew category.

Note: Fila and Soldini have already bettered this mark.  Between 1540 GMT Saturday and 1540 GMT Sunday Fila posted a distance of 386.9 nautical miles.  During the same period other Class I boats posted these distances: PRB 337.6 Somewhere 351.4 Group 4 355.4 Gartmore 314.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council does not list a record in this category.  However, either Christophe Augin at 350 miles, or Yves Parlier at 376 miles are thought to hold the 'unofficial' record.  Soldini's 381 miles breaks this record.  This record run has helped Fila get to within 227 miles of leading yacht PRB.

3rd place in Class I is held by Group 4, 89 miles out of 1st.  Group 4's Mike Golding has this to say: "Lots of little repairs generally today, it's difficult to do too much when it's like this. I'm starting to run short of various things now - we must be getting near."   Fellow Englishman Josh Hall has his yacht Gartmore in 4th place, 163 miles out of 1st.  Josh chimes in with how pleased he is with Gartmore's design and performance: "I love my boat and by being ultra simple I think we have achieved ultra reliability - there ain't much to go wrong and so far nothing has and that just could be very telling in the months to come."

Class I Yacht's Somewhere on the left and
Gartmore on the right 1 month ago September 26th
which was day of the start of this leg

Class II is still led by Cray Valley.   Balance Bar is 2nd by only 16 miles. Balance Bar's Brad Van Liew feels that he and Cray Valley may be headed for lite air upwind work which should be to his yachts liking. 3rd in Class II is Magellan Alpha, trailing by 218 miles which is 62 less than yesterday.

However, Mike Garside has decided to take a flyer to try and get Magellan closer. He reports: "So I'm heading east at 10 knots and just hoping that soon I'll find the opportunity to get south and under the high that looms ahead."  Magellan has crossed both Cray Valley and Balance Bar's path.  Time will tell if Garside is correct.

Next is South Carolina 628 miles back.   From South Carolina Robin Davie reports that he is confident in stores of food, fuel and water so: "I can assure y'all I have plenty of T-bags - and as long as I have T-bags onboard, anything's possible..."  Raspscallion III is next, 778 miles back.  On board www.no-barriers (1033 miles back) Neal Petersen sighted the island of Fernando de Naronha.   As he sailed away he lamented: "I would like an ice cream, fresh water shower and a dry bed. Land offers all of that."  Next, Shuten Dojhi II has gained her place back from Wind of Change.  Finally there is Paladin 2.