Take up Sailing this summer
at the Torresen Sailing School
Take up Sailing this summer
at the Torresen Sailing School
Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
With Class I decided and decimated, the race is now on for Class II podium positions. Currently the Class II order is the same as it has been. However, the top 3 class boats have had some close finishes and one of these may develop in the next several days.
Fleet Round Up:
Cray Valley is 1st in Class II by 121 miles. With 440 miles to a 3rd straight Class II victory J.P. Moulgine had decided not to play it conservative and just cover Magellan. He describes his more risky strategy this way: "For several different reasons I decided to go for speed and not cover Mike. So the net result is that I increased my lead but I also got myself exposed."
Magellan Alpha is now 2nd 121miles back. As Mike Garside sails north, he thinks: "Suddenly I realise what's missing. It's the ever present king of the Southern Ocean. My albatross and his crowd of courtesans - the petrels, shearwaters and storm petrels. I must have left them all behind me as I turned left at Cape Horn."
Balance Bar is 3rd in Class II by 205 miles, 22 less than yesterday. As important Balance Bar is 84 miles in back of Magellan which is 19 less than yesterday. Brad Van Liew says, "The headwinds have arrived and I hope it isn't too late."
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 575 miles back. Wind of Change looks to be on the way to another 4th place.
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 2118 miles from 1st place.
Next is www.no-barriers.com. Neal Petersen is 2290 miles back. Neal has developed a problem with his furling genoa: "I am hoping that the remanents of it will remain useable till Cape Horn, and then I can tuck into one of the bays for protection and lower the system, or else proceed to the Falklands to execute repairs."
Paladin 2 comes next 2857 miles back. Neil Hunter comments: "All OK and no dramas. Breeze died yesterday and I spent a few hours drifting around before it came back in from the NE."
Somewhere has reached the Falklands.
On Thursday a new aluminum mast is to arrive in the Falklands. Likely it will arrive via the British Air Force. Due to a diplomatic conflict between Britain and Chile there are no commercial flights to the Falklands. In addition to the new mast a new mainsail has already been sourced. Thiercelin plans to rejoin the race by Monday.
What does it all mean ?
If Cray Valley can win Class II for the 3rd leg running, J.P. Mouligne will be 3./4 of the way to a historic feat. This feat is taking 1st in class on all 4 legs. This has been achieved only twice by class I winner Phillipe Jeanot in the first Around Alone 1982, and by Class II winner Yves Dupasquier in 1990-91. Others have come close. For instance, iIn the last Around Alone Class II winner David Adams, won 3 of 4 legs. His chance at 4 wins was shot down by Giovanni Soldini then sailing in Class II.