Around Alone Report January 4

Cray Valley takes Class II

Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.

Class II again has been won by Cray Valley and J.P. Mouligne.  It would seem after two legs that J.P. is in very good shape, but he says "We're only half way round and you never know what is going to happen."   Cray Valley finished in 29 days 9 hours 49 minutes and 37 seconds, at an average speed of 9.75.  This is the 6th fastest Around Alone record by average speed ever.   For Class II boats it is 2nd fastest leg.

Fleet Round Up:

Group 4 is officially out of Leg 2.   In effect this also puts Mike Golding out of contention for any overall prizes also.  Skipper Mike Golding has not decided whether he will sail Leg's 3 & 4.

5th is Gartmore 542 miles from Auckland. 

6th in Class I is Modern University for the Humanities. 

Magellan is 2nd in Class II. Magellan is 641 from Auckland.  Balance Bar is closing fast. Does Mike Garside think he will be caught ?  He says: "I'm beginning to think anything is believable now."

Balance Bar is 3rd, 698 from Auckland.   Currently Balance Bar is sailing at 8.8 knots, while Magellan is at 8.9.  It will be interesting to see if Brad can edge Mike this time and reverse the Leg 1 result.

Wind of Change is 4th, 1144 miles from Auckland. 

5th is now Shuten Dojhi II 2683 miles from finishing.

6th is www.no-barriers.com 2822 miles from the end of Leg 2.  Neal Petersen talks about how useful his satellite telephone has been: "I have been spoiled by it, and doubt if I could go to sea without a satphone aboard."

7th is Paladin 2 3106 miles from Auckland.

Rapscallion III has now officially dropped out and is returning to Cape Town.

South Carolina has 4508 miles left of Leg 2. 

What does it all mean ?

Cray Valley's Leg 2 performance seems to indicate that her lead is of the safe type.  Every hour that goes by is added to it, making it the safer type.

Cumulative Standings Table