Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick’s boat has been loaded aboard a cargo vessel in Malaysia and is now heading for Le Havre.
The skipper from Nice retired from the race on 31st December after his port rudder was ripped off when he collided with a UFO, shortly after passing New Zealand. This weekend, Jean-Pierre was present in les Sables d'Olonne to welcome Armel Le Cléac'h.
“Today I have had four seasons in one day or it certainly feels like it. At dawn we were slow, trying to make the best of the breeze and it wasn't quite as the grib files suggested so I had to be patient. Then during the afternoon the sun was glorious and I sat outside and enjoyed it as we went along downwind. I knew the wind was to come forward on us and in anticipation I changed my headsail. Then whilst down below the wind did a quick 180 degrees and rather than being at 20 knots rose to 35 knots with a sea state to match. Now I had a bit on and got thoroughly drowned in the process. So now I find myself sat in a northerly wind that has a rough sea state and a grey miserable sky to match. The wind strength is very up and down but I am now cautious as my main sail doesn't like these conditions very much and the fibres are getting close to giving out, so I have to think big picture of getting to the finish line.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message yesterday evening
“Today has been a full-on and fun day on the water! The wind gradually built all day, in the afternoon we had 35 knots of wind. The waves have become very difficult as Roxy and I have been passing over various banks and shelves around the Azores islands. By the end of the afternoon, we were being attacked by giant breaking waves coming from different directions, coupled with a wind reaching 40 knots. The result was a few "wipeouts" caused by the breakers, plus several "fill-ups" of the cockpit, the waves also managed to open a spinlock clutch (!), and very nearly tore away my lifebuoy! Now, the front is passing over us, with frequent 45-knot squalls, for a while we sailed under a 3-reefed main alone! I have gybed and Roxy is sneaking past just a few miles to the South of Terceira. I can see the lights of the towns on the island, and I can smell the land! It is the first time I have seen civilization since leaving Les Sables d'Olonne three months ago! I have to keep going back on deck to have another look, but then I see the huge scary waves in the moonlight and decide I'm better off inside! Hopefully the sea state and wind will calm down soon so that I can put a bit more sail up and speed up a bit, but for now it is "sail safe" mode on board Roxy!”
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
“26/38S 37/03 W, 8.5 knots, staysail, one reef, 20 knots of wind NNW, came through trough last night. If you haven't seen a South American thunderhead, you haven't seen a thunderhead. Who knew the sky was that tall?! Totally intimidating in the moonlight, but we lucked out and didn't get a lot of incremental wind to force sail changes. This morning spoke to the M/V Protector, Captain Raz (India) in command, bound for Santos, Brazil, to Durban, South Africa for bunkering (take on fuel), then to Singapore to deliver its 40,000 tons of sugar. Had a nice chat on VHF with the good captain.”
Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message
“Finally, the Pink Rocket is hooning along downwind again! Yesterday was a very busy day at the office. I used every sail except the storm jib! We started off drifting along in a little zephyr under Code 0. As the wind strengthened, I put up Sophie the spinnaker, which was a great moment!! Soon, the staysail was working too, inside the spi... Late afternoon, and a BIG black squall cloud started chasing us. By precaution, I decided to drop the spinnaker as there were already 24 knots of wind, a good decision as the squall brought 30 knots! Afterwards, it was time for Genevive the gennaker to stretch her cloth! But by the evening, the wind was again starting to reach 30 knots, but this time a steady wind, no squalls, so I rolled away Genevive and had the usual tussle with her to get her through the forehatch and curled up in her bag! So, now Roxy is under Solent + ORC, to complete the full sail wardrobe of the day! The wind is fairly unstable and we are doing speeds between 11 and 20 knots. It is so nice to be going fast again, and not heeled over at 30 degrees! Next obstacle is the Azores, tomorrow evening, with a cold front passing over us at the same time to add to the difficulty factor! I have been invited to tea by a school in the Azores, but unfortunately I have to decline the kind invitation this time!”
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
As for Foncia, many skippers turned up today to pay homage to Armel Le Cléac’h. Michel Desjoyeaux was present, as was Jean Pierre Dick, whom Armel congratulated on a great start. Then, there were those who did not wish to miss Brit Air finishing: Vincent Riou, who had accompanied Armel for a large part of the voyage in the Atlantic and Pacific, and Jean Le Cam, for whom Armel was diverted after his boat capsized.
On the pontoons, there were some other familiar faces from the Figaro circuit, Gildas Morvan and Nicolas Troussel, a long time friend of Armel, with whom he won the Transat AG2R.
