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Around Alone Report May 3

Fila checks Somewhere's advance

Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report. 

Giovanni Soldini's Class I lead has stabilized.   Neal Petersen has a plan to make his food last to the finish.  Another day in the eventful Around Alone.

Fleet Round Up:

Fila's lead has stabilized to 325 miles.  Fila's speed is 10.8 knots .2 faster than Somewhere.  While at sea Giovanni Soldini has been notified that he will receive France's Legion dHonneur.  This is the highest award France gives and it is in recognition of his Leg 3 rescue of Isabelle Autissier.

Somewhere's advance has been stopped.  

Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 259 miles.  Between 1544 April 30 and 1544 May 1 according to race officials Magellan's 24 hour run was 333.2 miles an average speed of 13.88 knots.  This likely is  a record for a 50 foot monohull.  Overall Class II leader J.P. Moulgine's best 24 hour run is 321.5 miles. 

Cray Valley is 2nd. Cray Valley is sailing at 10.9 knots .2 slower than Magellan.

Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change.  Wind of Change is 733 miles back.   Wind of Change is out of the Doldrums and sailing at 10.7 knots.

www.no-barriers.com is back in 4th place.  Neal Petersen has assessed the food shortage and has come up with this plan: "If for the next 10 days I go on half rations, and I make port the weekend of May 21, I will be able to eat a good meal everyday the last week. If I am at sea a bit longer, which I will know in about 10 days time, then I might need to stay on half rations a few days more."  So, it seems that Neal's food crisis will not nescssitate an on land stop.  Also, Neal has sailed No Barriers across the equator for the 5th time.  Currently just beyond the equator No Barriers is sailing at a Doldrums induces 2.1 knots.

Shuten Dojhi II is back to 5th place.   Shuten lies 1454 miles from 1st place. 

Paladin 2 is 1560 miles back.   Neil Hunter has also crossed the equator: "This is my 5^th crossing, 3^rd solo and unclothed. Will pay my due respects to King Nep and the appropriate other gods around midday in the traditional equator crossing ceremony."  

Balance Bar is back racing and trails the lead boats by 1811 miles. Sailing at a speed of 8.1 knots a 3 degrees south latitude Balance Bar is not yet in the Doldrums.

What does it all mean ?

Fila is on schedule for a Wednesday finish.  As soon as Fila crosses the finish line we'll have an overall Around Alone winner.