Taken from News Report on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 08:03 PM
Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth was the scene of a spectacular party last night – the crew party for the 200+ men and women who were celebrating the completion of their around the world adventure, The Global Challenge 2004/5.
There were mixed emotions for the crew with many feeling slightly lost now the whole adventure is over whilst others were over the moon and delighted to be back on dry land raring to get on with the next challenge, the race having inspired them on.
Prior to the Tiger Tiger soiree, the official prize-giving ceremony took place outside on a stunning, blazing hot summer’s day. Under the colossal and impressive Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays hundreds of crew, friends, families and well-wishers packed around the stage. The atmosphere was electric as Tracey Clarke and Alistair Hackett took to the stage to welcome the crews, sponsors, press and onlookers to the last prize giving of the Global Challenge 2004/05.
First off were the prizes for Leg 7 – La Rochelle to Portsmouth.
The BP Safety Award was awarded to Matt Riddell, skipper of Samsung who collected the first prize of the evening. The BG 24-hour Record Award was VAIO, who did 203.4 miles in 24 hours; skipper Amedeo Sorrentino collecting the trophy.
Next was the Pindar ‘First to Cross the Leg 7 Start Line’ prize which went to VAIO who win a day’s sail on the Pindar Open 60 for 3 crew.
The Unisys/EMC Media Prize for Best Daily Log was awarded to John Bass, BP Explorer for a very emotive log describing how the crew felt when they missed a mark and had to turn back, effectively ending any real chance they had to take anything higher than 3rd place in the race overall.
The Unisys/EMC Rubber Chicken Award for the most comical/unusual incident was awarded to John Quigley and Challenge Yacht 36 – the prototype 72ft Challenge yacht that made the trip from La Rochelle to Portsmouth with guests of Challenge Business on board. They were jokingly accused of crossing the start line early, missing all the marks of the course, disobeying the sailing instructions and deliberately receiving outside assistance!
Next was the Best Photograph Award sponsored by VAIO which was awarded to a photograph made possible by the change to the course by the Race Committee to include a rounding of the Eddystone Lighthouse, an image of BG SPIRIT taken by SAIC La Jolla.
Next was the First Past Ushant Award sponsored by Carte Blanche, which was awarded to SAIC La Jolla.
Alistair Hackett then presented framed onEdition photographs to the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Robin Sparshatt, Druscilla Moody of Portsmouth City Council and Mike Davidson of Gunwharf Quays.
Next up were the awards for the first three teams to arrive in Portsmouth after yet another incredibly competitive leg, which ended in a tense run to the line in light winds.
The Third place for Leg Seven prize was presented to VAIO and second place went to Barclays Adventurer.
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Robin Sparshatt then announced the leg winner, BG SPIRIT. Skipper Andy Forbes took the stage to receive the leg trophy for their dream homecoming into Portsmouth and said a few words thanking his team.
When the Leg 7 prizes had been awarded, the ceremony moved into the second stage – the overall prizes for the Global Challenge 2004/05.
The BP Overall Safety Award was awarded to the most consistent performer in the safety arena. Dee Caffari came to collect the prize on behalf of Imagine It. Done. who had received three of the seven leg BP Safety Awards.
The BG Overall 24-hour Record Award was awarded to Team Stelmar, who had the furthest 24 hour run of the entire race - 275.89 nmiles.
Best Overall Photograph Award sponsored by VAIO was presented to Giles Mackay of BP Explorer for a photo taken off Boston of a yacht becalmed, watching a competitor get away: a poignant reminder that light airs can, in some ways, be even more difficult to handle than the heaviest seas.
Next was the Sark Award for the Continual Development of a Global Challenge 2004/5 Crew Member. The prize (Donated by the Sark Tourism Committee) is a one-week holiday for two adults or a family of four on the Isle of Sark in 2006, including flights from the UK and ferry from Guernsey, staying at the luxury hotel Aval du Creux.
The prize for Best Onboard Sail Repairs was announced for the first time in Global Challenge history. Clive Cosby and his sail repair team went up to the stage to receive the custom prize of a section of sails and a custom trophy made from rope and shackles.
Nick MacAndrew, Chairman of Save the Children, presented the Third Place Overall prize for the Global Challenge. The overall third prize was given to BP Explorer who went up to the stage to the sound of their team song.
The Prize for Second Place Overall for Global Challenge was awarded to Barclays Adventurer. Skipper, Stuart Jackson and crew went up the stage to receive their trophy.
Next on the agenda was the presentation of a cheque for £300,000 to official race charity, Save the Children, presented by Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM, Executive Chairman, Challenge Business to Nick MacAndrew, Chairman of Save the Children.
Sir Chay Blyth then presented Andy Forbes, winning skipper, with two return Upper Class tickets to the USA, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. The crew were then invited to the stage, again in time to the crowds clapping along to the team song. Andy Forbes was presented with the Princess Royal Trophy, a confetti cannon fired and the loudest cheer of the evening went up as Andy lifted the trophy.
Andy Forbes thanked everyone involved in the race, especially the other crews. He said the race wasn't just about one team, it’s about all twelve, although he thanked his team especially for their journey over the last 10 months. “It’s your life, live it” were his final words.
Three cheers for the winning team marked the end of the ceremony and the teams gathered for a compilation video of the whole race on the big screen!
Overall results of the Global Challenge 2004/05
1 BG SPIRIT, 90 points
2 Barclays Adventurer, 76 points
3 BP Explorer, 74 points
4 Spirit of Sark, 73 points
5 Team SAIC La Jolla, 71 points
6 Team Stelmar, 66 points
7= Me To You, 63 points
7= VAIO, 63 points
9 Samsung, 58 points
10 Imagine It. Done., 56 points
11 Pindar, 54 points
12 Team Save the Children, 41 points
Showing posts with label News Report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News Report. Show all posts
Monday, July 18, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Old rivals at logger heads again!
Taken from News Report on 22 June 2005
They promised competition and a no holds bar fight to the end and that is exactly what the crews in the Global Challenge are doing with old rivals Spirit of Sark just three miles ahead of BP Explorer and VAIO in the 6th and penultimate leg.
BG SPIRIT – current overall race leaders – Barclays Adventurer, Imagine It. Done and Samsung, all just have 4 miles to the leader; yachts within sight of one another and competition, as always, painfully high. Team Stelmar is in 8th just three miles behind again; Pindar another 2 miles behind Team Stelmar with Team Save the Children and SAIC La Jolla – the most southerly yacht - 23 miles behind the leader.
Eero Lehtinen, skipper of SAIC La Jolla offered a reason for his team’s slow start: “Our plan to get into good breeze from the low coming up from the south has gone wrong as this system has weakened significantly and now the best breeze should be building from the north although looking at the other boats this does not appear the case! We have to limit the damage for now and find a way to use our southerly position to our best advantage.”
The yachts are currently experiencing strong downwind breezes which should continue for at least the next 24 hours, so the crews should be set for more high boat speeds and an exhilarating ride across to Waypoint Charlie.
With the overall points currently as they are with BG SPIRIT just three points ahead of BP Explorer and Spirit of Sark the Global Challenge 2004/05 could actually be won on technicality rather than speed. “The jury, which penalized BP Explorer - following a protest lodged by Imagine It. Done. - did say it was a technical breach of the rules. Certainly a first for the Global Challenge if they do lose the race overall because of this and certainly a major talking point,” cited Cal Tomlinson, Challenge Business’ sailing manager.
In Boston there was much said about Leg 6 being a 3 way battle between BG SPIRIT, BP Explorer and Spirit of Sark but there are other strong contenders ‘up there’ who are not going to make it easy for the three – with podium place winners running the length and breadth of the fleet.
Duggie Gillespie was in reflective mood when he wrote the following to Race HQ this morning: “Most importantly this leg is only 15-17 days long and with everything, I mean everything, to play for. When we arrived in Boston we had dropped to third place overall but as a result of a protest hearing one of our main rivals, BP Explorer, who had beaten us over the line by 1 minute 28 seconds, were docked three points.
“(But) what is this bigger driving force? This crew is not being paid to get up out of their bunks every four hours and race. Each have given up a lot for this project, jobs, cars, homes remortgaged, that's the motivation and the realisation that this is a unique chance for those who haven't chosen yachting as a career - not just sailing but racing round the world the wrong way! The value is high to each individual crew member. As a team though we too have put in place a set of values. These values are our constant gold standard that we have come back to time and time again when the focus slips or conflict threatens to disrupt the cohesion we have worked so hard to build over the last 18 months and 30,000 miles. And I believe it works. Even as skills and abilities have improved we have needed constant re-evaluation and reminders to keep ourselves in check.
“It's about keeping fresh and invigorated, particularly at this late stage, when monotony can be a great enemy against the urgency required by racing. With less than twenty days left at sea in the whole of this Global Challenge there is a real sense of straining to savour each moment of just being out here, racing across the North Atlantic and enjoying it! This leg is, so far, no different to the last one in that we have not yet been alone, out of sight of our opponents. This is boat on boat racing again for thousands of miles. If that isn't focus enough then what is?”
The fleet is currently on a straight-line chase to Waypoint Charlie - designed to keep the yachts off the banks of Newfoundland –, which should be reached, in the next few days.
- Ends -
Further boat quotes:
“Our general strategy is to sail north of the fleet, avoiding the high-pressure system further South and to catch some of the low-pressure system (and therefore stronger winds) north. Ideally, we can then 'dip' further north to increase wind speed, and 'dip' south if lighter winds are required. We are therefore currently the northern most boat, in the company of BG, Me to You & Pindar who are all within visual range. Winds increased this morning and we peeled to our heavier kite, the Flanker. We are expecting the wind to shift forward later which will mean sailing close hauled on foresails.” Clive Cosby, Team Stelmar
“We are now trying to make maximum use of our northerly position where we have more wind than the southerly boats. We have already had 2 good skeds and hopefully these will continue. We are now having to decide how best to deal with the wind hole, which is due tomorrow. Hopefully at our current speed we will pass ahead of it as it moves north.” James Allen, Me to You
“Staying slightly north of the rumb line has put us in a tactically good positions since the wind is going to fill from the north and build slowly. We’ll then head slightly down towards the waypoint with a good angle and breeze...over the last few hours we have gained on the fleet to the south of us and the wind is steadily building.” Loz Marriott, Pindar
“The crew of BP Explorer are enjoying fast downwind sailing - with more wind than originally forecast and we’ve been making 11 knots in flat water and clear blue skies. We are taking a line slightly left of the great circle route to the waypoint - as this avoids the worst of the light winds in the high pressure to the right.” David Melville, BP Explorer
They promised competition and a no holds bar fight to the end and that is exactly what the crews in the Global Challenge are doing with old rivals Spirit of Sark just three miles ahead of BP Explorer and VAIO in the 6th and penultimate leg.
BG SPIRIT – current overall race leaders – Barclays Adventurer, Imagine It. Done and Samsung, all just have 4 miles to the leader; yachts within sight of one another and competition, as always, painfully high. Team Stelmar is in 8th just three miles behind again; Pindar another 2 miles behind Team Stelmar with Team Save the Children and SAIC La Jolla – the most southerly yacht - 23 miles behind the leader.
Eero Lehtinen, skipper of SAIC La Jolla offered a reason for his team’s slow start: “Our plan to get into good breeze from the low coming up from the south has gone wrong as this system has weakened significantly and now the best breeze should be building from the north although looking at the other boats this does not appear the case! We have to limit the damage for now and find a way to use our southerly position to our best advantage.”
The yachts are currently experiencing strong downwind breezes which should continue for at least the next 24 hours, so the crews should be set for more high boat speeds and an exhilarating ride across to Waypoint Charlie.
With the overall points currently as they are with BG SPIRIT just three points ahead of BP Explorer and Spirit of Sark the Global Challenge 2004/05 could actually be won on technicality rather than speed. “The jury, which penalized BP Explorer - following a protest lodged by Imagine It. Done. - did say it was a technical breach of the rules. Certainly a first for the Global Challenge if they do lose the race overall because of this and certainly a major talking point,” cited Cal Tomlinson, Challenge Business’ sailing manager.
In Boston there was much said about Leg 6 being a 3 way battle between BG SPIRIT, BP Explorer and Spirit of Sark but there are other strong contenders ‘up there’ who are not going to make it easy for the three – with podium place winners running the length and breadth of the fleet.
Duggie Gillespie was in reflective mood when he wrote the following to Race HQ this morning: “Most importantly this leg is only 15-17 days long and with everything, I mean everything, to play for. When we arrived in Boston we had dropped to third place overall but as a result of a protest hearing one of our main rivals, BP Explorer, who had beaten us over the line by 1 minute 28 seconds, were docked three points.
“(But) what is this bigger driving force? This crew is not being paid to get up out of their bunks every four hours and race. Each have given up a lot for this project, jobs, cars, homes remortgaged, that's the motivation and the realisation that this is a unique chance for those who haven't chosen yachting as a career - not just sailing but racing round the world the wrong way! The value is high to each individual crew member. As a team though we too have put in place a set of values. These values are our constant gold standard that we have come back to time and time again when the focus slips or conflict threatens to disrupt the cohesion we have worked so hard to build over the last 18 months and 30,000 miles. And I believe it works. Even as skills and abilities have improved we have needed constant re-evaluation and reminders to keep ourselves in check.
“It's about keeping fresh and invigorated, particularly at this late stage, when monotony can be a great enemy against the urgency required by racing. With less than twenty days left at sea in the whole of this Global Challenge there is a real sense of straining to savour each moment of just being out here, racing across the North Atlantic and enjoying it! This leg is, so far, no different to the last one in that we have not yet been alone, out of sight of our opponents. This is boat on boat racing again for thousands of miles. If that isn't focus enough then what is?”
The fleet is currently on a straight-line chase to Waypoint Charlie - designed to keep the yachts off the banks of Newfoundland –, which should be reached, in the next few days.
- Ends -
Further boat quotes:
“Our general strategy is to sail north of the fleet, avoiding the high-pressure system further South and to catch some of the low-pressure system (and therefore stronger winds) north. Ideally, we can then 'dip' further north to increase wind speed, and 'dip' south if lighter winds are required. We are therefore currently the northern most boat, in the company of BG, Me to You & Pindar who are all within visual range. Winds increased this morning and we peeled to our heavier kite, the Flanker. We are expecting the wind to shift forward later which will mean sailing close hauled on foresails.” Clive Cosby, Team Stelmar
“We are now trying to make maximum use of our northerly position where we have more wind than the southerly boats. We have already had 2 good skeds and hopefully these will continue. We are now having to decide how best to deal with the wind hole, which is due tomorrow. Hopefully at our current speed we will pass ahead of it as it moves north.” James Allen, Me to You
“Staying slightly north of the rumb line has put us in a tactically good positions since the wind is going to fill from the north and build slowly. We’ll then head slightly down towards the waypoint with a good angle and breeze...over the last few hours we have gained on the fleet to the south of us and the wind is steadily building.” Loz Marriott, Pindar
“The crew of BP Explorer are enjoying fast downwind sailing - with more wind than originally forecast and we’ve been making 11 knots in flat water and clear blue skies. We are taking a line slightly left of the great circle route to the waypoint - as this avoids the worst of the light winds in the high pressure to the right.” David Melville, BP Explorer
Monday, May 16, 2005
BP Explorer takes the lead of Global Challenge
Taken from News Report on 9:09 AM Mon 16 May 2005
BP Explorer has taken the lead in the Global Challenge, knocking the BG Spirit crew off the top spot.
BG Spirit had held for the past few days, and taken the accolade of being the first to cross the equator.
David Melville, skipper of the yacht, jubilantly called the Race Office saying, 'having crossed the Equator this morning, all on board are in good spirits.
'The skipper and navigator, however, are slightly anxious - being the most easterly boat looks OK on the current weather forecasts, but is historically a poor position to be in. So it's whisky for most on board to celebrate crossing the Equator, and fingers crossed for the skipper and navigator.'
Crossing the equator will be another huge milestone for all the 200+ strong crew across the whole fleet, and a sign they are ever closer to finishing their round the world adventure and an achievement that very few can boast of.
On this, the fifth and longest leg, questions are already being raised as to whether the fleet is actually going to encounter the doldrums.
'As of 0600 UTC morning,' says Challenge Business Sailing Manager Cal Tomlinson, 'the ITCZ (InterTropical Convergence Zone) which is usually situated at a latitude of around 5 degrees north seems to be very small.
'As the week progresses there will be a windless area extending from the African coast westward which could possibly impede the progress of the second half of the fleet.
'For the moment it seems as though the first five to seven yachts can look forward to a swift passage through this potentially frustrating area.
'The yachts that transit this area quickly can in turn look forward to a swift overall passage – once through they can look forward to 1500 miles of reaching across the north east trades.
'Traditionally, the western route through the ITCZ is generally favoured, however, with the St Peter and St Paul waypoint to be kept to port, yachts are having to play the middle ground.'
This next waypoint - the Penedos de Sao Pedro a Sao Paulo (St Peter and St Paul Rocks) are north of Ascension Island, relatively close to the coast of Brazil.
They are submarine mountains, which extend 3000 metres up from the ocean floor, but only 19.5m above sea level. However, the islands do not have to be passed close by.
Yachts have to report to the race office when passing that point to port, but the reporting point is determined to be when the boat crosses the latitude of the islands (0° 23’ N).
They are expected to reach this waypoint in the next 12-18 hours.
Race positions:
BP Explorer 3,497 (distance to finish)
BG SPIRIT 2 (miles to leader)
VAIO 5
SAIC La Jolla 11
Spirit of Sark 32
Team Stelmar 48
Me To You 53
Barclays Adventurer 62
Imagine It. Done 111
Samsung 129
Pindar 149
Team Save the Children 200
by Rachel Anning
BP Explorer has taken the lead in the Global Challenge, knocking the BG Spirit crew off the top spot.
BG Spirit had held for the past few days, and taken the accolade of being the first to cross the equator.
David Melville, skipper of the yacht, jubilantly called the Race Office saying, 'having crossed the Equator this morning, all on board are in good spirits.
'The skipper and navigator, however, are slightly anxious - being the most easterly boat looks OK on the current weather forecasts, but is historically a poor position to be in. So it's whisky for most on board to celebrate crossing the Equator, and fingers crossed for the skipper and navigator.'
Crossing the equator will be another huge milestone for all the 200+ strong crew across the whole fleet, and a sign they are ever closer to finishing their round the world adventure and an achievement that very few can boast of.
On this, the fifth and longest leg, questions are already being raised as to whether the fleet is actually going to encounter the doldrums.
'As of 0600 UTC morning,' says Challenge Business Sailing Manager Cal Tomlinson, 'the ITCZ (InterTropical Convergence Zone) which is usually situated at a latitude of around 5 degrees north seems to be very small.
'As the week progresses there will be a windless area extending from the African coast westward which could possibly impede the progress of the second half of the fleet.
'For the moment it seems as though the first five to seven yachts can look forward to a swift passage through this potentially frustrating area.
'The yachts that transit this area quickly can in turn look forward to a swift overall passage – once through they can look forward to 1500 miles of reaching across the north east trades.
'Traditionally, the western route through the ITCZ is generally favoured, however, with the St Peter and St Paul waypoint to be kept to port, yachts are having to play the middle ground.'
This next waypoint - the Penedos de Sao Pedro a Sao Paulo (St Peter and St Paul Rocks) are north of Ascension Island, relatively close to the coast of Brazil.
They are submarine mountains, which extend 3000 metres up from the ocean floor, but only 19.5m above sea level. However, the islands do not have to be passed close by.
Yachts have to report to the race office when passing that point to port, but the reporting point is determined to be when the boat crosses the latitude of the islands (0° 23’ N).
They are expected to reach this waypoint in the next 12-18 hours.
Race positions:
BP Explorer 3,497 (distance to finish)
BG SPIRIT 2 (miles to leader)
VAIO 5
SAIC La Jolla 11
Spirit of Sark 32
Team Stelmar 48
Me To You 53
Barclays Adventurer 62
Imagine It. Done 111
Samsung 129
Pindar 149
Team Save the Children 200
by Rachel Anning
Friday, March 18, 2005
Global Challenge: BP Explorer Sacrifice 1st Place In Tactical Gamble
Taken from News Report on 09:03 18th March 2005
BP Explorer has sacrificed the lead in leg 4 of the Global Challenge in a tactical gamble on the approach to Waypoint Bravo, just north of the Kuergelen Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean.
In anticipation of the strong winds from the southwest that will soon fill in as a conventional Southern Ocean low passes under the fleet, they headed south to line themselves up for the mark.
The southwesterly winds will lift all the teams on the racecourse on the run in to the psychologically and tactically significant waypoint. David Melvile, skipper of BP Explorer, clearly believes his former position would have left him sailing too far north, and therefore further from the great circle route to Cape Town that will take the fleet south again after rounding the mark.
"We have purposefully cashed in our first-place position," reported BP Explorer Crew Volunteer, Naomi Cudmore, "getting some south in, hopefully to better set ourselves up for that 2,500-mile-long line to Cape Town. Whether or not this relatively bold move pays off will be impossible to determine until we finally round Bravo - probably on Monday."
BG SPIRIT has been heading south for some time, now in 10th place and also hoping the winds backing to the southwest and building in strength up to 30-35 knots will propel them through the rankings over the weekend.
At present though, former 2nd place Imagine It. Done. have taken the lead by 13nm; the team placed last on the overall leaderboard in 1st place on the water. After taking a few flyers that have not produced results in previous legs, skipper Dee Caffari promised her crew at the beginning of this leg in Sydney they would be concentrating on boat speed and staying in touch with the fleet. They have done exactly that and Dee's evaluation of their impressive performance was simple:
"We always knew we could sail the boat, but now we're pointing it in the right direction as well!"
Leaderboard DTF
1. Imagine It. Done. 3,088nm
2. BP Explorer 3,101nm
3. Spirit of Sark 3,108nm
4. Team Stelmar 3,114nm
5. Pindar 3,126nm
6. Barclays Adventurer 3,128nm
7. SAIC La Jolla 3,147nm
8. Samsung 3,152nm
9. Me to You 3,162nm
10.BG SPIRIT 3,170nm
11.VAIO 3,206nm
12.Team Save the Children 3,311nm
BP Explorer has sacrificed the lead in leg 4 of the Global Challenge in a tactical gamble on the approach to Waypoint Bravo, just north of the Kuergelen Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean.
In anticipation of the strong winds from the southwest that will soon fill in as a conventional Southern Ocean low passes under the fleet, they headed south to line themselves up for the mark.
The southwesterly winds will lift all the teams on the racecourse on the run in to the psychologically and tactically significant waypoint. David Melvile, skipper of BP Explorer, clearly believes his former position would have left him sailing too far north, and therefore further from the great circle route to Cape Town that will take the fleet south again after rounding the mark.
"We have purposefully cashed in our first-place position," reported BP Explorer Crew Volunteer, Naomi Cudmore, "getting some south in, hopefully to better set ourselves up for that 2,500-mile-long line to Cape Town. Whether or not this relatively bold move pays off will be impossible to determine until we finally round Bravo - probably on Monday."
BG SPIRIT has been heading south for some time, now in 10th place and also hoping the winds backing to the southwest and building in strength up to 30-35 knots will propel them through the rankings over the weekend.
At present though, former 2nd place Imagine It. Done. have taken the lead by 13nm; the team placed last on the overall leaderboard in 1st place on the water. After taking a few flyers that have not produced results in previous legs, skipper Dee Caffari promised her crew at the beginning of this leg in Sydney they would be concentrating on boat speed and staying in touch with the fleet. They have done exactly that and Dee's evaluation of their impressive performance was simple:
"We always knew we could sail the boat, but now we're pointing it in the right direction as well!"
Leaderboard DTF
1. Imagine It. Done. 3,088nm
2. BP Explorer 3,101nm
3. Spirit of Sark 3,108nm
4. Team Stelmar 3,114nm
5. Pindar 3,126nm
6. Barclays Adventurer 3,128nm
7. SAIC La Jolla 3,147nm
8. Samsung 3,152nm
9. Me to You 3,162nm
10.BG SPIRIT 3,170nm
11.VAIO 3,206nm
12.Team Save the Children 3,311nm
Thursday, March 10, 2005
BP Explorer Maintains Her Lead
Taken from News Report by Rachel Anning (As Amended By ISAF). Image, BP Explorer:© Challenge Business, Thursday, March 10, 2005
The fleet is still running parallel on the same tack, led by BP Explorer – now twelve miles in front of Imagine It. Done.
The fleet has been experiencing reaching conditions making for fast 24 hour runs in the right direction. BG SPIRIT recorded the greatest distance sailed in this period of 224 nm, averaging 9.4 knots, adding to their fragile 2 nm lead over Spirit of Sark.
Ahead it looks like there will be a day’s calm before the next low arrives as Duggie GILLESPIE (GBR), skipper of Spirit of Sark explains: 'Possible light winds further down our track and we await these conditions. We are keeping the northing that we have for now, to see what happens ahead. Fantastic reaching conditions at the moment - good to have a different point of sail for a change from up-wind.'
Hoping to catch up with the leaders is Loz MARRIOTT (GBR), skipper aboard Pindar: 'Being in the northern part of the fleet has helped and we have gained a few miles on the leaders. At present we have strong northerlies, which are going to back to the northwest for a good few hours. In the medium term, there is a front, after which we will encounter strong westerlies.'
David MELVILLE (GBR), skipper of BP Explorer is determined not to let the fleet creep back up: 'We are reasonably happy with our position at the halfway stage to Waypoint Bravo. The challenge is to consolidate that position and to cover yachts close on our heels but representing a very wide north - south spread.'
Chasing BP Explorer is proving difficult for Dee CAFFARI (GBR) on board Imagine it. Done. with visibility so poor she can barely see a few boat lengths ahead: 'With the weather allowing visibility to only 10 boat lengths, if that, there is very little chance of seeing each other, even with the closeness we have had racing. The worry now comes with the next low and the westerly blast that comes with it.'
'The fleet is all going the same direction now, as we have enjoyed strong reaching conditions for the whole of last night, but the racing will be split again as the fleet starts to tack its way upwind through the westerly airflow. We shall all rendezvous at Waypoint Bravo in less than 2,000 miles I expect.'
Also with one eye on Waypoint Bravo, as well as the imminent weather system, is Clive COSBY (GBR) aboard Team Stelmar: 'Staying on starboard tack for a while as winds are favourable, maintaining a sail plan for balance to avoid weather helm, constantly trimming of main and adjusting course for best position and speed towards Waypoint Bravo.'
The fleet is still running parallel on the same tack, led by BP Explorer – now twelve miles in front of Imagine It. Done.
The fleet has been experiencing reaching conditions making for fast 24 hour runs in the right direction. BG SPIRIT recorded the greatest distance sailed in this period of 224 nm, averaging 9.4 knots, adding to their fragile 2 nm lead over Spirit of Sark.
Ahead it looks like there will be a day’s calm before the next low arrives as Duggie GILLESPIE (GBR), skipper of Spirit of Sark explains: 'Possible light winds further down our track and we await these conditions. We are keeping the northing that we have for now, to see what happens ahead. Fantastic reaching conditions at the moment - good to have a different point of sail for a change from up-wind.'
Hoping to catch up with the leaders is Loz MARRIOTT (GBR), skipper aboard Pindar: 'Being in the northern part of the fleet has helped and we have gained a few miles on the leaders. At present we have strong northerlies, which are going to back to the northwest for a good few hours. In the medium term, there is a front, after which we will encounter strong westerlies.'
David MELVILLE (GBR), skipper of BP Explorer is determined not to let the fleet creep back up: 'We are reasonably happy with our position at the halfway stage to Waypoint Bravo. The challenge is to consolidate that position and to cover yachts close on our heels but representing a very wide north - south spread.'
Chasing BP Explorer is proving difficult for Dee CAFFARI (GBR) on board Imagine it. Done. with visibility so poor she can barely see a few boat lengths ahead: 'With the weather allowing visibility to only 10 boat lengths, if that, there is very little chance of seeing each other, even with the closeness we have had racing. The worry now comes with the next low and the westerly blast that comes with it.'
'The fleet is all going the same direction now, as we have enjoyed strong reaching conditions for the whole of last night, but the racing will be split again as the fleet starts to tack its way upwind through the westerly airflow. We shall all rendezvous at Waypoint Bravo in less than 2,000 miles I expect.'
Also with one eye on Waypoint Bravo, as well as the imminent weather system, is Clive COSBY (GBR) aboard Team Stelmar: 'Staying on starboard tack for a while as winds are favourable, maintaining a sail plan for balance to avoid weather helm, constantly trimming of main and adjusting course for best position and speed towards Waypoint Bravo.'
Friday, January 7, 2005
Leg 2 Day 38 : Spirit of Sark win Leg 2 in Wellington
Spirit of Sark bashing through the waves
After an agonising last few miles, Spirit of Sark managed to overtake BG SPIRIT, battle through 40 knots of wind and take the Leg 2 crown. A jubilant and bearded skipper, Duggie (far too busy to shave!) was ecstatic as he came in first. Last time he raced into New Zealand he was a Crew Volunteer (aboard the yacht Interspray), this time he's a winning skipper. Not only that but he's taken the record, originally set by Conrad Humphreys in the BT Global Challenge 2000/01. Conrad, who went on to win the BT Global Challenge, now racing in the Vendee Globe came into Wellington in a time of 36 days 10hrs 53 min 39 Secs. Spirit of Sark's was 36d 7h 2m 33s!
A look back on Leg 2
Spirit of Sark then was the first yacht to round Cape Horn. After Cape Horn and the subsequent change in the weather, Spirit of Sark hung on to their first place, but only by a small margin, and they swapped back and forth over the next few days with BG SPIRIT, their adversary for much of the leg. After holding the lead for 10 days, Spirit of Sark lost it to BG SPIRIT who made a bold move to the front. However, by Day 25, Spirit of Sark were back in the lead after making the most of the winds changing up to gale force and putting the whole fleet though their entire sail wardrobe! On Day 28 (better known as Christmas Day), Spirit of Sark were still the Global Challenge No 1, leading the way as thoughts turned towards friends and family at home.
Neck-and-neck race with BG SPIRIT
The following day, after a month at sea, an approaching high-pressure system hit the leaders, enabling BP Explorer to catch up and take the lead by Day 30. The light winds were about to pass with a bashing 35 knots from the northwest. However, they were back in the lead, and held on to it doggedly for the next 3 days, until BG SPIRIT managed to catch a slightly better route around the next high-pressure system, and forced Spirit of Sark into second place as they crossed the international date line, skipping 24 hours and missing midnight New Year's Eve altogether! Spirit of Sark fights a massive rear guard action over the next 48 hours, holding off BP Explorer from behind and gradually catching up. By 9am GMT on Day 37, they are just three miles behind as they approach New Zealand. They took the lead in the final hours! Remarkable.
BP Explorer takes second
The champagne corks are popping following an awesome 2nd place battle, which was won - just - by BP Explorer. They were neck and neck right the way through to end with BG SPIRIT but found the ace and crept past! Almost from nowhere BP Explorer shook off third place and decided to contest and take second, very nearly taking first place victory from Spirit of Sark.
BG SPIRIT takes 3rd
BG SPIRIT has finished in third place following a phenomenal battle between Spirit of Sark and BP Explorer. Skipper Andy Forbes and his crew were out there leading just 12 hours ago but were piped to the post, in the 11th hour, by Spirit of Sark (winners) and BP Explorer (2nd), who just managed to find the right wind. BG SPIRIT were marching through in first but got parked in one of those frustrating wind holes, which drive the crew so crazy they literally want to jump out and swim the boat in! A podium place is a very proud place for Andy and his spirits to sit in, particularly given the pace of racing during this leg.
After an agonising last few miles, Spirit of Sark managed to overtake BG SPIRIT, battle through 40 knots of wind and take the Leg 2 crown. A jubilant and bearded skipper, Duggie (far too busy to shave!) was ecstatic as he came in first. Last time he raced into New Zealand he was a Crew Volunteer (aboard the yacht Interspray), this time he's a winning skipper. Not only that but he's taken the record, originally set by Conrad Humphreys in the BT Global Challenge 2000/01. Conrad, who went on to win the BT Global Challenge, now racing in the Vendee Globe came into Wellington in a time of 36 days 10hrs 53 min 39 Secs. Spirit of Sark's was 36d 7h 2m 33s!
A look back on Leg 2
Spirit of Sark then was the first yacht to round Cape Horn. After Cape Horn and the subsequent change in the weather, Spirit of Sark hung on to their first place, but only by a small margin, and they swapped back and forth over the next few days with BG SPIRIT, their adversary for much of the leg. After holding the lead for 10 days, Spirit of Sark lost it to BG SPIRIT who made a bold move to the front. However, by Day 25, Spirit of Sark were back in the lead after making the most of the winds changing up to gale force and putting the whole fleet though their entire sail wardrobe! On Day 28 (better known as Christmas Day), Spirit of Sark were still the Global Challenge No 1, leading the way as thoughts turned towards friends and family at home.
Neck-and-neck race with BG SPIRIT
The following day, after a month at sea, an approaching high-pressure system hit the leaders, enabling BP Explorer to catch up and take the lead by Day 30. The light winds were about to pass with a bashing 35 knots from the northwest. However, they were back in the lead, and held on to it doggedly for the next 3 days, until BG SPIRIT managed to catch a slightly better route around the next high-pressure system, and forced Spirit of Sark into second place as they crossed the international date line, skipping 24 hours and missing midnight New Year's Eve altogether! Spirit of Sark fights a massive rear guard action over the next 48 hours, holding off BP Explorer from behind and gradually catching up. By 9am GMT on Day 37, they are just three miles behind as they approach New Zealand. They took the lead in the final hours! Remarkable.
BP Explorer takes second
The champagne corks are popping following an awesome 2nd place battle, which was won - just - by BP Explorer. They were neck and neck right the way through to end with BG SPIRIT but found the ace and crept past! Almost from nowhere BP Explorer shook off third place and decided to contest and take second, very nearly taking first place victory from Spirit of Sark.
BG SPIRIT takes 3rd
BG SPIRIT has finished in third place following a phenomenal battle between Spirit of Sark and BP Explorer. Skipper Andy Forbes and his crew were out there leading just 12 hours ago but were piped to the post, in the 11th hour, by Spirit of Sark (winners) and BP Explorer (2nd), who just managed to find the right wind. BG SPIRIT were marching through in first but got parked in one of those frustrating wind holes, which drive the crew so crazy they literally want to jump out and swim the boat in! A podium place is a very proud place for Andy and his spirits to sit in, particularly given the pace of racing during this leg.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Leg 1 Global Challenge Living Up to its Name - Aussie Leads
Taken from News Report by Rachel Anning , Thursday, 14 October 2004
Samsung, skippered by Aussie Matt Riddell, has taken over the prestigious first place in the Global Challenge as the lead yacht in the westerly group of the fleet, now split in two.
East and West now battle it out as they race towards the trade winds, which the yachts will reach in around 300 miles.
The fleet has just passed the Canary Islands in two distinct fleets. In the past few days the westerly yachts have enjoyed an advantage over the easterly yachts, which have passed through the Canary Islands looking for the Wind Acceleration Zone – the wind tunnel that occurs as wind passes between islands, known to occur between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
There is now also a low pressure forming to the west of the fleet which will cause south westerly winds, bringing to an end the reaching run for the westerly yachts. Conversely there seems to be a north east breeze along the African coast within reach of the easterly yachts.
With the weather looking like it will remain stable in the meantime, and with lighter headwinds for the westerly fleet, there may be another imminent change in the leader board.
Team Save the Children, skippered by Paul Kelly, which nearly had to divert to the Canary Islands due to a water maker failure is gambling now to make up the deficit of miles lost over the past few days.
They have diverted far east in what looks like a desperate attempt to find the stronger winds nearer to the coast. Time will tell if they can make up the 212 miles they are currently trailing from the leader.
Fourth place Barclays Adventurer, skippered by Stuart Jackson, looks to be in the most advantageous position, having got back on the Rhumbline and hence capable of going either west or east.
David Melville, skipper of BP Explorer, currently lying in the middle of the fleet in seventh place explains the recent few days out at sea.
‘Which way to go? So BG SPIRIT (ninth place), Spirit of Sark (fifth place) and BP Explorer headed down between these islands in a kind of collective madness.
'We needed the wind to hold for this to work and inevitably it did not. We sailed slowly - oh so slowly - between the islands and every position schedule showed a worse and worse picture. It was hell, there is nothing worse than being a skipper and leading your boat into a poor strategic position.
‘I felt tense, anxious and miserable the whole day, it was so bad that I had stomach cramps. The only consolation was that we were not on our own. For most of this time Spirit of Sark were within close sight. First and second favourites, according to the bookies anyway, stuck behind an island where they should know better - ridiculous.
‘Well we are on our way again. We are out to the east and consider ourselves to be in a three boat race for the next week. Slightly higher speed trade winds are forecast out here and so we should be able to slowly claw back some mileage.
'So much has happened and we have only been going about 10 days so there is probably another 25 days left to sort this mess out.’
Having to find every inch of mileage from the yachts is hard work and leads to immense frustrations. As well as a great deal of soul searching from some there is also the usual banter from others as Richard Parsons of Team Stelmar explains:
‘Now there are many criteria for selecting someone to climb the 95 feet to the top of the mast, but today a simple error was made.
‘The crewmember selected was one that had,
a) More or less, been suffering from motion sickness for 10 days.
b) Was feeling unwell
c) Had just eaten lunch
d) Been un-communicative for the last half an hour
e) Had never scaled the mast before
‘Nevertheless, he was hoisted to the top of the mast to look for wind. After a half an hour at the top and still being un-communicative, even though his primary role there was to communicate, his first clear call was ‘Look out below!’
'Instinctively, instead of ducking for cover, all the crew on deck looked heavenwards, which was their second mistake, as they were soon to discover.
‘It might not seem funny to you, but for those of us below decks away from the firing line, in a manner of speaking, our day was brightened enormously as the contents of his stomach rained down on the deck above us.
‘The queue for the showers shortly afterwards was a source of much amusement for some and considerable embarrassment for others.’
Current team positions:
Position yacht Distance to go
1 Samsung 4,376
2 VAIO 4,379
3 SAIC 4,383
4 Barclays Adventurer 4,398
5 Imagine It. Done 4,409
6 Spirit of Sark 4,492
7 BP Explorer 4,444
8 BG SPIRIT 4,447
9 Team Stelmar 4,482
10 Pindar 4,500
11 Me to You 4,533
12 Save the Children 4,588
Samsung, skippered by Aussie Matt Riddell, has taken over the prestigious first place in the Global Challenge as the lead yacht in the westerly group of the fleet, now split in two.
East and West now battle it out as they race towards the trade winds, which the yachts will reach in around 300 miles.
The fleet has just passed the Canary Islands in two distinct fleets. In the past few days the westerly yachts have enjoyed an advantage over the easterly yachts, which have passed through the Canary Islands looking for the Wind Acceleration Zone – the wind tunnel that occurs as wind passes between islands, known to occur between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
There is now also a low pressure forming to the west of the fleet which will cause south westerly winds, bringing to an end the reaching run for the westerly yachts. Conversely there seems to be a north east breeze along the African coast within reach of the easterly yachts.
With the weather looking like it will remain stable in the meantime, and with lighter headwinds for the westerly fleet, there may be another imminent change in the leader board.
Team Save the Children, skippered by Paul Kelly, which nearly had to divert to the Canary Islands due to a water maker failure is gambling now to make up the deficit of miles lost over the past few days.
They have diverted far east in what looks like a desperate attempt to find the stronger winds nearer to the coast. Time will tell if they can make up the 212 miles they are currently trailing from the leader.
Fourth place Barclays Adventurer, skippered by Stuart Jackson, looks to be in the most advantageous position, having got back on the Rhumbline and hence capable of going either west or east.
David Melville, skipper of BP Explorer, currently lying in the middle of the fleet in seventh place explains the recent few days out at sea.
‘Which way to go? So BG SPIRIT (ninth place), Spirit of Sark (fifth place) and BP Explorer headed down between these islands in a kind of collective madness.
'We needed the wind to hold for this to work and inevitably it did not. We sailed slowly - oh so slowly - between the islands and every position schedule showed a worse and worse picture. It was hell, there is nothing worse than being a skipper and leading your boat into a poor strategic position.
‘I felt tense, anxious and miserable the whole day, it was so bad that I had stomach cramps. The only consolation was that we were not on our own. For most of this time Spirit of Sark were within close sight. First and second favourites, according to the bookies anyway, stuck behind an island where they should know better - ridiculous.
‘Well we are on our way again. We are out to the east and consider ourselves to be in a three boat race for the next week. Slightly higher speed trade winds are forecast out here and so we should be able to slowly claw back some mileage.
'So much has happened and we have only been going about 10 days so there is probably another 25 days left to sort this mess out.’
Having to find every inch of mileage from the yachts is hard work and leads to immense frustrations. As well as a great deal of soul searching from some there is also the usual banter from others as Richard Parsons of Team Stelmar explains:
‘Now there are many criteria for selecting someone to climb the 95 feet to the top of the mast, but today a simple error was made.
‘The crewmember selected was one that had,
a) More or less, been suffering from motion sickness for 10 days.
b) Was feeling unwell
c) Had just eaten lunch
d) Been un-communicative for the last half an hour
e) Had never scaled the mast before
‘Nevertheless, he was hoisted to the top of the mast to look for wind. After a half an hour at the top and still being un-communicative, even though his primary role there was to communicate, his first clear call was ‘Look out below!’
'Instinctively, instead of ducking for cover, all the crew on deck looked heavenwards, which was their second mistake, as they were soon to discover.
‘It might not seem funny to you, but for those of us below decks away from the firing line, in a manner of speaking, our day was brightened enormously as the contents of his stomach rained down on the deck above us.
‘The queue for the showers shortly afterwards was a source of much amusement for some and considerable embarrassment for others.’
Current team positions:
Position yacht Distance to go
1 Samsung 4,376
2 VAIO 4,379
3 SAIC 4,383
4 Barclays Adventurer 4,398
5 Imagine It. Done 4,409
6 Spirit of Sark 4,492
7 BP Explorer 4,444
8 BG SPIRIT 4,447
9 Team Stelmar 4,482
10 Pindar 4,500
11 Me to You 4,533
12 Save the Children 4,588
Friday, October 8, 2004
Leg 1 Protest blitz hits Global Challenge
Taken from News Report by Elaine Bunting, Yachting World on 8 October 2004
Controversy swept the Global Challenge fleet this afternoon as seven of the 12 yacht crews were informed of the race committee's intention to protest them for a rules infringement. The committee believes that Barclays, BG Spirit, BP Explorer, Save the Children, Pindar, SAIC and Team Stelmar all disobeyed the general sailing instructions by cutting across the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on day two of the race.
"The general sailing instructions refer to Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations," says Matthew Ratsey, Challenge Business technical director and a member of the race committee. Rule 10 b (ii) states that vessels should 'so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone'.
"From plots we can see some boats clearly made a conscious effort to avoid it, and we have others which blatantly did not," comments Ratsey. "We have definite plots of three of them in the TSS. With the others there are plots effectively on either side, but until we get their logs we can't be sure. We will have 24 hours after the boats get to Buenos Aires to examine the logs and lodge a protest."
The international jury will hear the protest in Buenos Aires. If it is upheld, they may choose to dock a point from teams, one point being equivalent to one place. Juries often favour a softly softly approach to infringements on ocean races - think of the £1,000 fine illbruck received during the last Volvo Ocean Race for breaking class rules by fixing a weed cutting device to the S-drive - but ignoring a rule that underlines the Collision Regulations would seem to be a much more serious offence.
Whatever the outcome, these seven crews have another pressure-cooker month at sea in which to rue the potential consequences.
This morning the race gained a new leader as David Melville and crew on BP Explorer pinched the lead from Isle of Sark. Yesterday, Isle of Sark broke their 1.5oz spinnaker, which tore across the head and ripped down the tapes. The Sark crew will be busy stapling it back together in the next couple of days.
The fleet has been sailing fast downwind in the last 24 hours, racing towards a low pressure system off Portugal which is intensifying and is forecast to deepen to 985mb by midnight tonight. By this time the yachts should have reached the south-western quadrant and will be broad reaching into decreasing winds. As they do, they will meet lumpy beam seas and life will temporarily be less comfortable.
Today's position reports illustrate a variety of tactics, with two distinct packs forming: one to the west, headed by Matt Riddell and crew on Samsung; the others to the east and closer to the rhumb line, headed by BP Explorer and Isle of Sark.
The aim in both cases is get far enough west to sail over the top of approaching low and down its western flank, so keeping in favourable winds, yet not so far west as to add unnecessary miles. In the next 12 hours we will see if the eastern group have managed to shape a course that skirts lighter winds near the centre of the low.
This weekend, it looks like the fleet will be fast reaching, which will be hard on gear and stressful for crew. Only the most adept helmsmen will be used and, at this early stage of the race, those are going to be few and far between. To add to their difficulties, the waning moon will be rising later and later in the morning, so during the night helmsmen will have the horrid job of trying to anticipate waves in pitch darkness.
Controversy swept the Global Challenge fleet this afternoon as seven of the 12 yacht crews were informed of the race committee's intention to protest them for a rules infringement. The committee believes that Barclays, BG Spirit, BP Explorer, Save the Children, Pindar, SAIC and Team Stelmar all disobeyed the general sailing instructions by cutting across the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on day two of the race.
"The general sailing instructions refer to Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations," says Matthew Ratsey, Challenge Business technical director and a member of the race committee. Rule 10 b (ii) states that vessels should 'so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone'.
"From plots we can see some boats clearly made a conscious effort to avoid it, and we have others which blatantly did not," comments Ratsey. "We have definite plots of three of them in the TSS. With the others there are plots effectively on either side, but until we get their logs we can't be sure. We will have 24 hours after the boats get to Buenos Aires to examine the logs and lodge a protest."
The international jury will hear the protest in Buenos Aires. If it is upheld, they may choose to dock a point from teams, one point being equivalent to one place. Juries often favour a softly softly approach to infringements on ocean races - think of the £1,000 fine illbruck received during the last Volvo Ocean Race for breaking class rules by fixing a weed cutting device to the S-drive - but ignoring a rule that underlines the Collision Regulations would seem to be a much more serious offence.
Whatever the outcome, these seven crews have another pressure-cooker month at sea in which to rue the potential consequences.
This morning the race gained a new leader as David Melville and crew on BP Explorer pinched the lead from Isle of Sark. Yesterday, Isle of Sark broke their 1.5oz spinnaker, which tore across the head and ripped down the tapes. The Sark crew will be busy stapling it back together in the next couple of days.
The fleet has been sailing fast downwind in the last 24 hours, racing towards a low pressure system off Portugal which is intensifying and is forecast to deepen to 985mb by midnight tonight. By this time the yachts should have reached the south-western quadrant and will be broad reaching into decreasing winds. As they do, they will meet lumpy beam seas and life will temporarily be less comfortable.
Today's position reports illustrate a variety of tactics, with two distinct packs forming: one to the west, headed by Matt Riddell and crew on Samsung; the others to the east and closer to the rhumb line, headed by BP Explorer and Isle of Sark.
The aim in both cases is get far enough west to sail over the top of approaching low and down its western flank, so keeping in favourable winds, yet not so far west as to add unnecessary miles. In the next 12 hours we will see if the eastern group have managed to shape a course that skirts lighter winds near the centre of the low.
This weekend, it looks like the fleet will be fast reaching, which will be hard on gear and stressful for crew. Only the most adept helmsmen will be used and, at this early stage of the race, those are going to be few and far between. To add to their difficulties, the waning moon will be rising later and later in the morning, so during the night helmsmen will have the horrid job of trying to anticipate waves in pitch darkness.
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