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Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Fila still leads the race. However, the next several days will be critical as to whether this situation remains. A front is approaching from the south. The front is moving faster near shore than offshore. With Fila's more westerly position she should show a greater benefit from this situation.
Fleet Round Up:
Fila has a 20 mile lead on Somewhere. The leaders are sailing in a reported 18 knots of wind from the north northeast. Fila is steering 073 degrees putting her on the wind.
Somewhere is showing a speed of 8.9 knots over 2 knots faster than Fila. Her course is 081. Somewhere needs to keep up this pressure as tactically Soldini is in the controlling position.
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 18 miles a 7 mile increase. Mike Garside is racing hard to keep the lead: "There's a lot of shipping about, too, and sleep has been limited to 10 minute naps for the last three days." With frequent upwind work and the stress on the rig that this point of sail causes, Garside is concerned: "I really worry about the rig. It's been through stuff as bad as this before. But Navtec, the rod rigging manufacturers, recommend changing all the standing rigging at 30 thousand miles. We've now done nearer to 50 ,000 on this lot. Who knows what stresses are at breaking point? I couldn't bear to lose my mast now."
Cray Valley is 2nd. J.P.
Mouligne reports an event of importance to the offshore sailor: "Last night I was
able to fix the stove and I had a warm meal for the first time since the start. Pork and
beans--what a treat!"
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 168miles back.
www.no-barriers.com has passed Shuten Dojhi II and is 325 miles out of 1st. Despite his moving up to 4th place Neal Petersen reports: "A leak around my keel has gradually become annoying." Neal must pump the bilge every 2-3 hours.
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 373 miles from 1st place.
Paladin 2 is 385 miles back. Neil Hunter says, "All’s well, no dramas but a bit tired of the wind being either from the NE and OTS (on the snotta) or from the SW and UTC (up the clacker)."
What does it all mean ?
No Barriers current 4th place standing in Class II is her highest placing. Although not the fastest boat, Neal Petersen has shown that preparation and reliability can produce a good if not spectacular result.