Pete Goss finished in fifth place in the 1996 Vendée Globe.  At the moment he is sailing a hundred miles or so to the south-west of the leaders in the Vendée Globe, but this time on a very different type of boat, a reconstruction of a nineteenth-Century lugger. On his way to Cape Town after setting out from Cornwall a month ago, he too is just leaving the Doldrums. Here is what he had to say about his experience this week:

"This is my fifth time through the Doldrums and I can safely say that it has been the worst by far and we have as yet to clear them. After a day of squalls and heavy rain the sky allowed a peep of blue to show through the oppressive grey that we have been suffering this last week. The night saw a few showers but this was more than made up for by a bright moon and star studded sky. Our world, closed down under a carpet of grey was stretching itself and expanding into a gloriously vivid and vibrant expanse. Even the flying fish have started to fly again. The sea, in sympathy with this new order, has calmed a bit and has been joined by a large swell from the south east as the South Atlantic high starts to show its influence. Although the Doldrums have been bad they have not been as frustrating as in the past because we are not racing. There is nothing worse than being becalmed in the knowledge that the competition, no more than thirty miles away could be creaming away at ten knots. This time I have actually been able to enjoy the intensity and diversity that it has to offer if you take the time to stop and look."

 

This week, the Race Directors sent the following message to the competitors:
«As planned with CLS (satellite data collection service), observations were made by satellite radar on 15th and 16th November at the latitude and longitude of the ice gates. These observations have not identified any icebergs north of 48° south at the longitude of Atlantic Gate 1 and none north of 52° south at the longitude of the second Kerguelen gate. The Atlantic Gate therefore remains in the location initially defined in Race Instructions: 42°00S between 01°00 E and 11°00 E. Please note that the absence of ice in the observations made by satellite radar does not mean there is no drifting ice.»
Eight ice gates (virtual lines of latitude that the competitors must respect) were set up by the organisers for safety reasons. Depending on satellite observations, these gates may be moved.

 

Steve White (Toe in the Water), now in 18th place after Michel Desjoyeaux has overtaken him, reports the arrival of some strange visitors this morning:  

"If I thought it was hot before I was mistaken, now it is really hot! I made the mistake of slowing the boat right down to do a sail change, and as soon as you stop the cooling breeze coming over the deck then it really hits you, it is roasting and the sun is very powerful. It makes it difficult to sleep except for at night, and it takes your appetite away too.
 
I have had some strange visitors in the past 24 hours - first a small fly with disproportionally large wings, then a moth at the lights at the chart table, a sabre toothed giant fruit fly that went for a swim before it could bite me, and then the daddy of them all, a giant black cricket who was as fat as my thumb and as long as my index finger, not counting his antennae and three pronged forked tail. He was lovely, and sat on my finger for a moment, until I decided he had better take his chances and fly off to wherever it was he had come from. I launched him - and he didn't fly. I felt terrible, either he was flightless and got here by some other means, or he had a real short term memory problem and just forgot to flap. I couldn't keep him really, I don't think I'd have had enough food on board! What's so strange about a few insects I hear you ask; well nothing, except we are 700 miles downwind of Africa and 400 miles from the Cape Verdes!"

Yesterday Dee Caffari (Aviva) was trying to chill out by listening to some music.  It seems to have paid off, as over the past 24 hours, she covered 268 miles.  She is currently in 15th place, 268 miles from the leader.

" Well I guess that is what music does when sailing onboard Aviva. We have made great progress and had two days of fantastic sailing. All fast and in the right direction for a change. In fact my team will probably fall over when they read that I was even reluctant to drop the spinnaker this afternoon. It had been up since early the day before and I was relaxed and quite happy with it. This is an amazing progression as it is the first time I have used the spinnaker racing solo before on an Open 60. I was scared of it and had some coaching from Tanguy Leglatin to overcome my fears. Now I can honestly say it was great. The sail change has left me reaching south towards the Doldrums; I just hope the wind stays with me for a little longer."

"It is incredible to think how far I have come in such a short time and not just in this race. Three years ago today I set sail on the Aviva Challenge having never sailed solo before. Every day I learnt something and many days were lived in fear or discomfort. Now I am more than happy with the sailing and being alone. I am still learning every day, but this time from the tactics and strategies used in the racing. There have not been any tears yet … I am sure they will come… but just frustration at the miles lost or joy at the miles gained."
 

 

Message sent by Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at 01:50 last night:
«Dark night. Came across a tanker on ber way to "Bonny". No idea where that is. Must be the Gulf of Guinea, I suppose. The light winds have eased off. Cross seas that are not easy to deal with. Getting shaken around and not making good headway. But managed to get some sleep. Sleep well. Mich.»

In case you are wondering, the mystery is solved. «Bonny» is indeed a large bay between Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

"For several days, Cheminées Poujoulat has been sailing under spinnaker towards the Equator and the Doldrums. Looking at the speeds in the last scheds, some competitors look like they intend to moor up in the Doldrums.  I must not get too cocky though, as my time will come soon enough.  Life on board is starting to fall in place and I've got into a rhythm with the weather data and meals that I try to organise for the same time as back ashore. The rest of the time I spend getting the boat moving as fast as possible downwind, which means there is a lot of work.  I have to keep making small adjustments, work on the trim, change the sails and steer.  In amongst all that I need to remember to rest in order not to get run down.  It's not always easy to do. For me it may be a bit easier as the pressure comes from the clock and not from being surrounded by ten other competitors."