Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Both classes have new leaders. Somewhere now leads Class I, while in Class II Magellan is the top dog.
Fleet Round Up:
Somewhere is 28 miles up on Gartmore. Somewhere is still dropping south steering a course of 188 degrees at 8.4 knots. It looks like the best wind will be at south of 44 degrees south latitude and Somewhere wants to get there fast. Marc Thiercelin reports how he got his lead: "I lost my first night's advantage, so I attacked during the 2nd night, and am back in 1st place."
Gartmore is 2nd. Josh Hall has a different plan, as evidenced by his course of 122 degrees. Gartmore is off to a good start. However, the other nite Josh heard a bang and then ended up on the floor: "Thought the keel or mast had failed but it was just the bunk brackets breaking off the bulkhead -- sure got my attention!"
Fila is now 3rd 36 miles from 1st. Soldini is steering 122 degrees. He does not seem to feel making maximum southing is as important as the French Class I sailors.
PRB is 4th and is also diving south, steering 177 degrees. However, both PRB and 4th place Fila have speeds in the 5's as opposed to the lead duo's 8's. Isabelle Autissier's southern gambit is explained as follows: "The highs are very far south this year, so you have to dive below them."
1st in Class II is Magellan Alpha. Mike Garside had a difficult and queasy start to Leg 2, but has come around: "As we passed Hawkes Bay, one of New Zealand's best red wine producing areas, I quietly celebrated with a glass of Montana cabernet sauvignon merlot."
Balance Bar is 2nd by 17 miles. Despite his good position, Brad Van Liew has had a tough start including: "some disappointing gear failure which includes, the radar, wind instruments and the sat phone."
3rd is the current overall Class II leader, Cray Valley. Cray Valley is 62 miles from the lead. J.P. Mouligne reports: "After 4 weeks of rest I felt rusty and seasick. The constant maneuvering was exausting, I hardly ate anything in 2 days, and felt very weak." J.P. is also without wind instruments as his masthead unit has broken.
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 53 miles back, sailing at 8.8 knots 2nd fastest in the class.
Paladin 2 comes next 164 miles back. Neil Hunter comments: "The conditions have eased a bit though the breeze is still coming from where I want to go.
Next is www.no-barriers.com. Neal Petersen is 174 miles back.
The last boat in the fleet is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 178 miles from 1st place.
What does it all mean ?
Looks like there is a difference of opinion in class I. The French sailors want to go south, while the others want to go more easterly. These divergent courses could make a lasting difference.