"Fine night, choppy to begin with, but steady trade wind with a moon lighting the way. Broad reaching with automatic pilot and big gennaker.  I start to snooze, keeping one eye on the dials, as frequently surfing at 20-22 knots, and heeling over occasionally.  All of a sudden the pilot alarm went off.  I rushed outside and saw we were broaching.  I leapt to the helm without my foul weather gear on, with tons of water crashing down.  We were under gennaker (300 m2), staysail and mainsail and heeled over at 50°. I turned the alarm off and bore away and to my surprise, Temenos righted herself.  We were still sailing quickly and the leeward rudder stayed in the water.  Got the boat back on track and put the pilot back on and it seemed to work....Hurried back inside to start up the engine to charge the batteries, as sometimes the problem can be electrical (I'm a bit wary after the problem at the start).  I stayed up for a couple of hours and all seems well.  Waiting to see whether pushing the boat so hard has paid off and whether I've narrowed the gap." 

Message from Dominique Wavre (Temenos)


 

«Hi, Who's stolen my washing up liquid? I did a spot of advertising for the verandas in the  Canaries; I didn't hang around, but I'm sure the message was understood. In any case, very busy on board and very little sleep… »
Arnaud Boissières aboard Akena Vérandas

 

"Hi, I'm just off Cape Finisterre, the tip of Spain. All is well on board and I'm under spinnaker and full mainsail, taking advantage of the strengthening of the wind at Cape Finisterre.  You can't say I've been spoilt since returning to the race. Contrary to four days before, there was hardly any wind in the Bay of Biscay.  But that's behind me now. Have a good day."
Bernard Stamm on board Cheminées Poujoulat

 

The skipper of Maisonneuve, who returned to Les Sables d’Olonne on the night of 11th November after cracks opened up in the deck of his boat, told us in today's radio session that he would decide tomorrow morning, whether he would setting off again or not. Here is  what he said:
«The repairs are 80% complete. According to the inspection, there is in fact nothing more than what we could see on the surface (no structural problem - editor). We still have some work to do.  As far as getting back in the race is concerned, were giving ourselves until tomorrow lunchtime (Saturday) before taking a decision. It's great to start out again for the team for posterity on the one hand, but at the same time, we need to be rational to ensure that in all the excitement, we don't set off again only to fail again after ten days at sea. We're going to have to find the motivation to get the boat moving with no one around to emulate. I'm having dinner tonight with my  sponsor.  I've been talking it over with the team and my weather expert.  Personally, I really want to experience this adventure, but as a racer, it's tough. We're not talking about sailing a long way like Moitessier, but completing the Vendée Globe. »

 

Finally, yesterday, I cleaned up the oil! Hooray! It took me 5 hours, three special oil absorber sheets, half a bottle of washing up liquid and a lot of elbow grease - it's still not perfect, but I'm happy. Not too much damage to the spares (except the mess). It's still a bit slippery, but I will be
careful.
Today is the day of sail changes! With the wind between 10 and 30 knots, I have been changing between Gennaker + full main, all the way down to solent + 2 reefs. It's pretty  knackering, so I am trying to find a compromise between course, speed and sail config to economise energy and not loose speed with a pointless manouver. At some points I was doing 22+ knots, which appeared to terrify Pierre Louis on the radio vacation!! I took his advice (!) and calmed things down a little!!! (it was a bit fruity at the time!!) I have also managed to stick up all my cards and photos that I had received before the start, so Roxy is looking even more "homely" than ever! I even have a four leafed clover stuck on my "dash board" too! (merci Nico!) Lucky and Foxy are finding their sea legs, and have returned to their normal "spot" on my chart table, after having rapidly taken cover at the bottom of a gear bag for the first two days to avoid any flying around(I don't think they realise they are birds!)

"Everything is fine, except that the lads ahead of me are going really fast. When I match their pace, it really gets to me, as it's very hard on the boat. I'm surprised about how much of a risk they are taking.  I don't want to lecture anyone, but I don't feel like sailing in that way.  It's tough seeing them get away.  But I always remember that the equipment will let you know at some moment what you have put it through."