Stunning sailing photography
Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Class II is seeing an all on battle for class leadership. The Doldrums have evened things up for Cray Valley and Magellan.
Fleet Round Up:
Fila's lead has grown again, now at 398 miles. Even with his quick passage through the Doldrums, Soldini comments:"It was a pain in the ass I can tell you!" In the meantime Soldini says, "There's always loads to do on board: I have to mend the spinnaker and above all study the weather. And of course I have to race. My only relaxation is the Tin chat line (www.atlantide.tin.it).
Somewhere is now up to a reasonable 10.4 knots. However, Fila is at 12.7 knots.
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 86 miles 20 better than yesterday. Garside currently is faster than Cray Valley by 2.2 knots. Magellan is not able to sail at full efficiency. This is due to a computer system that has crashed so Mike Garside does not receive full weather reports. In addition he has rudder problems. So, although things are not ideal Magellan is still in the lead and Mike Garside reports: "at least I have now put myself between J-P and the finishing line."
Cray Valley is 2nd. As J.P. Mouligne makes his gains in the tough Doldrum conditions he says, "The key is not to lose your nerves and to stay focused. I am on the edge but I am gaining."
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 261 miles back.
www.no-barriers.com has retaken 4th place and is 927miles back. Neal Petersen reports, "Squaly conditions, better progress. Think I have reached the SE tradewinds."
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 930 miles from 1st place.
Paladin 2 is 1050 miles back.
Balance Bar is back racing and trails the lead boats by 1682 miles. Balance Bar finally has breeze again and is sailing at a class high speed of 9.8 knots.
What does it all mean ?
The results of the leaders passage through Doldrums is now clear. For Class I the race maybe over. For Class II it's back to all on racing.