The full report can be found here
Fleet News
Mirabaud has problems with the autopilot
Golding clothes pong Sanso craves ice cream
Fleet News
In this morning’s report we indicated that Dominique Wavre (Mirabaud) appeared to be sailing an unorthodox route. This afternoon, we received this update from his team. "I was on the phone with Michèle (the wife of Dominique Wavre (Mirabaud), there was a 40-knot wind and suddenly, the autopilot alarm went off! It was brutal, the yacht tacked suddenly and it tilted at 90 degrees. It was chaos, my biggest since the beginning of the race. It was really scary, then the yacht went backwards, and the sea was rough. It wasn't far from where Michèle and I dismasted two years ago. The good news is, the situation is now under control. I turned the faulty autopilot off and turned the other on. I'm now sailing at a normal speed again. Even better; I'm now going to manoeuvre and I think I'll sail even faster!
My tactical choice is a long-term investment so, hopefully, I can sail with a better angle when the wind switches east. But we'll have to wait for two days to find out if it was a good move or not. It looks like the boats ahead of me will slow down a bit so we may regroup eventually.”
The autopilot issue seems to have cost him two positions as Javier Sanso (Acciona 100% EcoPowered) and Arnaud Bossières (Akena Verandas) have both overtaken him. Talking on web tv show Vendée Globe LIVE today Javier Sanso (Acciona 100% EcoPowered) explained that he had experienced a his cold night at sea last night but he was pleased that he was able to overtake Dominique Wavre (Mirabaud) and hoped he was able to retain the advantage. “I’m glad I’m 7th, now let’s hope it lasts… It’s looking good right now, I’m happy with my tactical choices. Last night, the outside temperature was 8 degrees, pretty cold, but it’ll get better soon. I mostly eat muesli in the morning, then a snack for lunch, ham or chocolate, and the rest is freeze dried food. I’m dying for for fried eggs, French fries and two kilos of ice cream!”
A good, disciplined set of naps last night have made a lot of difference for Mike Golding who confirmed to his shorecrew that he had been running very low on energy since his Cape Horn rounding. "I’ve caught up now. Now I am just plain knackered!" Golding joked on his morning call to his team in Southampton, England. He is 128 miles to leeward off fifth placed Jean Le Cam (SynerCiel)
"I did think I was on to a winner last night when I put the bow down and accelerated a bit, but then I see Jean has done the same this morning. It is the only thing to do really. Looking ahead the routing wants to take us into the coast, but the way I see it that just paints you into a corner. I’d rather just play the bigger picture and work the rotation of the high and push NE. It is good to be getting into milder weather. I don’t have to wear the mid layer in the boat. But I’m starting to whiff a bit. Let’s put it this way, when you get into the sleeping bag you do it pretty quickly." Further exploration of the topic onboard cleanliness was explored in Vendée Globe LIVE today when Golding explained whilst a skipper can wash there is no washing machine onboard and with only a limited amount of clothing, after 63 days at sea, the materials begin to take on an odour of their own.
Last night, Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) was slowed down by an area of high pressure. At the last report 15 miles separate the third and fourth placed boats. On Vendée Globe LIVE today Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac Paprec 3) back in third place, sailing near South America, was enjoying the sailing in the warmer climates. But like all the skippers at this stage of the race remain cautious about the fragility of the boats. After 63 days at sea it is difficult to be certain to know when and where parts will begin to pop. Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac Paprec 3) "Alex has spent a lot of time in the center of the depression last night. It has slowed him. This allowed me to take back some miles. He is back in the wind again but I think I can take it back a few more miles. I do not know exactly how much we will see. The wind should continue to rise a bit during the day.”
At the front of the fleet François Gabart (MACIF) takes advantage of the gradual shifting winds and continues to increase his lead ahead of Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire).
The St. Helena High, the mistress of the game is firmly established on the South Atlantic. Minor adjustments will help to make a difference and these small shifts can have major consequences, as shown by the current duel between François Gabart (MACIF) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire). The skippers know that there will be no new strategic opportunities before the doldrums. For now patience is the name of the game.
Meanwhile, Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) sails, at high-speed north of the Falklands. For the Swiss sailor, he is making the most of his boat for the sole pleasure of sailing alone. The confirmation by the jury of his disqualification does not alter the situation since refueling diesel after Cape Horn. For Bernard, the goal is to achieve the best possible journey to Les Sables d'Olonne. But between the desire to preserve his boat, the desire to take full advantage of the boat’s potential and the lack of competition, Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) will be managing a cocktail of strange emotion.
In the Pacific, Bertrand De Broc (Votre Nom Autour du Monde avec EDM), Tanguy de Lamotte (Initiatives Cœur) and Alessandro Di Benedetto (Team Plastique) are on their way Cape Horn. Faced with western winds, they must connect the gybes to keep them on track for the headland. In a few days they will have the mythical rock in their sights.
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