Vendée Globe

January 27. 2009 at 20:01Rustling and flapping

“Well I was very disappointed when I heard a rustling and flapping this morning as I trimmed for the 15 - 20 knots established trade winds I have finally found myself in. The repair to the mainsail needs attention again and I felt deflated. My hard work did not stand up to the test. Still there is nothing I can do about it now so I concentrated on sailing Aviva towards the doldrums as fast as I could. It was a wet and uncomfortable ride and there was lots of creaking and groaning coming from areas of the boat. The waves felt bigger and we certainly dropped off some big ones. As the afternoon progressed, the wind has lifted us, allowing us to crack sheets a little for a more comfortable ride and also to make a good heading rather than one heading for Brazil. The equator beckons and my toll to Neptune must be paid. With Michel Desjoyeaux looking to finish this weekend, I will be looking to making it into the same hemisphere as him and the same North Atlantic Ocean by the time he finishes. That will be my aim.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message
 

January 27. 2009 at 19:09ETA in Les Sables d'Olonne

Based on the latest analysis from Météo France using the positions from 9h this morning and the weather charts from 0h today, here are the ETAs in GMT for the first three boats:

Foncia :
ETA between 12h on the 31st January and 18h on 1st February

Veolia Environnement :
ETA between 12h on 2nd February and 12h on 4th February

Brit Air:
ETA between12h on 4th February and 0h on 7th February

January 27. 2009 at 18:55From the Horn to the Falklands

“Our rounding of the Horn was done rather appropriately in forty to fifty knots of breeze and large steep seas which were very close together. I gybed and completely rounded up, the first one of the entire race, as I came on to the shelf. The wind had increased and the seas were very short, crossed and now breaking, and I wouldn't have wanted to go around in too much more wind than that I can tell you - there was quite a bit of current too, nearly a couple of knots at times to add to the entertainment by further worsening the sea state. I finished up going around with three reefs and staysail because it was easier on the pilot, and there was less strain on deck gear from the staysail as it collapsed and filled as the boat was slewed around by the waves. I remember being on deck and watching the bow trying to force it's way through the wave in front, and a wave behind just curling and trying to break into the cockpit behind, that's how short some of them were! The island of Cape Horn actually became a lee shore as I got closer, so I had to gybe out and finished up so far offshore that I thought I was not going to see it as the visibility was so bad. Cape Horn was just a mark of the course to me up until that point, but when I was actually there I felt it did represent a lot more than that for us - it was the culmination of ten years of hard work to get here, the end of the Southern Ocean which had spared us, and the start of the last leg home. In many ways to have gone around in less wind would have left me feeling cheated, it was a proper rounding and I had my moneys worth. As soon as I was around I had dolphins, black and white ones of a kind that I don't remember seeing before, which really was the crowning glory of a fairly emotional moment and a time for a huge sigh of relief.

After the Horn it was straight on to Staten Island, which rises up almost vertically out of the sea giving one of the most spectacular coastlines that I have ever seen. All of the points, bays and other landmarks were obviously named for the most part by the sailors of many different nationalities who first went there. I was called up by the Argentinian Navy who popped out from behind the island. They were desperate to do something, anything to help! They spoke very good English and French, and were really polite, and the first voices I had heard over the VHF since passing Madeira on the way down. I didn't have the heart to tell them that if they helped me I would be disqualified!
We were quickly flushed onwards around to the Falklands by the current. Partly out of curiosity, and partly because there was so much wind I thought I'd be safe, I finished up too close to Stanley and the weather changed suddenly, left me in the lee of the island and pretty well parked up for hours in a large swell that meant I couldn't keep the sails in shape. It did give me chance, however, to have a look at a place which has fascinated me since it was in the news when I was small, and it was really strange to ponder then whys and where-fors of what had happened there whilst actually looking at the place for real. I suddenly heard a deafening noise; two fighters went overhead at full bore seemingly a hundred feet above the mast. I thought the end of the world had come and gone! It was the first man made sound I had heard since the ninth of November, and having been used only to the noise of wind and water it was a real shock!”
Steve White (Toe in the Water) in his daily message
 

January 27. 2009 at 16:04Jean-Pierre goes sailing again

After Paprec-Virbac 2 was safely aboard a cargo vessel on her way back to France, Jean-Pierre Dick went sailing in Auckland aboard a Class America boat this week. Invited by the French K-Challenge team, Jean-Pierre sailed with a crew of 17 and was able to take part in a training session.

JP Dick. “It was great sailing with K-Challenge in Auckland Bay. We had 17 knots of wind, calm seas, and had two races against Oracle with one in which Russell Coutts was at the helm of their boat. It was amazing to see 17 people aboard a boat and everything worked like clockwork. I went from one extreme to another: sailing alone for 2 months aboard Paprec-Virbac 2 and then nothing and then sailing alongside 17 others.”

Paprec-Virbac 2 is due back in Le Havre at the end of February and then she will be transported by road to Lorient. As for Jean-Pierre, he is planning to return to France in early February.

January 27. 2009 at 09:05Sam on waves

I have always classed waves into categories, and again on this trip
there are some very distinct groups of waves.
The "Surprise" Waves
This is a group of waves, not necessarily similar in physical characteristics, but they are guaranteed to pop up in annoying
situations:
1, when you have been helming for a while, dry decks, no waves, therefore you are in oilskin bottoms only....the wave hits the quarter and arrives from behind you and neatly fills up your oilskins and boots.

2, when you are sitting, nicely balanced, on the bucket.... need I say more!

3, You are to leeward, checking the trim, and the wave finds a way of defeating gravity and smacking you nicely in the face.

4, The wave manages to break cunningly into the cockpit, find its way down the hatch, and into the boat, cascading past you in a furious rush to soak anything that isnt waterproof on its way through!

The "Brown Trouser" or "white knuckle" waves
These are the kind of waves that I saw a lot of in the Southern Ocean, especially the Indian Ocean, and around Cape Horn. In these waves, it is advisable not to look behind you, or as I worked out, the best thing is just to not go on deck and look at all. You know, however, instantly
when you are on one, you start accellerating, the bow is pointing downhill.... then you keep accelerating, the whole boat vibrates, creaks and groans..... you have several ideas of how it is going to finish, and most of them are unpleasant!! Either sideways (the worst), or a faceplant, or a gigantic leap into thin air followed by a crash landing several metres down on the back of the next wave.

The "Top of The World" Wave
This is the best wave ever! There were loads in the South Pacific. They lift you up so high you can see around you as if you were on top of a hill, then you wizz off on an endless surf, the entire forward section of the boat out of the water, if you're on the foredeck you feel like your flying.....

The "Boat Breaker" Waves
The worst kind of waves, when you smash off each one, and the whole boat cracks and shudders. It is impossible to move around, impossible to sleep. Normally you have to slow down to negotiate these waves.

The "Redecorating" waves
These are like "Boat breakers" but less nasty, so you don't have to slow down. This results in a motion that renders any form of eating or drinking impossible, without at the same time redecorating the inside of the boat, and wearing most of your dinner.

The "Gift waves"
These are waves with hidden extras - they come with a gift inside that they deposit on the deck for you. Gifts include, squid, fish, seaweed, krill, oil slick deposits.....

The "Firehose" Wave
This is the kind of wave that never stops coming. It is very very wet and gets through even the most waterproof of clothing. The cockpit can't drain out fast enough and starts to resemble a swimming pool. Useful when the sea is warm to get a good hairwash! But beware of its capabilities to sweep you clean off your feet if you're on the bow!

Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

January 27. 2009 at 08:42Back in Les Sables

We’re moving! With a few days to go before the winner finishes back in Vendée, the Vendée Globe organisation is moving back to Les Sables d’Olonne, which will become the nerve centre for the race. The Village for the finish will be officially inaugurated on Friday 30th at 10h30, but is already set up, while the press room and directors are based in the premises of Ruchaud, behind the quayside in Port Olona.  The daily radio sessions will take place under the tents in the Village. The weekly radio show presented by Pierre Louis Castelli will take place on Friday 30th January (instead of Thursday).
 

January 27. 2009 at 08:05The perfect sailor

"Hi, I’m back!
It’s been a while since I left and have been alone out here doing everything for myself. When I say everything, that is exactly what I mean. It is our profession, but as sailing is simple. We’re always having to do other things, just to make sure we don’t get bored! So I’ve drawn up a list of what would makes the ideal round the world sailor. I’ve noted down the names of celebrities, who are renowned for their skills, talent, character or a particular quality (or fault depending on your standpoint!) in a particular area. This is of course not a complete list, but simply a list of suggestions for our little game! So in no particular order:
- the photographer, Robert Doisneau, for his skill at capturing scenes that will be remembered from ordinary life;
- Yann Arthus Bertrand, who takes pictures of the beauty of the world;
- Fellini, who doesn’t need a introduction
- Tintin, as everyone loves him;
- Tabarly, for his status as a hero – the indestructible menhir;
- Mac Gyver, who always knows how to get out of trouble with the means at his disposal;
- Gad Elmaleh, or how to make everyone laugh;
- Macha Béranger, who knows how to help those having doubts;
- Philippe Lucas, who will kick you into shape;
- Bernard Tapie, the friend of the man upstairs, who is never afraid to say what he thinks;
- PPDA and his brother to tell the epic story of those at sea;
- Jean Todt and the Ferrari team, who could repair your mast in ten seconds;
- Hitchcock, the master of suspense ;
- Bill Gates, not for his money (although…) but for his computing skills;
- The Pope, he is supposed to spread the Good Word;
- Léon Zitrone, the inimitable host of France’s “It’s a Knockout"
- Dior, if you have anything that needs to be sewn
- The surgeon, who carried out the first heart transplant (Christian Barnard - editor). You never know when that might be handy.
- Jean-Pierre Coffe, the only person who can make a healthy balanced soup, even when the fridge is empty.
Who else? We could go on and on.
Oh yes. You also need to know how to sail a bit, as that may be useful. But if you can’t an HGV licence will do. »
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) in his daily message

January 27. 2009 at 07:06Happy Birthday, Norbert

On the eve of his birthday at around 20h00, the Austrian skipper passed the final Ice Gate. Today, Norbert Sedlacek is celebrating his 47th birthday! The route is clear ahead of Nauticsport-Kapsch. He can now dive south to get around Cape Horn, which he is likely to reach in a week or so.

January 27. 2009 at 06:55Spanners out again for Brain

“Bahrain Team Pindar is through the Rio doldrums and heading up past the coast of Brazil. Sailing upwind in 6-13 knots of breeze, the wind is quite shifty with more squalls than usual in this part of the world, but we are making decent stop 'n' go progress towards Les Sables. The air here is crystal clear so the clouds are incredibly sharp. At night the stars are almost down to the horizon. The sun at midday is straight above me as the sun’s declination is similar to the boat’s latitude, so the combination of clear air and the vertical sun could make a recipe for sunburn. But little chance of sunburn as just when I thought I would start getting on top of the job list a spanner gets thrown at me! Both Sunday and today I have spent a lot of time working on the alternator down below. It had overheated in the early hours of Sunday because the fan disc at the front had become loose and then damaged. I had the old alternator, and I tried to cannibalise the parts of that, and it took most of the day on Sunday to take apart, as it had been put together with powerful air tools. Eventually I got it done, which was a big relief, and ran the engine. Concurrently, I worked on the wind generator which was not charging either, but have not yet solved that one. Today I noticed that the alternator fan disc was still not quite right and worked again on improvements by further adapting the 2 broken alternators to make one good one. Fingers crossed this time it’s a winner, I will be trying it tonight.”
“All these repairs mean that I cannot be quite as on top of the sailing as I would like and I consequently end up reacting to events rather than anticipating them and taking best advantage of them. Using squalls would be an example of this, and I am letting the pilot do all the steering except in the lightest conditions and biggest of gusts. I have lost a little to Sam and Marc, but I think that is more a function of the differing winds we have. I am still on deck every 10 minutes, but then I am usually back below to continue work straight away. Overall, the boat is going well with the J1 and the full main. At times, I take a short break and just watch the boat sail, and take in the amazing SE tradewind scenery of sky, clouds and sea. And there can be a great sense of satisfaction to have overcome another set of hurdles. At the same time the mileage to Les Sables shrinking, and that’s when the checks, repairs and maintenance will end.”
Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) in his daily message
 

January 26. 2009 at 08:44Mainsail car problem on Nauticsport-Kapsch

Yesterday evening at around 22.00 GMT, the mainsail car on Nauticsport-Kapsch got stuck again, but this time not at first reef, but second. It was very windy and wet and Norbert found it very difficult to free the car. After a struggle, he managed to bring it down and lower the mainsail. After that, the Austrian sailor had to remove the car and dismantle everything to be able to get the car back on its track. This took him seven and a half hours, but the result is that now he can only use his mainsail to second reef.