Around Alone Report May 10

Somewhere is 2nd

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

The frustration of being in sight of the finish line yet with no wind perhaps sums up Somewhere's Around Alone.  Finishing at 1135 Charleston time Somewhere posted a Leg 4 time of 29 days 35 minutes 55 seconds for an average speed of 8.25.

Somewhere's Around Alone really was a circumnavigation featuring frustration.  Even before the race started Thiercelin had a deficit to make up.  By missing the arrival deadline he started with a 4 hour time penalty.   After observing pre race activities I wrote, "Thiercelin finished 2nd in the last Vendee Globe so knows how to make these boats go fast and stay in 1 piece. He too has not been able to undertake a full development program. I think lack of time will hurt, but not as much as Golding and his Open 60 experience make him a contender for victory."   This lack of work up started showing on Leg 1.  After leading much of the initial Leg Somewhere developed sail problems.  Thiercelin had chosen a very light sail inventory and it cost him.  In fact as Somewhere crossed the Leg 1 finish line her mail blew out showing the lack of work up time again.

Leg 2 was better.  Somewhere led as late as December 16.  However Fila went to the front.  On the approach to Auckland Group 4 grounded and PRB suffered rudder damage.  This move Somewhere to 2nd for the leg and overall.

Leg 3 was a difficult one for Somewhere and Marc Thiercelin.  Leg 3 seemed to be a 3 boat race with Somewhere at its head.  On Valentines Day Somewhere was 42 miles in front of PRB with Fila in 3rd.  Two days later PRB had been abandoned and Isabelle Autissier rescued by Soldini not Thiercelin.   Controversy ensued.  Later, Theircelin admitted to mistakes during the rescue, "Knowing what I do now, I realize I made two errors ... had I been communicating directly with the Race Operations Center (ROC) in Charleston, I would have immediately stopped and waited for instructions on how I could have helped. I regret deeply that I did not do so."  His Leg 3 was topped by a dismasting, and a pit stop in the Falkland Islands.  All of this put Somewhere 13 days behind Fila.  In effect the overall race title was Fila's.  Thiercelin hoped to regain some pride by finally winning a leg.

Leg 4 began well for Thiercelin.  However, by 13 April Fila had taken the lead.  By April 20 Fila's lead was almost triple digits.   In Giovanni Soldini's words this is how the lead grew: ""Below Cabo Frio I headed towards land to pick up some breeze and that decision proved the right one. The wind changed and when I turned round I'd gained a good 15 degrees to the north in relation to Marc who was stuck on a terrible route too far east."  From this point on Somewhere never threatened Fila.

Leg 4 ended up as another frustrating episode for Thiercelin as he finished over a day behind Fila.  However, now that the boat is sorted out Thiercelin may have a needed reliability edge for the upcoming Vendee Globe.

Fleet Round Up:

Magellan Alpha is now closest to Charleston.  With 256 miles to go Mike Garside expects a Tuesday finish. 

Cray Valley is 2nd by 214 miles.   J.P. Moulgine has not given up hope on a comeback: "I will weight my options carefully and maybe get one more chance, but time is running out quickly."

Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change.  Wind of Change is 831 miles back.  Although Viktor Yazykov's race has not been ideal, he comments: "I HAVE A STRONG FEELING, THIS IS THE BEST TIME OF MY WHOLE LIFE."

Shuten Dojhi II shows in 4th place 1508 miles back.  Minoru Saitp reports: "Shuten-dohji II has big problem [with] starboard side shrouds (middle). 3 wires cut parts of swagging, I found just now."   Still one feels that Minoru will make it to Charleston.

www.no-barriers.com is back to 5th place. No Barriers is 1529 miles back sailing at 7 knots.  Neal Petersen still hopes to catch Shuten Dojhi and describes his strategy: "I am heading more toward the lefthand side of the race course headed toward the Caribbean and now sort of abeam of the Caribbean, but on the same latitude and trying to get a little closer to the islands and hopefully I can get some wind off of the islands should the high pressure be very dominant."

Paladin 2 is 1713 miles back.   Neil Hunter reports steady progress.

Balance Bar has overtaken Paladin 2.   Her 9.4 knot speed is 2nd fastest of the remaining fleet.

is almost even with Paladin.  With a speed advantage Balance Bar could pass Paladin today.

What does it all mean ?

While Giovanni Soldini was able to overcome a first leg 5th place Marc Thiercelin never could fulfill his desires.  In a race where non reliability was the major story Thiercelin had enough reliability problems to cost him the race.  If he sorts these he may win the Vendee Globe.

Cumulative Standings Table

Last Updated: 15-Feb-05 08:40