Vendée Globe

December 01. 2008 at 16:55A jarring pain for Rich Wilson

"The boat structure has a wave-focusing physic into the cabin, when the bow pounds down, the cabin, after a slighly delay, sledgehammers up. This is what re-opened the rib problem a week ago, and did so again last night.  Standing in the cabin watching the instruments, braced in every direction, the boat leapt off a wave and pounded down up forward. 1/2 second later, a sledgehammer shot was applied upward through my feet and skeleton, and I could actually feel the rib healing area tearing again. Mon dieu! Will it ever heal?!"
Rich Wilson (Great American III)

December 01. 2008 at 15:50Hoping for a rest

"I'm pretty tired because I manoeuvred a lot in the last hours. I gybed at night, and took the gennaker down this morning: it was getting a bit tricky given the wind conditions. I have 23 to 28 knots of breeze, and big downwind sails are difficult to handle over long periods when it blows hard. I now have one reef in the main and the Solent jib, it's still fast but much more stable - it will allow me to get some rest, and that's exactly what I'll do after I hang up!"

Sébastien Josse (BT) remains in the lead this afternoon.

December 01. 2008 at 14:01Attack of the baby squid

"Yesterday I saw some interesting wildlife. In the morning, Roxy was covered in little squid. So I guessed that we had been under attack during the night! Guillaume, one of the Roxy boys, would have had a whole meal out of what was on deck, but eating them raw like that is not my cup of tea! Later on during the day, I saw my first albatross and even a seal! I didn't realise seals swam so far away from land. Nice to have a bit of company anyway.  It was such a busy Sunday and I am glad I got all my jobs done. I even had time for a last bucket shower, in the evening sunshine, probably the last time I chuck seawater over my head until after Cape Horn!  It was yet another beautiful sunset and Roxy was bubbling along under spinnaker. Just perfect sailing and hard to believe we are in the Southern Ocean. The sun dropped into the sea, colouring the sky oranges and pinks and turning the sea into an oily blue. The sky above, the colour of twilight, decorated by a slither of the new moon. It is good to see the moon again putting to an end these pitch black nights we were having, where it is impossible to see anything. The stars are less easy to see now. However once we are in the "land of the shadows" for real, to see any star will be a treat as the sky is nearly always cloudy."

Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message

 

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.