Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
At approximately 1000 GMT race leader Somewhere was dismasted. Somewhere was off the coast of Argentina at roughly 49 degrees 20 minutes south 61 degrees 20 minutes west. According to the Somewhere shore team the incident occurred in 30 knots of wind and ugly seas.
Fleet Round Up:
Somewhere had a 134 mile lead before her mast went. Race director Mark Schrader speculated that Somewhere's deck stepped mast may have jumped off the ball that it is stepped on. This is possible as Somewhere was pounding upwind in dirty weather. Somewhere is over 900 miles from Punta Del Este. Will Somewhere be able to make it to shore, and get a new mast stepped ? This feat was performed by EF Education in the Whitbread race.
Fila is the last Class I boat standing. If Somewhere can't continue racing, the Fila must simply finish in Charleston to win. To go with the tough upwind conditions Fila has had seaweed difficulties. Giovanni reports: ""I had a terrible night struggling with the seaweed wrapped around the keel. There is still one piece that I haven’t managed to get off. This seaweed is very, very long - at least 10-15 metres - and there is also a root which is a kind of ball-shaped thing of about half a metre across. It’s a nightmare" It would seem now that Giovanni can now sail as prudently as he wants, as his competition has fallen.
Cray Valley is 1st in Class II by 165 miles, 13 more than yesterday. Cray Valley and her 3 pursuers are still in a strong gale. Winds are N-NW at 30 to 50 knots. Meanwhile Cray Valley is hamstrung by a main that can't be hoisted without a reef. J.P. Moulgine's repair efforts are made difficult by rainy weather. J.P. feels an urgency to get to Cape Horn because of a forecast of a 70 knot easterly gale at Cape Horn on Friday. Of Cape Horn J.P. says, "I hope this does not materialise because it will make the rounding a living hell or more likely will prevent me from passing the Horn until the wind changes direction."
Magellan Alpha is 2nd in Class by 165 miles. Mike Garside is aware of the possibilities at Cape Horn saying, "I hope this does not materialise because it will make the rounding a living hell or more likely will prevent me from passing the Horn until the wind changes direction."
Balance Bar is 3rd in Class II by 313 miles 10 miles less than yesterday. Brad Van Liew has been busy fixing up his boat. Among his accomplishments are: staysail sewing and a working heater. He then developed problems with both of his autopilots. After replacing and swapping various parts, he still had 0 functioning pilots. As a last resort he tried, "I tried using the pilot with the gyros unplugged because it was the only thing left and they came to life. The pilots now function without the gyros which means they don't steer as straight a course this far from the magnetic north pole. At this point I am grateful they work and am pleased with the way they are steering." So, Balance Bar is still in condition for a post Cape Horn upwind charge.
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind
of Change. Wind of Change is 528 miles back, a 3 mile loss. Viktor
comments,"BY THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE GOT THE BEST SIX HOURS RUN IN THE
FLEET."
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 1947 miles from 1st place.
Next is www.no-barriers.com. Neal Petersen is 2129 miles back. Neal says, "I am looking forward to port, to a good steak dinner and maybe a long soak in a bath tub."
Paladin 2 comes next 2326 miles back. From Paladin Neil Hunter comments: "Might have a wine and cheese tasting day today, in the spirit of Gio and Isa’s wine and pasta cruise on board FILA."
What does it all mean ?
Leg 3 has now seen its 2nd dismasting. The first was Gartmore, and now Somewhere. These are the same waters that saw two Whitbread boats lose masts (Silk Cut and EF Education). Hopefully all the remaining boats will make it with rigs upright.