Sal's Ocean Globe Race Analysis: Things have changed dramatically
Things have changed dramatically for some the boats in the Ocean Globe Race. Pen Duick VI is continuing with the storming break away they made as first boat to escape the clutches of the Azores High pressure, they are now passing the Azores Islands and should be back to the finish at Cowes within the week. L’Esprit d’ Equipe are also in good breeze and trucking on at pace.
For Translated 9 things have not gone well. They sailed into the Low Pressure system chasing hard for the lead, only to discover that the repairs that the carried out in the Falkland Islands have failed causing water ingress and forcing them to abandon the race and head for Madeira to be lifted out. Last report was that the situation was under control but plans had been put in place to abandon ship should the worst happen.
After some frustrating days of no wind, stuck in the fickle High pressure, Maiden finally got some decent breeze yesterday giving them a chance to gain some miles. As they approach the Azores, the pressure system that has caused so much light airs is still moving about and is likely to come in again from the West. Hopefully they can skirt round the East of it and get back into a breeze to bring them home. Further back in the fleet, Triana, the Swan 53 which has led IRC handicap has had a relatively slow leg for them. They have sailed consistently well through the whole race but have been a victim of the many pot holes that have been in the way. They are a good example of how a smaller boat can be competitively sailed against larger more powerful boats and are still set to do well overall.
For the shore teams of the yachts, all thoughts are now turning to ETAs. To try and estimate the day that a boat will finish from 2000miles out is near impossible, let alone the time of day. Never the less, plans have to be made for friends and families, some traveling thousands of miles to welcome loved ones home. Windows must be allowed which will be honed in as the boats get closer and plans made for night time or day light arrivals. Add on top of this that the boats are arriving on the Isle of Wight, so ferries or Ribs will be needed. All in all, a logistics nightmare!It will all become clearer this week as the miles are being covered, there may well be some heavy weather as they approach Biscay. After nearly 30000 miles the boats are getting tired, rigging has been through a lot and is reaching the end of its safe working life, It isn’t the time to risk any mistakes!
Sally (Sal) Hunter was part of the original Maiden crew to sail around the world in the 89/90 Whitbread Race. Sal has joined the Maiden Shore Team for the duration of the Ocean Globe Race, tracking Maiden and keeping us updated with sailing analysis updates! Photo ©Ocean Globe Race/The Maiden Factor/Najiba Noori
