Vendée Globe

December 31. 2008 at 16:12Dee's mainsail troubles

"I could do with some sunshine though because I need to get out on deck and patch up my mainsail because it is falling apart. It needs to come down but to do that I need it to be sunny. I have been patching it for the whole of the Southern Ocean but the patches keep falling off so I am trying something different. All the layers are separating so I need to do something and hopefully I will be able to do it tomorrow because the forecast is for it to be easier and the winds to be lighter. Arnaud and I are in email contact and it is nice being so close. He told me had a lot of sunshine today whereas it has been really wet but I'm not sure if these lighter winds will allow me to gain a few miles. They are saying it is the worst weather the Vendée has ever had. I've had worst weather than when I've been down here before but I was in a boat which was designed for that sort of weather. It's very different when you are racing in an Open 60. But I am really enjoying this. I can't believe I am half way round the world in 50 days. It is really cool doing it this fast."
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message
 

December 31. 2008 at 15:08Smooth sailing for Derek

"The winds are cooperating for now and I have 23 knots from the south west so I'm being pushed along smoothly towards land. The winds dropped to 13 knots over night and I even ventured to put the staysail up for a while which really helped me along. Now the wind is back in the low 20's so I have taken the staysail down as I don't want to take any chances on over-stressing the mast. Unfortunately, the synthetic rigging on the port side that is damaged is taking a beating as it winds itself up and then unwinds itself and flogs against the spreaders and mast in the process. I'm not sure how much will be usable by the time I reach land. I've been cleaning the inside of the boat and getting all the water out. A case of chocolate boost drink exploded in the rollover so I have liquid chocolate everywhere. It's getting warmer now and it is starting to smell. You get the picture. 
I've had a lot of sleep in the last day and the sun is shining this morning so my outlook on the whole situation has improved dramatically."
Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) in his daily message
 

December 31. 2008 at 14:01Loïck spends 4h in Australia

Three weeks after Gitana Eighty’s dismasting in the Indian Ocean, Loïck Peyron arrived in Perth at 0845 this morning (local time) after sailing over 2800 miles under jury rig. After customs formalities, Loïck Peyron was able to join up with Dominique Wavre and Mike Golding. It was an opportunity for the three sailors to share their thoughts and discuss the terms of the repatriation of their respective boats. In mid-January, Gitana Eighty, Temenos and Ecover are due to be loaded onto the same cargo ship bound for Europe. Once reassured, Loïck hopped onto a plane to return to France just four hours after reaching Australia.
 

December 31. 2008 at 13:33Yann back in Brittany

Yann Eliès flew into Paris early this morning with his family on a flight from Perth. He then took an internal flight to Lannion in NW France accompanied by a doctor and nurse. He will thus be back in Brittany with his friends and family to see in the New Year, although it will be in a clinic, rather than in his home. On his arrival in Paris, Yann expressed his thanks to the medical team in Perth, who confirmed the fractured femur and spotted a fractured pelvis and backbone. Following an operation he has been able to move around in a wheelchair and regained a semblance of independence. He now faces 6 weeks of complete rest in the clinic and this will be followed by six months of therapy.
 

December 31. 2008 at 12:47Bernard Stamm on Reunion Island

Bernard Stamm arrived on Reunion Island yesterday morning (local time) aboard the Marion Dufresne supply vessel. They were able to unload Cheminées Poujoulat and place her in a secure zone, where a thorough inspection will be carried out.
 
“We are in the NNW of the island, in a port situated between Saint Denis and Saint Paul and referred to as the Old Harbour in Reunion. We are housed with a local family. Yesterday, after getting off the Marion Dufresne, we thanked the crew and then went for dinner and off to bed. I removed the keel during my stay aboard the Marion and today we’re going to clear away everything we can on Cheminées Poujoulat so that Jacques Le Berre (an expert in composites) can get to work to assess the damage. What happens after that will depend on the results of this analysis. Things are a little better on a personal level, even though it’s high time I saw my family again. In the meantime I wish you all festive tidings and above all a very happy new year.”
 

December 31. 2008 at 10:46Easy miles for once

"We've been making good time today, in the right direction, with little loading of the boat, I can't remember when we last did this. The boat is sailing very well, balanced, nearly full keel cant, for the slight variations in the wind direction and speed that are normal, the balance of the sails and the autopilot is good, we keep charging along, and power occasionally up to 16/17 knots, but without the chaotic charges down waves up to the 20s that we've had in the storms before. We can see the horizon, it's been a while since we've seen that also, so I keep looking for ships, but have seen none. A few albatross circle; the sky is very gray; misty rain comes along occasionally; yet the rainsqualls have only an extra knot or two of wind, not an extra 20 knots. Needed this day, needed to make some easy miles ..."
Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message
 

December 31. 2008 at 06:24Sam's brains

"Did you know that offshore sailors (maybe everyone) actually have two brains? Well, we do! One is a clever brain, that makes all the right decisions, is sensible, tidy, rational and patient; the other is the "stupid brain" that makes silly mistakes, and generally tries to create havoc! Normally, we exist with the two brains in "synch" and fortunately the clever brain seems to keep the stupid brain in check most of the time! There are, however, small flaws that can cause "hiccups" if not best avoided. The clever brain is not perfect, and it is certainly not a "morning" brain! It takes a lot of time to wake up and get functioning. Unfortunately, on wake up, the stupid brain is up and running at 100% in a matter of seconds. This stupid brain then tries to persuade you that it is your clever brain so it can get control.....Obviously, lacking the clever brain, (who has pressed "snooze" on its alarm several times by now) you are unable to analyse which brain is in action, and that is where potential disasters can happen! Thus, the moral of the story is - when you wake up after a little sleep beware of the stupid brain, and wait a bit before trying to do something complicated or making a tactical decision, to give the clever brain time to get going!Just this morning, I made the error of listening to my stupid brain and I gybed too early! How annoying is that? It's been a long time since I fell into this trap. And if you ever hear me talking rubbish on the "vacation radio" you now know that it is probably because I've just woken up and its my stupid brain talking, not the clever one, so just ignore me!"
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

December 30. 2008 at 20:05Greatest distance over 24 hours

Over the past 24 hours, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) currently in the lead, 9158.2 miles from the finish, sailed the greatest distance towards the finish. Between 19h yesterday and this evening, he covered 399.4 miles
 

December 30. 2008 at 15:56For your gifts, think Vendée Globe

The Vendée Globe boutique is open 24 hours a day and you can choose what you want from the comfort of your home by clicking here

There is a complete range of clothes and accessories, for men, women and children all bearing the Vendée Globe label. Delivery is possible to anywhere in the world.  

December 30. 2008 at 14:26Yesterday once more

"I have checked my watch and then checked it again as I am now confused. In the early hours of this morning I crossed the date line and now sail in a westerly longitude that is decreasing. This now means that it is yesterday once more. After sailing across the date line three times now in the last four years, it is great to finally get a day back in my life again. If you are confused, don't be. It is a little complicated so to avoid any time calculations I keep Aviva in UTC so my time is the same as at home. This makes life easy for weather files and communications; however it really does confuse the stomach as to what meal it should be consuming. The Pacific has so far been kind with smoother seas and fair winds but not very nice weather to match. I have spent lots of time in mist and fog and general drizzle which emphasises the greyness of the Southern Ocean. I am slowly making my way towards the next ice gate that should be my New Year’s present to myself."
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message