Sea, Sail & Surf newsJules Verne Record
Kingfisher2 becalmed before Equator when Geronimo sets record to Cape Leuwin
jeudi 6 février 2003 –
Weather router Meeno Schrader explains the weather dilemma facing KINGFISHER2 once they cross the Equator :
"The Trade Winds are expected to fill in from the SE between 15-17 knots and hold steady down to about 20 degrees south giving the guys a good, fast run. But it is at around 20 degrees south that they will have to deal with the St Helena high pressure zone and it is not going to be easy to pass through. The high will be separated into two different ’bubbles’ - one is positioned over the SE Atlantic and the second over the west part of the South Atlantic (a good 800 nm SE of Rio de Janeiro). The second bubble prevents KINGFISHER2 from cutting the corner by taking a more direct course south of South Africa and also is at threat from a developing frontal system from the SW which will weaken the winds and further complicate the situation for KINGFISHER2 if she is in this area at 25 degrees south on Sunday night.
"But we also see a new high pressure approaching from South America to strengthen behind the front moving along 35 degrees south into the east. Everything is on this high to push the front away and move fast into the east then this could offer the guys the chance to make a proper ’run through’ into the Roaring 40’s without having gone too far west and the long way round."
Information Kingfisher Challenges
EQUATOR RECORD
Record
#sailingrecord
:
Geronimi set a new Ushant-Equator record
Record
#sailingrecord
of 6 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes, 21 seconds.
For KINGFISHER2 to beat the Ushant to Equator time set by Orange of 7 days, 22 hours, KINGFISHER2 must cross the Equator 1 second before 04:48:00 GMT on Friday 7.2.03.
JULES VERNE RECORD :
KINGFISHER2 started Jules Verne record attempt at 06:48:39 GMT on 30.1.03. To beat the existing ’Orange’ record of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes 24 seconds, KINGFISHER2 must finish 1 second before 15:25:13 GMT on 4th April or less if GERONIMO lowers the record.
http://www.grandsrecords.com
SUMMARY : 1500 GMT 6.2.03
Position : 0 43’ N 25 28’ W (43 nm from Equator)
Av/Max boat speed in last hour : 2.66 / 6.98 knots
Av/Max wind speed in last hour : 3.07 / 7.00 knots
Wind direction : 243
Distance to Equator : 43 nm (theorectical shortest distance)
ELLEN LATEST LOG at 1915GMT 5.2.03 : Latest news from Kingfisher 2... well tonight we are approacing the Equator, and the temperature inside as well as my temperatuer seems to be rising. I feel very stressed today - tense and worried. I know that just a few hundred miles before us is a zone which could really slow us, could - like so many of the traps before us take valuable time from us... The South Atlantic is not looking as favourable as it could for us which is frustrating and worrying, but at the end of the day we just have to keep on trucking and hope that it is not as damaging to our speed as I fear.
As I sit here typing I am hot and sweaty - after another day before the satellite images and weather information. It’s been a busy day - and almost impossible to think that I have been on deck for less than an hour. I had a brief chat with Kevin over lunch - as we sat in the cuddy to leeward, and shortly after briefed the guys on the weather situation ahead of us - but that’s been it for today - no staring at the ocean, nor helming this magnificent machine. Now the day is drrawing to an end and I know that I’ll be one tired Ellen tonight... I wish I’d been able to recover further today but strangely, like solo sailing, some days are much harder than others. Today has been a hard one. From computer problems, to lack of sleep - and all in an environment where the air teperature is stifling - and the plastic seat beneath me making me stick to my shorts.
The guys are all of great humour and it’s great to spend time with them whenever I can. Hervé was jokingly told off today for being scruffy - after he spilled some chocolote down his t-shirt. His retaliation was to draw a large tie on his t-shirt in red pen, which he very proudly sported during his watch ! Nice one Hervé ! Both steering systems have now been refurbished, and appear to be working well which is great news and a big thanks on that one must go to Hendo, Youngster, Ronny and Jason who have worked hard on finding a feasible and constructible solution.... There is a growing conversation onboard about the crossing of the Equator ceremony for poor Andrew and Kevin who have not yet crossed. I am not sure what is in store for them yet but I am convined that we shall not let them cross without some kind of event to mark the occasion. Hervé was not so keen on being the master of ceremony, but it’s old hat for him - we calculated he had already crossed at least 25 times... So, there you go, news from the mighty KINGFISHER2 - who as I type is at 288nm from the equator.
Dans la même rubrique
Jules Verne Record : MacArthur’s cat under 350 miles to go to the Equator
Jules Verne Record : Kingfiser 2 still 11 hours behing Géronimo
Jules Verne Record : Ellen MacArthur : "Now we are further south it is warmer"
Jules Verne Record : KINGFISHER2 will pass the sunken oil tanker Prestige later this morning
