Vendée Globe

November 30. 2008 at 07:07As dark as the inside of a cow

"Well the last 24 hours have been very full on again! I did a radio interview yesterday morning and shortly after the interview we parked up for a couple of hours, and then some huge black angry squall clouds rolled in. Very soon we had horizontal rain, and 30 knots of wind. I started with 1 reef and the jibtop, then 1 reef and the big Solent, then 2 reefs and the big Solent, then 2 reefs and the small Solent! It has been a succession of huge squall lines since the first one broke – the most powerful breeze hit about 20 mins ago recording 34 knots. I just about to go for 3 reefs and the staysail when the breeze moderated to 20 knots, so I have taken the opportunity to pound the keyboard.  Because there was so much cloud and rain last night the stars couldn’t pierce through, and that coupled with no moon = complete darkness. “As dark as the inside of a cow” is a phrase commonly used. It’s really hard to steer with no reference point or horizon, so I was overjoyed to let the pilot do the donkey work. He has done a great job all night, and I even managed to get some sleep. This much breeze has not been forecast on any of the models that I have, except as rainfall. I hope it moderates further through the day as it is pretty exhausting to say the least."  

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) in his daily blog last night.

 

November 30. 2008 at 06:44Friendly advice for Dee

"Finally, what we have been looking forward to for a week has finally happened. A lot of things have come together: the wind has shifter, so the route changes, so the sails change.  The temperature falls, the number of layers increases.  The fingers are numb.  Let's just hope the brain doesn't go the same way...We were heading south, but now we can turn to the east.  Remember Dee, it's left this time!"

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) by e-mail. 

 

November 29. 2008 at 18:37Dominique Wavre's weather analysis

Dominique Wavre (Temenos) is in 12th place 185 miles from the leader.  Like his rivals, he is busy studying the weather.
"Right now I have a really favourable breeze and I’m making 14 knots of boat speed in a fairly variable, moderate wind. There are some clouds still knocking about in this area, which are creating small unsettled patches. There is a uniformly grey sky forming a lid over the high pressure and in fact there are some unmistakable signs of this with the barometer reading 1031. The wind I have at the moment is only temporary. It will become increasingly erratic and we’ll have to mirror the shifts with the sheet trimming. The zone of high pressure is shifting eastwards and nobody is likely to come to a standstill for a long period of time. The frontrunners should be slowed a little more than us, but things aren’t likely to come to a complete halt. With my slight W’ly separation I hope I’m not going to lose too much time. It will all depend on how the zone of high pressure moves, so naturally there is a slightly random aspect to proceedings."  

November 29. 2008 at 17:09Uncomfortable ride nearly over

Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80) in fourth place this afternoon, 7.8 miles from the leader.
"It was a lively night with the wind climbing as far as 28-30 knots… We went through the entire sail wardrobe! The seas on the nose had the biggest impact though. The wind is tending to ease but it’s still very shifty.  I’m naturally looking a little at what my friends are doing in the east but I’ve noticed too that Michel Desjoyeaux has decided to skirt right round the outside out to the west. For those to the east, it’s coherent that with their slight deficit, they’re trying to cut the corner. Sébastien and I got here too early to do that.  It’s soon going to be time to turn left. I’m looking forward to it… it’s a real motivation to tell yourself that at the end of the weekend we’ll finally be sailing downwind, under gennaker, and no longer have to sail close-hauled suffering this uncomfortable ride.”

 

November 29. 2008 at 15:37Rich Wilson's penalty

The International Jury imposed a time penalty of half an hour on Great American 3 for passing a buoy on the wrong side shortly after the start of the race in Les Sables d'Olonne.   Rich Wilson carried out this penalty early this afternoon, as laid down in the Race Instructions:
"The penalised boat shall call the Race Management to agree upon a waypoint and a time where the penalty will be taken. When the boat passes the agreed waypoint in question, the skipper shall call the Race Management to confirm his/her exact position so that the penalty time can be recorded. When the penalty time has elapsed and this has been confirmed by the Race Management,the boat shall pass the same waypoint once again before continuing the race."

November 29. 2008 at 14:49Wind power

Raphaël Dinelli is determined to sail around the world cleanly using solar panels and a wind turbine for his source of energy.  His boat is now up and running after he had to prepare her during the race.  In his latest video he shows us his wind turbine working in its vertical position.  To see this, just click on video.

November 29. 2008 at 14:17A fairground ride

Sam Davies (Roxy) is in 13th place, 194 miles from the leader. 

"Yesterday I managed to get some rest and recharge my batteries. The upwind conditions continue but were pretty stable allowing me to chill out, just with the occasional trim, or ease, of sheets to be done from time to time. And at the end of the day I was treated to a  beautiful sunset which I will share with you!

Yet again, today dawns to show a bumpy and confused sea, and now the wind is a lot less stable - between 18 and 26 knots. Roxy isn't really happy and I have been struggling to find the right configuration for her. It is a bit like being on some kind of fairground ride that is totally unpredictable. Just when I think I have got used to the motion, we find another "hole" in the sea, and go crashing into it and that trips Roxy up and quite often takes me by surprise too! This is maybe a sign that we are nearing the high pressure and conditions are soon to change....Making tea this morning is going to be a high-tariff manoeuvre!"

 

November 29. 2008 at 13:07Into the Land of Shadows

Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air) is in second place, less than a mile from the leader.
"I'm a real fan of heroic fantasy and have with me the saga of the Lord of the Rings. In fact there are quite a few similarities between Tolkien's heroes and the Vendée Globe competitors: We are on a quest too, where there are a number of hurdles to overcome!  It's funny as I've just finished the first volume and the hero is about to continue his journey in the land of shadows… rather like us…" 

 

November 29. 2008 at 12:37Foul weather for Derek

"Slowly, ever so slowly the wind backs as we beat and thrash our way upwind. Most  uncomfortable. I'm not sure if the fleet ahead of me had upwind conditions like this but it would explain why they did not pull away after the doldrums like I thought they should have. Normally we would be close reaching down the coast of Brazil. Ironically when we come this way again in
7 or 8 weeks, we will probably be upwind again past Brazil towards the finish line. The humidity is taking its toll in skin rashes and blisters. Everytime I go on deck it's either a salt water shower or foul weather gear while sweating to death underneath. After more than two weeks at sea, I
begin to wonder if "foul" weather gear refers to the outside or the inside of the gear. Time for a good rain shower I'm hoping, before it gets too cold in another week or so. Time for lunch; chicken with noodles and  bread and peanut butter and jam.  And a French chocolate pudding for dessert."

Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) in his daily message.

 

November 29. 2008 at 11:10Cooling off...

"Lots of work to do during the night making small adjustments, as the wind was variable in strength and direction. I'm sleeping a bit outside in my red seat to be able to react quickly.  It's not very easy to rest but I don't know if the race will ever be!  The weather is really complicated.  Should we be on the direct route like Jean Le Cam and run the risk of getting close to the heart of the high or should we take the long way around like Loïck prolonging the distance? I prefer to go more slowly taking the middle route.  It's starting to get cold.  I have put on some extra layers of clothes, as the temperature is not going above 10°C.  In latitude, we're at 35° south, further down than South Africa. We're getting close to the Roaring Forties." 

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) this morning.