Vendée Globe

November 16. 2008 at 13:17Steve White Dolphin Friendly

An excerpt from the Steve White Blog today, all well on board Toe in the Water. Steve took time to inspect the front watertight compartments in the bow sections of the boat, and found them......watertight, a pleasing result since he had removed many deck fittings during their hasty refit in Les Sables d'Olonne

" I had to take the spinnaker down for a while to do some work on the end of the bowsprit, we wheren't moving very much anyway, so I figured then was as good a time as any. We had a new arrangement for the bit of string that holds the spinnakers out at the end of the bowsprit using a stainless steel ring for the rope to pass through rather than a nice block, and the ring was hacking it's way through my nice new peice of string! I got into the bosun's chair, put on a headtorch and hauled myself out to the end of the bowsprit and started sorting things out. It was flat calm by this point, and I was engrossed in what I as doing, with my backside two feet above the water so you can imagine my surprise when a dolphin surphaced to breathe right underneath me - I could have touched him, and I was close enough to get a good blast of  his breath! I nearly jumped out of my skin I can tell you. He was about five or six feet long I suppose, although he seemed about thirty when I saw him first! He wasn't at all afraid, just curious. Wherever you sail, the groups of dolphins seem to have different characters, sometimes they stay and play, sometimes they don't, sometimes they just cross your path and don't stop at all like they're really on a mission, but these ones are still here some hours later."
 

November 16. 2008 at 10:59Pink shoes

"I've washed my hair.  I'm all clean with fresh clothes on. The only problem in this fashionable get up is my shoes!  It's great to have grabbed some sleep.  Today I took advantage of some calm to wash my hair and take a real shower with a bucket of seawater.  Life begins again today and I think tonight I'll sleep well." Sam Davies (Roxy)

 

November 16. 2008 at 07:55Dominique Wavre parked up for 4 hours

"The trade winds, which have been dying away took their last breath early in the night.  A huge cloud and then no more wind.  One last surge on a little wave and Temenos comes to a standstill.  4 hours parked up here, then the sky clears, not a single cloud, and the moon and stars appear and we're on our way again albeit very slowly, like someone getting over a touch of the trade winds...
It's very light, but at least in the right direction.  Let's just hope it lasts!"

Dominique Wavre on Temenos2.

November 16. 2008 at 07:44Norbert Sedlacek's log

"Perfect sailing conditions, but a few minor problems, which give you things to do even on the best of days. Since yesterday I've been busy trying to see what is wrong with the water maker.  There doesn't appear to be any signs of damage, yet it's only producing around 10% of its theoretical capability. I hope to find the solution by tomorrow.  Will let you know.  Up until now have spent about seven hours with the tools out trying to understand what's wrong."  
Norbert on Nauticsport-Kapsch

 

November 16. 2008 at 07:14Message from Derek Hatfield

As I write this note, Cape Finisterre is visiable out the port side and I am just about to jibe to the south and continue chasing Bernard. I've been able to make some headway on him as I brought in the new wind from the north. I suspect though he will have slipped away after turning the corner as it is a much better wind angle as we head south. Next goal for me is to pass west of Madeira and to make some more time on the tail end of the fleet. More soon.
Take Care
Derek (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada)
 

November 16. 2008 at 07:05Message from Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia)

"The night time is the time to get some sleep too.  In spite of being tossed around. The sea is all over the place, so the boat is finding it difficult to keep a steady speed. As soon as she takes off, a wave comes at us diagonally to counteract the power of the wind; so she tries again and the same thing happens. A bit annoying.  So, as a a consequence, it's difficult to now which sail is the most suitable in the circumstances, which is why I'm sleeping. Can't remember any of my dreams or my nightmares. I must be sleeping well.  Time for another one.  That will mean I'll be in great shape when it's time to go to church."
Mich

November 16. 2008 at 06:58Message from Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas)

"Hi there, Fine weather and beautiful seas. Great night out heaving on the ropes on one side and the other, playing with the air currents; the veranda has been opened up to let some air in. The heat will be stifling later today (better make the most of it!).  Today is Sunday, so time for a shave and then the sun cream goes on."
Arnaud

 

November 15. 2008 at 21:28Loïck Peyron's Saturday routine

For Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80) at the front of the fleet, today is clearly a Saturday, just like back on dry land...

"Everything is great out here.  I'm taking advantage of the fine weather to get a good wash.  As it's Saturday, I have my little list of things to do.  I'm going to wait a bit for the sea to calm before climbing to the top of the mast.  When you're thirty metres up, it tends to move around quite quickly..."

 

November 15. 2008 at 18:54Letting some air in

"In general, I'm pleased about my trajectory to the west.  I willingly gave up a little ground to head off  in that direction and I don't have any regrets about that, as it has allowed me to move away from the wind shadow of the islands.  If I'm managing to catch up those in front, it means things are going well.  Temenos II is sailing well and it's great for the morale, when I see the miles being won back.  The night started off nicely, with a steady 20 knots with 25-knot gusts and a few squalls. (...)  Then, after 3 in the morning, the wind dropped and I only have around ten knots.  The trade winds seem to have been interrupted and we're going to face two days of light conditions.  The boat doesn't sail by herself and the sea and waves tend to move her to the left and right, as the wind is so irregular. So it's better to stay at the helm and trim to ensure she keeps going well.  That requires concentration, and quite  lot of coffee, but it's not unpleasant. It's really nice weather and the conditions are quite pleasant.  I opened up the boat to let some air in and dry outside the inside, which is a good thing.» Dominique Wavre (Temenos II)

November 15. 2008 at 16:12Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty to restart the race

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Maisonneuve) has called the measurers in Les Sables d’Olonne to ask them to seal his engine: he intends to start the race again at around 17h (local time) on Sunday 16th November. 

"Having spent a long time reflecting on this decision and in spite of how far behind the fleet I shall be, I have decided nevertheless to set out again. My sponsor, Jean-Paul Hembise, CEO of Groupe Maisonneuve, joined me yesterday in Les Sables d'Olonne and we talked things through. Whether it was with him, the whole team or the race directors whom I have just informed, everyone agrees that it is out of the question for me to take any risks. Once in the South Atlantic, if I have the slightest doubt about going any further, because I am still so far behind the rest of the fleet or I feel like fate is against me, I shall take the necessary decision.  We will thus be able to avoid having any regrets and have a sense of fulfilment, whatever happens. For the moment, it does not look unreasonable to set out again. On Maisonneuve, the glue work is over. We have the painting left today and then we have to tidy her up.  As far as the weather is concerned, I'll be setting out in light conditions in the Bay of Biscay, which will allow me to find my feet.  It should take two days to reach Cape Finisterre and pick up a favourable northerly flow of around 20-25 knots off the coast of Portugal. From the race point of view, my goals are firstly to attempt to catch up a  few competitors before the Cape of Good Hope and, secondly,  to race to improve on Vincent Riou's 2005 reference time of 87 days."