Vendée Globe

December 01. 2008 at 13:23Another broken car for Derek

"A bit of a shocker this morning to find another batten car on the mast broken and the batten hanging loose against the mast. As daylight came on I could also see damage to the mast track but once I could take a closer look by climbing up, it turns out that the track is damaged but not so much that the cars can go by. I had visions of the same thing back in Les Sables d'Olonne after the storm.  I've replaced the broken car with a spare one and after three hours or so, am  back up and running again. This is the second batten car that has broken and what is disconcerting is the fact that they are breaking and why? I will try and figure it out to prevent others breaking as I only have one spare left. "

Derek Hatfield (Algimouss Spirit of Canada)

 

December 01. 2008 at 11:25Just like England

"Feels like I have been in one massive squall for the last 24 hours – 20 – 28 knots of wind, thick cloud, and horizontal rain.  Sounds just like England.  Hope to have a little break in the weather at some point, but maybe not for 24 hours. Still, making good progress, and life on board is not to bad."

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) in his daily message

December 01. 2008 at 07:54Daily round-up

A transition day for the Vendée Globe fleet. Some are finding it difficult to get out of the St. Helena high, while others are beginning to pick up the winds that will take them to the Atlantic gate and the Cape of Good Hope.  See all the action and the latest news in the daily video for the 21st day of racing. Just click here.

December 01. 2008 at 07:02Norbert's Advent biscuits

"I'm sailing rapidly to the south towards the first gate, which I reckon to reach in about ten days.  Today, there was a magnificent sunrise,accompanied by some snarling gusts. I just noticed them in time and leapt outside into the cockpit like an old pirate and got through it by steering by hand, without taking in any reefs. Some wonderful moments, a backdrop of the wild force of nature, but there were some fabulous colours and with warm spray and the boat pushing through the seas.  Then the second highlight of the day: the opening of my first Advent biscuit tin.  Celebrated with three biscuits after my morning muesli and they were just great.  I'll be rationing out the rest."  Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his night message

 

December 01. 2008 at 06:30Already like the Forties

"It feels like the Forties already. A bit warmer and with fewer birds, but apart from that, it's the same. Low cloud cover with intermittent rain.  The wind is stronger than forecast gusting ten knots above the average speed, which isn't very stable either in strength or direction. In general the wind is on the beam, which means foul weather gear is required out on deck. However, this is allowing  Cheminées Poujoulat to make good headway and in the right direction, which is excellent. If all goes well, this wind should keep blowing until tomorrow afternoon. However, it's not really that pleasant, as the seas are coming towards us slightly, so the boat is being tossed around from wave to wave.  Already getting a meal is complicated. Thanks for all the birthday greetings..."
Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) in his night message

 

November 30. 2008 at 20:04Another great run for Bernard Stamm

Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) was once again today the competitor covering the most miles towards the finish.  Over the past 24 hours, Bernard, in nineteenth place, covered 327 miles.  He is now only 54 miles from Jonny Malbon (Artemis) and 702 miles from the leader.

 

November 30. 2008 at 19:32Dee shows us her damage

Yesterday, Dee Caffari (Aviva) suffered damaged to the tack fitting and spinlock jammer  for her staysail.  In her latest video, which you can view online, she shows us the damage and the lashings she has had to put in place.  Click here to see this video.  

 

November 30. 2008 at 17:54Marc Thiercelin our special guest tomorrow morning

Marc Thiercelin will be taking part in tomorrow's French radio session. The skipper of DCNS will talk about what exactly happened when his boat was dismasted and he will also be telling us about his future projects.  Remember you can listen to the show everyday live on the website and read about what the French skippers have been saying shortly afterwards. 

November 30. 2008 at 17:42Too dangerous in the lee of Trindade

At 17h15, Raphaël Dinelli informed the Race Directors that the conditions are stopping him from sheltering in the lee of Trindade. The swell is too high (1.5m to 2m), the wind is gusting, because of the effect of the volcanic island and the shoreline is too shallow, making it too dangerous for the boat.  He is therefore looking elsewhere to be able to stop in order to repair his mainsail halyard.  Once he has found somewhere, he will inform the Race Directors.

 

November 30. 2008 at 17:33Derek Hatfield trying to ward off Dejeanty

Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) in 24th place is now only 16 miles ahead of Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty and some 1468 miles from the leader.

"The wind had backed enough to start reaching again and it feels great not to be upwind. I am on the direct route south and the weather files look interesting ahead for the mid fleet positions. I think that there might be some room to make up some time on the frontrunners. Yesterday, my inexperience in the IMOCA 60 boats came to the fore as I tried all day to get the boat balanced and up and running smoothly. It was a very frustrating day knowing that Jean is moving up from behind and there is nothing I can do about it right now. I must have tried every sail configuration possible with the limited number of sails that I have to try and get the boat balanced so that I felt that it was meeting potential. I don't think I ever succeeded for more than a few hours at a time. The wind was variable and shifting 25 degrees each side as well. Today is a much better situation and I am trying hard to hold Jean of as long as possible.  If the weather files are correct, we might have downwind conditions with 30-35 knots in a few days. It's time to start thinking about those high wind days that we all want to experience in the south."