Around Alone Report December 30

Fila ETA pushed back

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

Fila still leads, and looks as though the leg 2 victory will be hers.  ETA in Auckland will be tomorrow.  Current projections show Fila almost 24 hours ahead of Group 4, which will cut the Fila to Group 4 overall deficit by 1/3rd.

Fleet Round Up:

Fila has a 238 mile lead.  The Tasman Sea weather picture is dominated by high pressure and light air. This is shown by Soldini's current speed rate of 3.8 knots.  According to  Soldini this is what he has to look forward to: "We are getting nearer to land and the forecasts are for lighter winds and even calms over the next few days. Then, after Cape North, we'll make our descent to Auckland. That is looking like it's going to be very difficult".

Group 4 is hanging onto 2nd, 238 miles back.

Somewhere is now 3rd 382 miles back.

PRB is sailing in 4th.   Isabelle Autissier says, "Having said that, the finishing order is set, and we'll each do what we can with what we have." Despite the light air Isabelle only holds out hope for 3rd place, "If SOMEWHERE makes a mistake, I might be able to take advantage of it."

5th is Gartmore 914 miles out of 1st.  

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

Cray Valley is the Class II leader, at this point by 480 miles over Magellan.  J.P. Mouligne says: "I will keep a watchful eye in the (rearview) mirror all the way to Auckland."

Magellan is 2nd in Class II. Magellan is sailing at 5.9 knots, much less than Cray Valley's 9.5 knots and will likely fall back further.

Balance Bar is 3rd, 833 miles back.  At 9.7 knots, Balance Bar maybe able to reel in Magellan.

Wind of Change is 4th, 1144 miles from the lead. 

5th is now Shuten Dojhi II.

6th is www.no-barriers.com.  Neal Petersen reports on his rather disappointing day:"Today I was becalmed again. My 24 hour progress was only 80 miles, and that was on a heading towards the northeast. During this same time, I only took 29 miles off the distance to Auckland."

7th is Paladin 2, sailing along at 6.8 knots.  Neil Hunter reports: "Gale force winds seem to be the norm down here."

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

South Carolina is sailing at 7.1 knots.  Robin Davie continues to be plagued by diesel fuel:"Diesel fumes continue to pervade the boat, and have certainly left me off my food for the last couple of days.  I need the wind shift to the other tack so as to be able to complete the clean out of the diesel mess throughout the boat."

What does it all mean ?

The Tasman Sea will make the skippers sail a patience test before they sip that favorite beverage in Auckland.

Standings Table