* Hull & Humber skipper safely medevaced to Japanese Coastguard vessel
* Spirit of Australia skipper takes command of Hull & Humber
* Team Finland’s mast clears customs

After sustaining a fracture to his right leg on the tenth day of Race 7,
Piers Dudin, Skipper of Hull & Humber has been safely medevaced by the
Japanese Coastguard. The 50 metre rescue vessel is now motoring towards
Japan where it will rendezvous with a larger vessel which has a
helicopter that will airlift the skipper to the city of Sendai,
approximately two hours north of Tokyo.

Reports from the boat suggest that a large wave hit the boat, causing
the skipper to be swept down the deck which resulted in the injury. Hull
& Humber crew member Tom Salt was on deck at the time. He says, “Two of
the crew were on the high side and got swept across the deck - one
stopping by the helm station and the other at the starboard quarter.
Piers was on the low side of the helm station and was swept into the
guard rail and then aft on top of the other crew member who was
uninjured. We believe that Piers caught the side of his right leg around
the forward starboard stanchion of the pushpit and the force of the
water broke his shin. Kevin (Austen) was on the helm, but managed to
keep control and did not lose contact with the wheel. Piers calmly
informed the crew he had broken his leg and was assisted down below,
giving calm instructions on what needed to be done.”

In a message to the crew, Clipper Race Chairman, Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston, praised the way the team had handled the situation. “You
have all been through a difficult ordeal over the last 36 hours, one
that very few people have to cope with. Thank you for the calm manner in
which you have dealt with the situation, this is a testament to you all
and also to the way Piers has instructed and managed the team. It is
also a sign of a very good team that can really pull together in times
of need.”

Following the incident and as one of the nearest vessels, Spirit of
Australia was called upon to shadow Hull & Humber as they headed west to
rendezvous with the Japanese Coastguard. With conditions safe enough for
a boat to boat transfer, skipper Brendan Hall moved on to Hull & Humber
to assist with the evacuation and has now taken charge of the English
entry for the remainder of Race 7.

In the meantime, round the world crew member Bob Bell has been appointed
acting skipper of Spirit of Australia on account of his experience and
qualifications.

Sir Robin says, “Bob is an exceptionally qualified crew member and has
completed approximately 10,000 miles of RYA courses, including RYA
Yachtmaster with ocean theory, and bareboat chartering. He also has more
than 35,000 miles experience from the Challenge Business, completing
their training course and taking part in the BT Global Challenge
2000-2001 race as a round the world crew member on the winning boat.
Added to that, Bob has 20,000 miles of offshore experience with Clipper,
including our comprehensive training course and more than 18,000 miles
of the 09-10 Race.

“He also has the support of another well qualified Yachtswoman, Liz
Simmons who is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster and the crew is now highly
experienced. With nine round the world crew members who have each
completed the Clipper training programme and 18,000 miles of the race,
they are a strong team and I have every faith in their ability.”

Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber have now turned east again and
been instructed by the Race Office to keep in close company for the
remainder of the 5,680 mile race to San Francisco.

“We have made the decision for both boats to continue to San Francisco
due to the weather forecast,” says Sir Robin. “Between their current
location and Tokyo is the remnants of the last low pressure system which
is currently centered over the Japan sea delivering steady winds between
25 to 35 knots. To head to Japan would mean sailing against the Japan
current and a nasty wind over tide effect. These conditions are
forecasted to persist for the next 24 to 48 hours and will make for a
very difficult ride for any boat that is heading west. The safest course
for the boats is downwind and they have been instructed to head east and
take it easy whilst everyone settles in to the new arrangements.”

Amongst the rest of the fleet, conditions have calmed and the mood is a
somber one as Piers’s accident serves a sharp reminder to all of the
dangers of ocean racing. Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper, Pete
Stirling, sums it up in his report to the race office today.

“First of all I must extend my heartfelt sympathy to Piers. Over the
course of the last year, since we have known each other, Piers has
become a good friend on land and a fine adversary on the water. It’s a
very cruel twist of fate that has caused him to be taken out of this
race in such a dramatic way. These things can happen in a blink of an
eye and it just demonstrates once again the immense power of the sea and
the amount of damage it can do. As one of my crew pointed out one cubic
metre of water weighs one tonne. On occasion we have a lot more water
than that coming across our decks and then it is also travelling at
speed.”

With two medics on board, Cape Breton Island, along with Spirit of
Australia, was initially called upon to rendezvous with Hull & Humber to
provide assistance if needed. They were stood down but the slight detour
has clearly not affected their performance and the team is now 75
nautical miles ahead of the chasing pack. However, following yesterday’s
incident skipper Jan Ridd’s team isn’t going to push their luck as the
Weymouth-based skipper explains.

“Last night we were carrying on the hunt for Hull & Humber and Spirit of
Australia when the satellite phone rang. I answered with a little
trepidation as we really only use this system for emergencies only. It
was Joff (Bailey, Race Director) who quickly explained that Piers had
been in a nasty accident and had possibly broken his leg and could we
standby to see if we could help as I have two qualified medics on board.
After a short while we were stood down which has allowed us to carry on
racing but under a very conservative sail plan. All of us have been made
very aware of the dangers of ocean racing.”

The Canadian team’s move to the front of the fleet means that their
North American rivals, California, will be fully focused on catching
them as they continue to chase the elusive home port win.

With the repairs to their mainsail now complete, skipper Pete Rollason,
says, “California is back on the race track at full speed. At about 0400
local time after battling for two hours the crew finally managed to get
the mainsail hoisted. The wind has eased this morning and so it’s just
as well the repair had been finished.

“We have used the respite offered by the light winds and sunshine to
conduct various equipment checks, undertake some preventative
maintenance and servicing, dry out our kit and recharge everyone’s
batteries.”
Likewise, Uniquely Singapore’s crew have used the break in the weather
to get their boat ship shape and ready for the next low pressure system.

“Singas has been a hive of activity today,” says skipper Jim Dobie. “We
have managed to fix our instruments which had been intermittently
shutting down due to some corrosion on wiring and connectors. Craig
(Davey) went up the mast and carried out a rig check and the team on
deck worked their way through halyards and sheets, checking wear and
chafe and repairing when necessary. As the next low starts to affect us
and the winds come in again, we are in good shape and itching for some
fast downwind weather. The race is still changing and we are now eyeing
up the gate and those extra points as we march onwards to San
Francisco.”

Meanwhile the crew onboard Edinburgh Inspiring Capital are busy
investigating a problem with one of their spreaders and are sailing
conservatively until the problem is resolved. This will come as a blow
to the team that is presently in second place and they will be hoping
that it can be sorted if they are to achieve their first podium of the
race.

Good news for Team Finland today as their replacement mast has now
cleared customs in Shanghai and is making its way by truck to Qingdao.
Expected to arrive at 1400 local time tomorrow, the crew will be
chomping at the bit to get to work and get back on the race track as
quickly as possible.

Positions at 0900 UTC, Friday 12 March

Boat DTF* DTL*
1 Cape Breton Island 3974nm
2 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 4048nm 75nm
3 California 4067nm 93nm
4 Jamaica Lightning Bolt 4069nm 96nm
5 Uniquely Singapore 4077nm 104nm
6 Qingdao 4129nm 155nm
7 Hull & Humber 4148nm 174nm
8 Spirit of Australia 4148nm 175nm
9 Team Finland 5612nm 180nm
10 Cork Did not start

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Franck Cammas and his nine crew are navigating through a difficult zone between a stormy low and the tradewinds of the Saint Helena High. In fact Groupama 3 will have to continue northward for another 36 hours before she can escape this meteorological minefield and pick up the thread of this Jules Verne Trophy again… Each puff of breeze translates as a gain or loss in relation to the reference time! 

There are still another 4,500 miles to go before they can get a glimpse of Finistère on the horizon! A sight Franck Cammas and his crew hope to see in eleven days if they are to stand a chance of beating the round the world record! Before all that though, they will have to escape the meteorological minefield, which has held Groupama 3 captive for over a day in shifty and rather unfavourable winds… Fortunately the 10-man crew are 100% focused on doing just that, though it is still tricky to cast one’s mind forward some ten days when you’re at sea. Whatever happens, the energy and atmosphere aboard the giant trimaran is so positive that the obstacles along the route are but trivial…

“We had some difficulties last night and since then we’ve had to deal with squalls every ten minutes, but we’re now beginning to escape this unstable zone! We’re not yet into the tradewinds, but it’s reminiscent of such conditions, even though we’re not yet reaching great speeds. Everyone is on watch in the rather pleasant conditions in order to build up their strength again. After 39 days at sea, we’re no longer having any problems in adapting to the weather conditions, but we have lost some weight and we’re longing to eat fresh food!” indicated Franck Cammas at the 1130 UTC radio link-up with Groupama’s Race HQ in Paris, in the presence of Frédéric Courant, co-host of a French science programme. 

 

Constant adaptation
The unstable zone of wind isn’t yet astern of Groupama 3 as they must not only leave behind them the stormy low, which has dramatically slowed their progress over the past two days, but also traverse a ridge of high pressure, which will be a tricky transition phase taking them on to the E’ly tradewinds of Saint Helena… For now then, the crew is constantly having to adapt with these changeable conditions!

“In the space of a minute we were able to have a wash in a squall! However, we’re trying to avoid being under the influence of a cumulonimbus where there isn’t a lot of wind… We can clearly see that the tradewinds aren’t far off now. We’ve pretty much had it with upwind sailing as the time goes slowly in these kinds of conditions. However, we’re going to have to be patient for another 36 hours before we find ourselves in a steadier and more favourable system. The passage of the equator is set for Sunday morning and in the meantime we’re going to flirt with the light airs. We’re going to have to make as rapid headway as we can to hold onto our chances of beating the Jules Verne Trophy record.” 

 

Tradewind instructions for use
“Groupama 3 has been sailing into the wind since Cape Horn and they’re going to have to wait till Friday night or early on Saturday before they track down more favourable winds… As such the next 36 hours will continue to be difficult, as they’ll have to traverse a ridge of high pressure. After the Doldrums, the NE’ly tradewinds are well installed in the North Atlantic and, following on from that, a depression will need to be created over the North American continent so as to propel the giant trimaran towards Ushant at high speed. There’s a strong likelihood of this happening too!” explained Sylvain Mondon from Météo France.

In the meantime, the giant trimaran is still managing to maintain a stable separation in relation to the reference time as Orange 2 didn’t have the wind gods on her side at this point in 2005 either. Whilst Groupama 3 is having to put in a series of tacks to make northing, her predecessor had to wait a while before they made it through to the tradewinds associated with the Saint Helena High. Currently with a deficit of around 300 miles, Franck Cammas and his men still have everything to play for as the ascent of the North Atlantic wasn’t very fast for Bruno Peyron and his crew… However, now more than ever before, every hour counts. 

 

Groupama 3’s log (departure on 31st January at 13h 55′ 53” UTC)
Day 1 (1st February 1400 UTC): 500 miles (deficit = 94 miles)
Day 2 (2nd February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 3.5 miles)
Day 3 (3rd February 1400 UTC): 535 miles (lead = 170 miles)
Day 4 (4th February 1400 UTC): 565 miles (lead = 245 miles)
Day 5 (5th February 1400 UTC): 656 miles (lead = 562 miles)
Day 6 (6th February 1400 UTC): 456 miles (lead = 620 miles)
Day 7 (7th February 1400 UTC): 430 miles (lead = 539 miles)
Day 8 (8th February 1400 UTC): 305 miles (lead = 456 miles)
Day 9 (9th February 1400 UTC): 436 miles (lead = 393 miles)
Day 10 (10th February 1400 UTC): 355 miles (lead = 272 miles)
Day 11 (11th February 1400 UTC): 267 miles (deficit = 30 miles)
Day 12 (12th February 1400 UTC): 247 miles (deficit = 385 miles)
Day 13 (13th February 1400 UTC): 719 miles (deficit = 347 miles)
Day 14 (14th February 1400 UTC): 680 miles (deficit = 288 miles)
Day 15 (15th February 1400 UTC): 651 miles (deficit = 203 miles)
Day 16 (16th February 1400 UTC): 322 miles (deficit = 376 miles)
Day 17 (17th February 1400 UTC): 425 miles (deficit = 338 miles)
Day 18 (18th February 1400 UTC): 362 miles (deficit = 433 miles)
Day 19 (19th February 1400 UTC): 726 miles (deficit = 234 miles)
Day 20 (20th February 1400 UTC): 672 miles (deficit = 211 miles)
Day 21 (21th February 1400 UTC): 584 miles (deficit = 124 miles)
Day 22 (22nd February 1400 UTC): 607 miles (deficit = 137 miles)
Day 23 (23rd February 1400 UTC): 702 miles (lead = 60 miles)
Day 24 (24th February 1400 UTC): 638 miles (lead = 208 miles)
Day 25 (25th February 1400 UTC): 712 miles (lead = 371 miles)
Day 26 (26th February 1400 UTC): 687 miles (lead = 430 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 797 miles (lead = 560 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 517 miles)
Day 29 (1st March 1400 UTC): 434 miles (lead = 268 miles)
Day 30 (2nd March 1400 UTC): 575 miles (lead = 184 miles)
Day 31 (3rd March 1400 UTC): 617 miles (lead = 291 miles)
Day 32 (4th March 1400 UTC): 492 miles (lead = 248 miles)
Day 33 (5th March 1400 UTC): 445 miles (lead = 150 miles)
Day 34 (6th March 1400 UTC): 461 miles (lead = 58 miles)
Day 35 (7th March 1400 UTC): 382 miles (deficit = 100 miles)
Day 36 (8th March 1400 UTC): 317 miles (deficit = 326 miles)
Day 37 (9th March 1400 UTC): 506 miles (deficit = 331 miles)
Day 38 (10th March 1400 UTC): 321 miles (deficit = 384 miles)
Day 39 (11th March 1400 UTC): 255 miles (deficit = 309 miles)

WSSRC record from equator to equator
Orange 2 (2005): 33d 16h 06′

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*  ”Sometimes you cry out in exhilaration and sometimes you just want to
    cry!” - California’s skipper on the joys of ocean racing.
*  Winds gusting in excess of 50 knots test the mettle of the crews
*  Fleet makes fast progress towards scoring gate and San Francisco.

The Pacific is throwing her full weight at the Clipper 09-10 fleet and
the last 24 hours have been tough. Now the winds have moved behind the
fleet they are making fast progress towards their goal of San Francisco
and they should continue to do so for the next few days.

The huge forces exerted on the 68-foot ocean racing yachts are powerful
and the massive seas and high winds mean the helms and on-watch crews
cannot lose focus for a second - but ask any of the crew and they’ll
tell you the thrill of riding the great ocean rollers is second to none.

Race Director, Jonathan Bailey, said, “It is clear from the forecasts
and subsequent reports that the fleet has endured some of the toughest
conditions so far. Lines that have breaking strain of many tonnes have
been exposed to huge forces and in those conditions it is inevitable
that things will break as the yachts battle against some of the most
extreme seas in the world. Kit preservation and good seamanship when
dealing with breakages is all part of the challenge and it is clear that
the teams are coping magnificently.”

Revelling in the conditions is the southern hemisphere entry, Spirit of
Australia.

“Surf’s up on the green and gold missile!” says Brisbane-based skipper,
Brendan Hall. “The last 12 hours have been some of the most exhilarating
sailing of the race so far. The large waves and 40 knot winds are now
behind us, pushing us along at terrific speeds. Helming in these
conditions is a knife edge proposition. Steer too far one way and the
headsail backs on itself, which can pop the hanks off; steer too far the
other way and a crash-gybe awaits. Concentration and assertive wheel
action is the key to keeping the boat on track. Still, the grin on the
face of the helmsman after a 20-knot surf is worth the pain and struggle
of getting here through the headwinds.”

Cape Breton Island’s eagle has soared up through the fleet to slip into
second place this morning and, says skipper, Jan Ridd, “We are sailing
very comfortably in a Force 9 gusting to Force 10 with some truly
magnificent seas, the Pacific showing its awesome power.”

However the Canadian team has negotiated some tricky conditions over a
wet and windy 24 hours. “We were sailing comfortably yesterday afternoon
with an economic sail plan when, in the early evening, the wind picked
up,” explains Jan. “We set about reducing sail area with the on watch
and once again my instincts were spot on. No sooner had we lashed the
headsails securely, a gust hit us which topped 56 knots. We went about
securing everything on deck and ensuring we were set for the night. I
must admit it was very unpleasant on deck with the true wind steady at
over 40 knots and a very confused sea as the wind backed.

“This morning, after a few hours sleep in my wet weather gear on the
floor beside the nav station, Luke (Dampier, 19, a student), one of the
watch leaders, woke me to tell me the wind had backed even more and
wanted to know if we could pole out the storm jib. After a quick
assessment we decided to change up to the bigger Yankee 3 headsail and
shake out a reef which meant a busy last hour to their watch. We held
those sails till just before lunch when again I started to feel edgy so
we hastily dropped the Number 3 and hoisted the storm jib again.”

Edinburgh Inspiring Capital has had a cracking run over the last 24
hours, lifting them from eighth to fifth place but they’ve had a sharp
reminder of the need to conserve their kit during this marathon race
across the largest ocean on the planet.

Skipper, Matt Pike, says, “This is more like a 68-foot windsurfer than a
yacht! There’s no place for a lapse in concentration. We plane at a
steady 15 knots until a big wave comes and hit 20 for a minute at a
time. A particularly vicious set came too close together and somehow we
made the top of the second crest, flying over it like a steeple chaser,
but this coincided with a 50 knot gust and we’re still clearing up four
hours later. The pole snapped like a match stick and a section of track
came off the mast. With nothing holding it, the sharp edges started
damaging the main and the cost of pushing hard suddenly became apparent.

“We now have the third reef in the main and the staysail and we’re still
topping 16 knots off the waves. The wind is a steady 35 knots with the
occasional gust of 40 and once the repairs are complete we’ll be back to
full speed.”

Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper, Pete Stirling, explains the issue
isn’t the strong winds - it’s their inconsistency. “It’s been a couple
of days of vicious weather conditions which has slowed down progress
quite considerably,” he says. “Though it is quite possible to sail fast
in heavy weather conditions the problem is the weather is very
changeable which makes it very difficult to choose the right sail plan.
Last night we ran with a third-reefed mainsail and storm jib only but
this morning were forced to drop the mainsail when the reefing pennant
snapped and the block it passes round at the base of the mast was also
damaged. Repairs are currently underway to replace the broken line and
block. We are now running with the staysail only making a steady eight
knots boat speed in the right direction. We have seen 50 knots of wind
recorded on the wind instruments and expect it to get stronger tonight
so things could get really interesting! Still we have a very
conservative sail plan so should be able to handle anything the weather
can throw at us. The crew have been kept incredibly busy over the last
couple of days with multiple sail changes in very rough conditions.”

And while the Scottish and Jamaican entries have made gains, California
and Qingdao have seen their placings slip - in Qingdao’s case, from
third to eighth.

Chris Stanmore-Major says, “We found ourselves last night suddenly
caught in the middle of a 50-knot squall with apparent winds bouncing
higher than that initially. Luckily we were already pretty snugged down
but the initial blast was so strong it snapped the staysail halyard
sending the sail to the deck and half overboard and blew out the clew of
the storm jib, changing our mild mannered little friend into a crazed
animal shackled to the forestay. I was asleep at the time, taking an
hour as we had found our line, had good speed, a wind that was freeing
up and open water ahead. In a Wallace and Gromit manoeuvre I leapt clear
of my bunk and seemingly straight into my drysuit and was on deck before
I had both eyes open. Luckily the issue was not complex to deal with but
with the boat heading directly before the wind we still had too much
wind to re-hoist the staysail and we had to run the rest of the night on
trysail alone meaning we were slow and could not hold a course. The
outcome? Third to second last in the blink of an eye. This morning we
started to piece things back together and we started to rebuild the
storm jib.”

California has lost two places but is still very much in touch with Cape
Breton Island and Hull & Humber, their distances to the finish separated
by just three miles - astonishing after 1,300 miles of hard racing. Last
night was perhaps one of the hardest so far.

Skipper Pete Rollason reports, “The crew are absolutely exhausted after
enduring 50+ knot winds last night and making great speeds when all of a
sudden the second reef line snapped under the load, swiftly followed by
five sliders detaching themselves from the mast. The joys of ocean
racing; sometimes you cry out in exhilaration and sometimes you just
want to cry!

“The main has now been down and off for 12 hours with ongoing repairs
being completed as and when conditions allow, bearing in mind we still
have over 30 knots of wind. Hopefully we will be fully up and running
before dark and pushing hard to regain our second place and then resume
the kangaroo hunt.”

POSITIONS AT 0900 UTC, WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2010

1 Spirit of Australia DTF 4291
2 Cape Breton Island DTF 4341 DTL +50
3 Hull & Humber DTF 4341 DTL +50
4 California DTF 4345 DTL +53
5 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 4391 DTL +99
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 4404 DTL +113
7 Uniquely Singapore DTF 4437 DTL +146
8 Qingdao DTF 4439 DTL +147
9 Team Finland DTF 5612 DTL +1321
10 Cork Did not start

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The current phase offshore of the Brazilian coast isn’t the easiest section on this round the world, with a mass of storm squalls making it difficult to anticipate the trajectory. Navigator Stan Honey, in collaboration with the onshore router Sylvain Mondon, is constantly having to adapt Groupama 3’s course in order to extract her from this zone and finally make it through to the tradewinds to the North of the 22° parallel… 

The forecast wind report isn’t yet tallying up with the current situation on the water… The atmospheric sounding didn’t predict the gale which ripped through the navigation zone to the SE of Rio de Janeiro at 40 knots with very choppy seas last night. The fatigue related to this round the world is beginning to weigh on them now and the crew has lost weight since leaving Ushant. Furthermore this transition around 300 miles to the North, at the mercy of the wind, may well prove to be the key to this Jules Verne Trophy…

“We didn’t expect this phase of strong winds to be so long! The bad weather with 35-37 knots of breeze was only set to last from 0400 to 1000 hours on Tuesday. In reality it lasted four extra hours and increased to 42 knots with heavy seas… We had two watch systems on deck at the same time for a while because it was impossible to sleep in any case and you couldn’t even stand upright down below. We’ve reduced the sail area to three reefs in the mainsail without a jib up forward! The platform is holding up well but the deck fittings are beginning to suffer from wear. This lunchtime, the wind has really dropped away, to as little as 10-17 knots according to the squalls, with a very changeable breeze. It’s been three hours now that we’ve had a big cumulonimbus on our tail… The sea is flat at the moment, the water temperature is 25°C, there’s a sticky heat as well as a stifling atmosphere” indicated Loïc Le Mignon at the 1130 UTC radio link-up with Groupama’s Race HQ in Paris. 

 

No way out to the right, nor the left…
Right now there are zones of high pressure to the left and to the right. Indeed the calm zones have got Groupama 3 surrounded and she is having to zigzag her way between the squalls, which are causing massive changes in both the strength and direction of the wind, with shifts of over 60° and a breeze oscillating between 10 and 20 knots… As such Franck Cammas and his men are having to constantly be on the alert for the incessant shifts, linking together a series of tack changes to optimise the course. Fortunately the giant trimaran is very at ease in these conditions and has been able to rack up twenty-eight knots of boatspeed with just twelve knots of breeze on the nose. Rather less encouraging news for the crew of Groupama 3 is that this situation will last until the latitude of Vitoria, some 300 miles to their North…

“We hope to make it into the tradewinds during the course of Thursday night. However, for the time being, our progress northward is really being hampered. When we head to the left towards the Brazilian coast, the wind heads us as it switches round to the NW and we stumble in a line of squalls. And when we head to the right, the wind veers to the NE as it eases! We’re forced to tack on a constant basis to remain in the centre… weaving our way along in line with the breeze. Fortunately, given that Groupama 3 makes such great headway in light winds, we’re managing to manoeuvre well. Orange 2 wouldn’t have made such good progress in winds like this!” 

 

An uncertain outcome
We won’t have to wait till the weekend to know the outcome of this “Brazilian ejection”: in this region, the wind is either stormy and inconsistent due to a neo-tropical low, otherwise it’s steady and on the beam along the northern edge of the Saint Helena High! Heckled by the squalls, the crew of Groupama 3 is scanning the horizon and still stands a good chance of winning on this giant trimaran’s first circumnavigation of the globe. However, there’s just a week and a half to go to `carry the day’!

“Groupama 3 is an extraordinary boat! This trimaran can be manoeuvred very easily and we can put in a tack very quickly. The speeds obtained with slightly eased sheets and in the downwind conditions of the Deep South are incredible! Furthermore, after nearly a complete loop of the world, she’s in perfect condition, though we’re really looking after her… Personally it’s a very enriching experience to sail with this French crew: we eat well, there’s a very pleasant atmosphere and the average speeds are amazing. Right now it’s not proving very easy with the squalls, but we hope to make it through into the tradewinds as quickly as we can. Franck, Sylvain and I are working very well together and the exchanges between us are proving very fruitful. I remain confident about the next stage of this Jules Verne Trophy as the whole crew is extremely motivated to get to the finish within the time limit…” indicated Stan Honey, the American navigator onboard. 

 

Groupama 3’s log (departure on 31st January at 13h 55′ 53” UTC)
Day 1 (1st February 1400 UTC): 500 miles (deficit = 94 miles)
Day 2 (2nd February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 3.5 miles)
Day 3 (3rd February 1400 UTC): 535 miles (lead = 170 miles)
Day 4 (4th February 1400 UTC): 565 miles (lead = 245 miles)
Day 5 (5th February 1400 UTC): 656 miles (lead = 562 miles)
Day 6 (6th February 1400 UTC): 456 miles (lead = 620 miles)
Day 7 (7th February 1400 UTC): 430 miles (lead = 539 miles)
Day 8 (8th February 1400 UTC): 305 miles (lead = 456 miles)
Day 9 (9th February 1400 UTC): 436 miles (lead = 393 miles)
Day 10 (10th February 1400 UTC): 355 miles (lead = 272 miles)
Day 11 (11th February 1400 UTC): 267 miles (deficit = 30 miles)
Day 12 (12th February 1400 UTC): 247 miles (deficit = 385 miles)
Day 13 (13th February 1400 UTC): 719 miles (deficit = 347 miles)
Day 14 (14th February 1400 UTC): 680 miles (deficit = 288 miles)
Day 15 (15th February 1400 UTC): 651 miles (deficit = 203 miles)
Day 16 (16th February 1400 UTC): 322 miles (deficit = 376 miles)
Day 17 (17th February 1400 UTC): 425 miles (deficit = 338 miles)
Day 18 (18th February 1400 UTC): 362 miles (deficit = 433 miles)
Day 19 (19th February 1400 UTC): 726 miles (deficit = 234 miles)
Day 20 (20th February 1400 UTC): 672 miles (deficit = 211 miles)
Day 21 (21th February 1400 UTC): 584 miles (deficit = 124 miles)
Day 22 (22nd February 1400 UTC): 607 miles (deficit = 137 miles)
Day 23 (23rd February 1400 UTC): 702 miles (lead = 60 miles)
Day 24 (24th February 1400 UTC): 638 miles (lead = 208 miles)
Day 25 (25th February 1400 UTC): 712 miles (lead = 371 miles)
Day 26 (26th February 1400 UTC): 687 miles (lead = 430 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 797 miles (lead = 560 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 517 miles)
Day 29 (1st March 1400 UTC): 434 miles (lead = 268 miles)
Day 30 (2nd March 1400 UTC): 575 miles (lead = 184 miles)
Day 31 (3rd March 1400 UTC): 617 miles (lead = 291 miles)
Day 32 (4th March 1400 UTC): 492 miles (lead = 248 miles)
Day 33 (5th March 1400 UTC): 445 miles (lead = 150 miles)
Day 34 (6th March 1400 UTC): 461 miles (lead = 58 miles)
Day 35 (7th March 1400 UTC): 382 miles (deficit = 100 miles)
Day 36 (8th March 1400 UTC): 317 miles (deficit = 326 miles)
Day 37 (9th March 1400 UTC): 506 miles (deficit = 331 miles)
Day 38 (10th March 1400 UTC): 321 miles (deficit = 384 miles)

WSSRC record from equator to equator
Orange 2 (2005): 33d 16h 06′
 

 The crew and organisation aboard Groupama 3
 Watch No.1: Franck Cammas / Loïc Le Mignon / Jacques Caraës
 Watch No.2: Stève Ravussin / Thomas Coville / Bruno Jeanjean
 Watch No.3: Fred Le Peutrec / Lionel Lemonchois / Ronan Le Goff
 Off watch navigator: Stan Honey goes up on deck for manoeuvres
 One watch system on deck, one watch on stand-by ready to help manoeuvre, one watch totally resting

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With a little over 5,000 miles left before reaching Ushant, the virtual separation between Groupama 3 and Orange 2 has been yo-yoing for the past three days. The giant trimaran has picked up her average speed since escaping the zone of high pressure, whilst five years ago the maxi-catamaran was just beginning to make laboured headway close to the Brazilian coast… 

The crew had a hundred mile lead on rounding Cape Horn, a 190 mile deficit off Uruguay as Franck Cammas and his men began their beat in the high pressure, and finally were 360 miles off the pace at 0700 UTC this Tuesday… Yet since Groupama 3 has made it back into some powerful E’ly winds, the deficit has been decreasing slowly but surely with 30 miles made up in the space of seven hours.

“It was a rough night, with heavy seas, even though the wind was less violent than forecast. We had thirty knots of E to NE’ly with some good four metre waves… We’re all anxious about the idea of breaking gear, so we’re being very careful. We’ve got two reefs in the mainsail and I think they’ve just dumped the heavy airs jib on deck! Down below we’re finding it hard to hang on. It’s more testing for the men rather than the boat, as she’s seen conditions such as these before!” indicated Fred Le Peutrec at the 1130 UTC radio link-up with Groupama’s Race HQ in Paris. 

 

Staying in the corridor of breeze…
These conditions have had an effect on the downtime for the crew, who haven’t really been able to sleep over the past few hours, to the extent that Bruno Jeanjean has gone all night without sleep… Furthermore, the heat is becoming a little suffocating down below with 28° and a tepid shower up top.
However, the weather situation is in the process of changing with the wind set to switch back round to the N before nightfall. As such a series of tacks will be on the menu again…

“We’re in a squall and it’s very stormy! We’re going to make it through to some N’ly winds again soon as we hit a Brazilian depression: the seas shouldn’t be too heavy there as the air flow has only just kicked in, but we’re going to have to keep an eye out for squalls… It’s likely we’ll be on a beat in this N’ly system so as we don’t distance ourselves too much from the direct course and escape these headwinds as quickly as possible. There isn’t too much breeze to our West and it’s very unstable. As a result we’re going to avoid getting tangled up in these erratic airs, but we will have to climb as far as 25°S to find the steadier wind.” 

 

…so as not to get stuck
Therefore the strategy will comprise remaining in a corridor of breeze about a hundred miles wide, to get as far as the latitude of Rio de Janeiro where the E’ly tradewinds will kick in again. If she were to get too close to the Brazilian coast, Groupama 3 would fall into a barometric swamp without a lot of breeze, whilst the offshore option would put Franck Cammas and his nine crew back into a rather unfavourable NE’ly air flow. The tropical stage of this trip is still a good day away then! Following on from that though, the giant trimaran will once again be able to lengthen her stride and will very likely make up part of her deficit on Orange 2, which wasn’t very quick during her climb along the Brazilian coast.

“Physically we’re really worn out: the environment is constantly drawing on our energies at the moment and I can barely talk due to the extent to which we’ve been bracing ourselves… We’re less talkative and highly concentrated on ourselves and on the noises the boat makes, which are very familiar to us now. We’ll only be able to relax once we’ve reached the SE’ly tradewinds! We’re on the same latitude as the Canaries and though the temperatures are already milder, the colours are more reminiscent of Ushant with a grey sky and rain! We’re going to wait a little longer before we have a wash but it’s beginning to smell quite ripe around here…” 

 

Groupama 3’s log (departure on 31st January at 13h 55′ 53” UTC)
Day 1 (1st February 1400 UTC): 500 miles (deficit = 94 miles)
Day 2 (2nd February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 3.5 miles)
Day 3 (3rd February 1400 UTC): 535 miles (lead = 170 miles)
Day 4 (4th February 1400 UTC): 565 miles (lead = 245 miles)
Day 5 (5th February 1400 UTC): 656 miles (lead = 562 miles)
Day 6 (6th February 1400 UTC): 456 miles (lead = 620 miles)
Day 7 (7th February 1400 UTC): 430 miles (lead = 539 miles)
Day 8 (8th February 1400 UTC): 305 miles (lead = 456 miles)
Day 9 (9th February 1400 UTC): 436 miles (lead = 393 miles)
Day 10 (10th February 1400 UTC): 355 miles (lead = 272 miles)
Day 11 (11th February 1400 UTC): 267 miles (deficit = 30 miles)
Day 12 (12th February 1400 UTC): 247 miles (deficit = 385 miles)
Day 13 (13th February 1400 UTC): 719 miles (deficit = 347 miles)
Day 14 (14th February 1400 UTC): 680 miles (deficit = 288 miles)
Day 15 (15th February 1400 UTC): 651 miles (deficit = 203 miles)
Day 16 (16th February 1400 UTC): 322 miles (deficit = 376 miles)
Day 17 (17th February 1400 UTC): 425 miles (deficit = 338 miles)
Day 18 (18th February 1400 UTC): 362 miles (deficit = 433 miles)
Day 19 (19th February 1400 UTC): 726 miles (deficit = 234 miles)
Day 20 (20th February 1400 UTC): 672 miles (deficit = 211 miles)
Day 21 (21th February 1400 UTC): 584 miles (deficit = 124 miles)
Day 22 (22nd February 1400 UTC): 607 miles (deficit = 137 miles)
Day 23 (23rd February 1400 UTC): 702 miles (lead = 60 miles)
Day 24 (24th February 1400 UTC): 638 miles (lead = 208 miles)
Day 25 (25th February 1400 UTC): 712 miles (lead = 371 miles)
Day 26 (26th February 1400 UTC): 687 miles (lead = 430 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 797 miles (lead = 560 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 517 miles)
Day 29 (1st March 1400 UTC): 434 miles (lead = 268 miles)
Day 30 (2nd March 1400 UTC): 575 miles (lead = 184 miles)
Day 31 (3rd March 1400 UTC): 617 miles (lead = 291 miles)
Day 32 (4th March 1400 UTC): 492 miles (lead = 248 miles)
Day 33 (5th March 1400 UTC): 445 miles (lead = 150 miles)
Day 34 (6th March 1400 UTC): 461 miles (lead = 58 miles)
Day 35 (7th March 1400 UTC): 382 miles (deficit = 100 miles)
Day 36 (8th March 1400 UTC): 317 miles (deficit = 326 miles)
Day 37 (9th March 1400 UTC): 506 miles (deficit = 331 miles)

WSSRC record from equator to equator
Orange 2 (2005): 33d 16h 06′

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Still in the high pressure which is stagnating off Argentina, Groupama 3 is trying to make as much headway as possible to the North. In order to do this, Franck Cammas and his men are having to tack in line with every shift to exploit these transitions: seven tack changes have been made since Sunday afternoon. 

Very attentive to the slightest wind shift since this weekend, Franck Cammas and navigator Stan Honey are remaining concentrated to exploit these rotations. Right now it’s very much like a virtual race against Orange 2 with five years separation, and the giant trimaran is rather at ease since she has been designed for these light to moderate headwinds. However, the crew of Groupama 3 is having to react very quickly all the same, which isn’t always easy at night, beneath an overcast sky and a waning moon. As such they’re zigzagging their way northward.

“In high pressure conditions such as these, there is always a discrepancy between the grib files and the actual situation on the water: at the moment, we’ve fallen into a zone of light winds, probably due to a big squall to our right… The breeze should pick up radically at sunset to pump out 30-40 knots of E’ly on our beam: as such we’re going to have to reduce the sail area and even set the heavy airs jib! We’ve got some work on our hands because the wind isn’t as steady as all that… However, we’ve recovered well from the fatigue we’d amassed in the Deep South” indicated Franck Cammas at the 1130 UTC radio link-up with Groupama’s Race HQ in Paris. 

 

Kissing the sea
With the central hull just kissing the surface of the water, the helmsmen are taking it in turns to keep the giant trimaran making headway on a single leeward float and at around 0900 UTC, Groupama 3 had put in her final tack change of the day. Indeed the wind had clocked round to the N and was gradually shifting round to the NE early this afternoon: the average speed was increasing to in excess of twenty knots again and the separation between her and Orange 2 was beginning to stabilise at 325 miles…

“The boat is really light and highly responsive, which makes it easy to tack since we don’t need to do any stacking (shifting of moveable ballast). Furthermore, Groupama 3 is less heavy than when she left Ushant and you can really feel the difference because we’ve consumed a good hundred kilos or so of diesel and food… It’s the first time we’ve been on a beat since 31st January. We’re back on a route taking us almost due North until Tuesday morning, at which point we’ll have to put in some more tacks to reach the tradewinds, which are still some 700 miles ahead of our bows. The temperatures are already milder, with overcast skies, but we’re still sporting our foulies on deck!”

Franck Cammas estimated that he couldn’t have a deficit of more than a day on crossing the equator! As such the pressure’s really on over this phase of the course. Indeed Orange 2 only began to slow as she approached the latitude of Rio de Janeiro, but then her climb up to Recife proved to be fairly laboured. In fact it’s becoming an increasingly established fact that bagging the Jules Verne Trophy record is still uncertain and everything will depend on their progress off Brazil… 

 

Multiple manoeuvres
As a result the aim of Franck Cammas and his men is to progress northward as quickly as possible, but there’s not really any alternative in terms of the general strategy: Groupama 3 will have to close on the coast of South America, without getting too close to the shores of Brazil, where some stormy lows generating variable winds are in the process of forming… Therefore the next phase will involve a great deal of activity in the cockpit of the giant trimaran as the crew will have to link together multiple manoeuvres.

“Groupama 3 is exiting the anticyclone in winds of around twenty knots, which are increasing in strength as they begin to veer: this will enable her to bend her course round from this afternoon, whilst simultaneously picking up the pace. However, from Tuesday evening and through until Thursday, the crew will have to negotiate a stormy zone along the shores of Brazil…” explained Sylvain Mondon from Météo France. 

 

Groupama 3’s log (departure on 31st January at 13h 55′ 53” UTC)
Day 1 (1st February 1400 UTC): 500 miles (deficit = 94 miles)
Day 2 (2nd February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 3.5 miles)
Day 3 (3rd February 1400 UTC): 535 miles (lead = 170 miles)
Day 4 (4th February 1400 UTC): 565 miles (lead = 245 miles)
Day 5 (5th February 1400 UTC): 656 miles (lead = 562 miles)
Day 6 (6th February 1400 UTC): 456 miles (lead = 620 miles)
Day 7 (7th February 1400 UTC): 430 miles (lead = 539 miles)
Day 8 (8th February 1400 UTC): 305 miles (lead = 456 miles)
Day 9 (9th February 1400 UTC): 436 miles (lead = 393 miles)
Day 10 (10th February 1400 UTC): 355 miles (lead = 272 miles)
Day 11 (11th February 1400 UTC): 267 miles (deficit = 30 miles)
Day 12 (12th February 1400 UTC): 247 miles (deficit = 385 miles)
Day 13 (13th February 1400 UTC): 719 miles (deficit = 347 miles)
Day 14 (14th February 1400 UTC): 680 miles (deficit = 288 miles)
Day 15 (15th February 1400 UTC): 651 miles (deficit = 203 miles)
Day 16 (16th February 1400 UTC): 322 miles (deficit = 376 miles)
Day 17 (17th February 1400 UTC): 425 miles (deficit = 338 miles)
Day 18 (18th February 1400 UTC): 362 miles (deficit = 433 miles)
Day 19 (19th February 1400 UTC): 726 miles (deficit = 234 miles)
Day 20 (20th February 1400 UTC): 672 miles (deficit = 211 miles)
Day 21 (21th February 1400 UTC): 584 miles (deficit = 124 miles)
Day 22 (22nd February 1400 UTC): 607 miles (deficit = 137 miles)
Day 23 (23rd February 1400 UTC): 702 miles (lead = 60 miles)
Day 24 (24th February 1400 UTC): 638 miles (lead = 208 miles)
Day 25 (25th February 1400 UTC): 712 miles (lead = 371 miles)
Day 26 (26th February 1400 UTC): 687 miles (lead = 430 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 797 miles (lead = 560 miles)
Day 27 (27th February 1400 UTC): 560 miles (lead = 517 miles)
Day 29 (1st March 1400 UTC): 434 miles (lead = 268 miles)
Day 30 (2nd March 1400 UTC): 575 miles (lead = 184 miles)
Day 31 (3rd March 1400 UTC): 617 miles (lead = 291 miles)
Day 32 (4th March 1400 UTC): 492 miles (lead = 248 miles)
Day 33 (5th March 1400 UTC): 445 miles (lead = 150 miles)
Day 34 (6th March 1400 UTC): 461 miles (lead = 58 miles)
Day 35 (7th March 1400 UTC): 382 miles (deficit = 100 miles)
Day 36 (8th March 1400 UTC): 317 miles (deficit = 326 miles)

WSSRC record from equator to equator
Orange 2 (2005): 33d 16h 06′

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* Low pressure system delivers strong headwinds across the fleet
* California makes repairs to mainsail in tricky conditions
* Edinburgh Inspiring Capital chases the pack in some very wet
   conditions

With the first 1,000 miles of the race to California almost completed,
the forecasted low pressure system has finally arrived and the skippers
who were cursing the lack of wind yesterday now find themselves with
more than they bargained for. Strong headwinds have been hard going on
the teams and they will all be looking forward to the wind shifting
round and a return to the fast downwind sailing the Clipper 68s relish.

What a difference 24 hours makes,” says Jim Dobie, skipper of Uniquely
Singapore. “Yesterday we were in little wind and then bang! In rushed 30
to 40 knots and it has been with us ever since. The frustrating thing
has been the angle we have been forced to sail at and have lost quite a
bit of ground to the south. But as the low moves through, the wind will
veer round and we can head due north again before the wind settles in
behind us and we can get back to the fast downwind weather we love.

“The crew are a little worse for wear with tiredness etched on their
faces and all their clothes wet and damp. But as I always say, nothing
stays the same in the ocean and once we’re back in the high, clothes
will dry, skies will brighten and the smiles will return.”

Hull & Humber’s skipper, Piers Dudin, says, “The seas are getting a
little confused and the occasional slam jolts memories of our trip past
Taiwan. We’ve nearly reached the top of the hill in terms of our upwind
beat and are looking forward to giving Hull & Humber an easier ride
downwind.”

“Even moving round below decks requires constant effort in the confused
seas and as the wind shifts it’s likely to become even more so.”

Life on deck is just as difficult as that down below and none more so
than for the crew on board California.

“We needed to take the mainsail down and completely remove it from the
mast track in order to repair the top five sliders that had become
detached, ” explains skipper Pete Rollason. “This is no easy feat in the
shelter of a marina, let alone on a rough ocean in the conditions we’re
currently experiencing. The crew worked tirelessly to complete the
repairs and with everyone exhausted and soaking wet we hoisted the
mainsail.”

The strong headwinds are certainly taking their toll but the wind
strength continues to vary making sail choice particularly tricky as Jan
Ridd, skipper of Cape Breton Island explains.

“Most of the crew are coming to terms with having to sail close hauled
for the next few days as we fight our way out into the Pacific. The wind
is building and dropping and the highest gust our instruments have shown
was 48 knots, which dropped just minutes later to 19 knots.

“With the wind varying so much, the boat was set up last night for the
worst, with the storm jib accompanied by our normal staysail and the
third reef in the main. If the wind built the staysail could be dropped
allowing us to go into complete safe mode. Today the problem we have is
the boat is a little underpowered and just as we think we should put
more sail up the wind builds, the boat heels right over again and the
decision is made for us.”

Qingdao’s skipper, Chris Stanmore-Major, believes the worst is yet to
come and if he is right the already tired crews will need to dig deep to
find that extra bit of strength and determination.

“A great night’s sailing on board Qingdao with us returning to the
conditions we favoured so much during our time in the South China Sea,”
says Chris. “Last night however was only a precursor to the real show
which will probably start within the next 30 hours.

“With 40 knot winds predicted we will be experiencing up to 50 on the
nose if we are unfortunate enough to be at that angle to the wind. My
hope is that we can take some of that brutish wind strength on the beam
to catapult the dragon forward to the super sonic speeds we love.”

For the team on Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, the change in conditions
came all too quickly but according to skipper Matt Pike his crew are
revelling in the challenge as they push to Scottish boat hard to make
gains on the rest of the fleet.

Matt says, “Misty drizzle and a rolling swell was the weather as we
chased the small patches of breeze to reach the fleet - all the time
knowing soon the wind would fill in. It came in one solid wave and
caught us midway between sail changes.

“The chase begins now through the wet. We have salty spray, the slightly
fresher rain and the most easily identified, the solid wall of water
that comes crashing back swamping the whole boat. Below is no better as
everything is wet, no longer just damp but wringing wet. The crew have
stopped mentioning wet bunks but just crash out as they are for a much
needed rest before going ‘over the top’ through the companionway and
back into the fight. Still smiling the hardened crew take our tough
little boat forwards and push to gain those precious miles on the
competition.”

Meanwhile, back in Qingdao, Team Finland’s crew will be keeping a close
eye on the fleet’s progress as they await the arrival of their
replacement mast. The 90-foot spar has left Luxemburg and whilst the
Clipper Race team is doing everything to ensure a timely delivery in
Qingdao the journey is at the mercy of shipping agents, airlines and
customs. Team Finland is just ten points behind overall race leaders,
Spirit of Australia, having been awarded one point by the Race Committee
for Race 6 from Singapore to Qingdao. They will therefore be hoping for
a fast run across the Pacific if they are to close the gap and regain
the top spot once more.

Positions at 0900 UTC, Monday 8 March

Boat DTF* DTL*
1 Spirit of Australia 4662nm
2 California 4712nm 50nm
3 Qingdao 4726nm 63nm
4 Cape Breton Island 4747nm 84nm
5 Hull & Humber 4748nm 85nm
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt 4751nm 89nm
7 Uniquely Singapore 4766nm 104nm
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital 4779nm 116nm
9 Team Finland 5612nm 180nm
10 Cork Did not start

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* Spirit of Australia pulls out a lead as the other yachts park up in
   variable winds
* Uniquely Singapore back to full strength after illness
* Non-stop evolutions for crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt

The forecast headwinds have not yet materialised for the Clipper 09-10
fleet. Instead most of the teams on board the 68-foot ocean racing
yachts are contending with spells of variable and light winds which are
playing havoc with their speeds and ability to sail the course they
want. They have also spent lengthy stretches parked up, desperately
trying to find any breath of wind to keep them moving.

However Spirit of Australia, on a more northerly course than the others,
has been dealt a different hand, enabling them to pull out a lead over
the rest of the fleet. Skipper Brendan Hall says, “Japan faded into the
sunset last night, the last land we will see for another three weeks.
Thus far, the Pacific Ocean has not lived up to its name, delivering us
another night of near gale force winds and sheeting rain. More heavy
headsail changes were needed to keep Spirit of Australia on the pace.”

As Brendan says, their next glimpse of land will not come for more than
three weeks in this, the longest of the individual races that make up
the Clipper Race.

“Looking at the chart, the enormity of the ocean before us is daunting,”
he says, “But we have set ourselves lots of smaller milestones to aim
for and celebrate as we pass.”

Just 39 miles behind, the last 24 hours for California’s crew have been
frustrating as they find themselves with totally different conditions.

“This morning and overnight we have been beset by light winds, however,
with some favourable current we had been making good progress northeast
in the hunt for kangaroos. Then very suddenly the wind filled in to a
steady 20 knots from the north east which meant that we can no longer
take the course we want. It is so frustrating when you can get good boat
speed and not the desired course and we can only console ourselves with
the fact that all the other boats should be experiencing the same
dilemma. The forecast is for the wind to continue to build up to 30-35
knots from the north east and is due to last about 36 to 48 hours so we
will try to make the best course we can towards the Scoring Gate and San
Francisco.

“I hear that a number of crews have been suffering various illnesses and
California is no exception. We have a nasty cold doing the rounds that
is sapping the energy of those it gets hold of so we are working with
reduced numbers on deck while some people get some down time to fully
recover.”

Uniquely Singapore’s crew are back up to full strength after recovering
from the illness that has swept through their crew and there is a note
of optimism in skipper Jim Dobie’s report to the Race Office today.

He says, “After being at the back of the fleet since the start things
are starting to look up. As I write this I have now picked up Hull &
Humber, Jamaica Lightning Bolt and, of course, our companions, Edinburgh
Inspiring Capital. We’ve now got our act back together and the crew,
including me, are no longer queuing for the heads and reaching for
buckets - the bug has gone through, we have a full head count and can
now get to the business of racing.”

But, just when things are looking up, Mother Nature throws in a curve
ball and the wind doesn’t quite do what you’re expecting.

Jim explains, “Looking at the GRIB (weather file) we made a decision to
stay south of the incoming low which will take us away from the
favourable current but should allow us following winds sooner and not
such huge waves. However things are not going to plan… According to
our weather files we should be in some brisk headwinds but find
ourselves floundering around in little to no wind, trying to make some
headway. As we know, the ocean can change quickly so the next 24 hours
should see some dramatic changes in conditions and we’re look for any
signs of the movements of the low.”

Observing your environment to predict exactly when that pressure is
going to fill in and get your yacht moving again is a fine art and Cape
Breton Island’s skipper, Jan Ridd, seems to have the key.

“We are still in this unstable airflow with long periods of little or no
wind with short periods of a stiff breeze filling in,” he reports.
“Earlier this morning we were within sight of Hull & Humber and Qingdao
as we all ran into an area of light wind. When the crew asked me what
they could do, I said the best option would be to wait it out and see
where the wind fills in from. They were getting frustrated as they saw
both the other teams hoist their windseekers, trying to get the boats
moving. I still insisted we wait it out and, sure enough, within half an
hour we saw the wind build to a Force 6 and, as we sailed on course at
ten knots, we saw Qingdao hastily sailing away from the wind in the
wrong direction to reduce the apparent wind strength so they could drop
the windseeker without damage.”

Cape Breton Island is opting for a conservative sail plan for the coming
days to cope with the variable conditions, says Jan.

“All the boats are aware of an area of stronger winds to the north of
our position and every time the wind builds we are preparing ourselves
mentally for the expected 20+ knot head winds the forecast predicts. So
far all we have seen is brief spells which die as quickly as they start.
I am sure the wind will fill in eventually and we will start making some
good mileage towards San Francisco,” he adds.

Qingdao is just a mile ahead of the Canadian entry and experiencing the
same frustrations but the crew is coping well, according to their
skipper, Chris Stanmore-Major.

“With a weather file that shows I should be hammering east at 12 knots
hard on the wind with probably three reefs in, staysail and Yankee 3
flying and water rushing along the side decks, instead we are sitting in
a muggy patch of drizzle with sails slatting in a cheeky, choppy sea.
Rain runs down the crew’s faces as they stare upwards at the sails
trying to perceive some pattern or trend they can trim to but there is
nothing and, despite all the noise and motion, we remain resolutely
parked watching on the AIS every other boat picking its parking space
and rate of drift. The crew are unstinting in their efforts and humour,
making light of a frustrating situation.”

Qingdao has picked up a hitch hiker as well, reveals Chris. “In the
middle of this cold, wet, forlorn landscape a small, ragged scrap of
life has sought us out as a refuge and I write this eye to eye with a
house martin that has taken up residence in the nav station.”

Hull & Humber’s skipper, Piers Dudin, suggests the current situation in
which most of the teams find themselves adds to the excitement of the
race.

He says, “It’s good to have the whole fleet compressed again. It’s sure
to make for an epic few weeks. Breaking the back of ‘5,000 miles to go!’
is something you don’t get to do very often, rarely are such long
passages undertaken in one go. But after of months of training we like
to think we’re well set up for ‘The Big One’.

“The crew who joined us in Qingdao, Andrea, Tony, Nick and the ONE HULL
Ambassadors, Sonny and Nathan, have adjusted to life in ‘Umberland
admirably and are already solid handy crew members.

“The rain still fails to dampen spirits as we’re getting used to the
on-off weather patterns. We doubt it’ll last long and we’re set up for a
solid two days of up-hill deep-reef wave bashing, before the proper
downhill sled run begins.”

The hugely ambitious crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt has been working
flat out to keep their yacht moving.

Pete Stirling says, “So much for the deep blue Pacific Ocean and
favourable winds. Apart from the lack of fishing boats and merchant
shipping this is really no more of a pleasure than the Yellow Sea was.
It is quite a bit warmer but with constant wind shifts a sloppy sea and
heavy rain. The standing joke amongst this morning’s 8am to 2pm six-hour
watch is that they only did one evolution. The thing is they did lots
but they never stopped between each of them. I did let them stop once
for 15 minutes for a tea break so I guess that means they did two
evolutions. This afternoon’s watch are waiting to get on deck with eager
anticipation!”

“After playing out our hand we have ended up with the rest of the fleet
in a tight circle waiting for the north easterly gale that has been
forecast,” says Matt Pike. He says the wet, tiring and frustrating
conditions are preventing Edinburgh Inspiring Capital from getting into
her stride.

“We had a great sail out through the straits from south Japan and were
looking to continue east then suddenly, and in about 20 boat lengths,
the wind was gone! Rain followed squall followed rain and pursuing the
best course to windward has us back in the pack. So now we wait and,
when the wind fills in, we shall be off on a new start and onwards to
California.”

POSITIONS AT 1500 UTC, SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2010

1 Spirit of Australia DTF 4736
2 California DTF 4775 DTL +39
3 Qingdao DTF 4802 DTL +66
4 Cape Breton Island DTF 4803 DTL +67
5 Hull & Humber DTF 4809 DTL +73
6 Jamaica Lightning Bolt DTF 4812 DTL +77
7 Uniquely Singapore DTF 4821 DTL +85
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital DTF 4828 DTL +92
9 Team Finland DTF 5612 DTL +876
10 Cork Did not start

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