Click for More Info
on the Torresen Sailing School
Click for More Info
on the Torresen Sailing School
Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
As Class I currently stands only 2 boats remain. In the aftermath of Giovanni Soldini's rescue of Isabelle Autissier controversy has ensued. The essence of the controversy is this: during an interview Isabelle Autissier made a comment to the effect that she was helping Giovanni. This comment was seized by the French media and relayed to class leader Marc Thiercelin. Reportedly Thiercelin has made unkind comments about them working together.
Thiercelin believes that Fila should stop at Cape Horn, and drop off Autissier. Thiercelin would be waiting with Somewhere, and the Fila and Somewhere could restart.
Autissier denied giving Soldini any help saying, "Gio chooses his tactics, makes sail changes when he wants to, and goes where he feels like it, alone." Further, Autisser doesn't deny a scenario where she would help Soldini: "if Gio were asleep and the wind suddenly rose to 35 knots, I would take action. If I didn't, and there was a problem, I would feel guilty about it for the rest of my life. I would have failed as a sailor."
For his part Soldini says, "We aren't double-handing, but it's true that having two people is an advantage: you sleep better knowing that someone else is there, you get less stressed, you have someone to talk with."
After having been through the rescue both Autissier and Soldini seem to be less intent on victory, "FILA has been moving slowly because we've been spending a lot of time thinking and talking about this whole business" is the way Autissier puts it. Soldini sums up his thoughts, In any case, let me tell you that I figure I've pretty much won this race, and anything else ultimately isn't very important."
Fleet Round Up:
Somewhere leads the race by 455 miles over Fila. Somewhere continues to ply the southern route as she is currently at 59 degrees south latitude. With a speed of 13.2 knots the lead should grow.
Fila is now 2nd and back in the race with skipper Giovanni Soldini and Isabelle Autissier on board. Fila has stayed north around 54 degrees. From Fila, Isabelle Autisser says: "His only concern is avoiding the next low."
Cray Valley is 1st in Class II by 107 miles, 46 more than yesterday. J.P. Mouligne is resting and preparing for the expected storm. His outlook going into the storm, "For now prudence is in order ,I need to come out of this storm without breaking anything."
Magellan Alpha is 2nd in Class by 107 miles.
Balance Bar is 3rd in Class II by 176 miles. Brad Van Liew checks in: "The system that is approaching is expected to be fairly serious so I think we will all try to treat it with respect."
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 378 miles back. Viktor Yazykov reports on a recent incident: "FEW DAYS AGO AT NIGHT TIME WAS LITTLE WIND BUT WITH FULL MAINSAIL WE BEING MAKING ABOUT 8 KNOTS ,SUDDEN WIND SHIFT MADE A BAD JOB WE HAD A CRASH JIBE. I HAVE BEEN SCARED TO DEATH.THOUGHT THE BOAT WAS GOING TO COMPLETE CAPSIZE. FORTUNATLY IT DID NOT HAPPENED," Currently Viktor is sailing 11.4 knots best in class. He may move up to 3rd yet.
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 1343 miles from 1st place.
Next is www.no-barriers.com. Neal Petersen is 1528 miles back. Neal, also thinks of the upcoming weather: "My life revolves around the weather. The only other people I know on land who live by the impact of weather as greatly as us at sea, are farmers."
Paladin 2 comes next 1688 miles back. Neil Hunter says, "A lot more breeze is forecast over the weekend so today may well be the last calm one for a while."
What does it all mean ?
It would be most sad to see Soldini's rescue be sullied by controversy. Just as sad would for Marc Thiercelin to have his reputation damaged by carping about Soldini's passenger. Soldini performed a heroic rescue. Thiercelin has broken the 24 hour record 3 times. Both are much more deserving of credit than criticism.