Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Balance Bar is planning to rejoin the race this morning. Balance Bar's new aluminum mast was stepped yesterday. Although 4 feet shorter than her old carbon fiber mast, Brad Van Liew is more than satisfied. Balance Bar will fly a mainsail from Somewhere. Most of her headsails fit the new rig giving Van Liew a decent sail inventory.
Fleet Round Up:
Fila has maintained a 65 mile lead on Somewhere. There is now only a 10 degree course between Fila and Somewhere. Somewhere has .1 knot speed advantage. For the now Fila's lead looks good.
Somewhere still trails. Patience may be the key to any overtaking maneuver.
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 31 miles a 10 mile decrease.
Cray Valley is 2nd. J.P.
Mouligne indicates, "I also have a very serious mainsail problem. I am using the same
main that I had in the first leg that arrived in Cape Town in very bad shape. We sent it
back to the US to have it reconditioned and reinforced but it already has started to split
at the tack and below the third reef point." With a boat speed of 4.1 Cray
Valley is likely in lite air. This should at least help save the mainsail.
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 47 miles back a gain of 41 miles. According to J.P. Moulgine, this is how Wind of Change has stayed close "It was Victor Yazikoff who took the best option by staying well to the West. He made up 150 miles in two days." In the coming light air Wind of Change may gain even more.
www.no-barriers.com has passed Shuten Dojhi II and is 337 miles out of 1st. Neal Petersen has begun repairing damage. His mainsail is stitched up and, "I spent most of the day under spinnaker, till I had to gybe. The wind has gone light and progress is slow. but at least I was able to get some results today."
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 358 miles from 1st place. With a fleet low speed of 1.9 knots Shuten is not in a position to move up the standings.
Paladin 2 is 426 miles back. In light of other boats troubles, Neil says, "leg 4 sounds like being as eventful as the others. It ain't all over yet, though, touch wood, things are holding together here."
What does it all mean ?
After being pounded early in the leg, the majority of the fleet will now face the frustration of light air. Observed winds on the course are 10 knots or below.