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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - COURTAULDS INTERNATIONAL FIGHTS BACK Southampton (UK), Saturday 19 October 1996 After six days of bringing up the rear of the fleet, at 07.50 hrs GMT today, Courtaulds International had moved up to 13th place pushing Time & Tide back to 14th position. She now leads her by 13 miles, 629 miles behind leading yacht Group 4. The yachts at the back of the fleet, namely Pause to Remember, Courtaulds International and Time & Tide remain the last of the yachts to pay homage to King Neptune, so that he won't then claim them for his watery locker. Preparations are being made: Report received from the crew of Courtaulds International at 08.24 hrs GMT on Saturday 19 October 1996: "Our skipper Boris has been seen moving furtively about the boat with a maniacal gleam in his eye and a fiendish grin, muttering something about frogs spawn and newts eyes and was heard to say "it's my turn now". All this may have something to do with our rapid approach to the equator and King Neptune's customary demand for a penance or forfeit before allowing newcomers to his southern kingdom. We expect to cross around 3pm and it would appear that we will be dining late and somewhat oddly - certainly several tins of baked beans, a large packet of oatflakes, a tin of jam seem to have disappeared and Paul our engineer reports the loss of five litres of gear box oil. What can all this mean?" The greeting of King Neptune is a highlight for the crew volunteers and in spite of the concentration required of the helmsman and sail trimmer in these relatively light airs, it is an occasion that has to be celebrated by all. As crew volunteer Malcolm on 3Com reported after his memorable occasion; "No one escaped, I was taken off my important helming task to be gunked with a slippery slimy concoction, for some junked up crime, even the poor old skipper couldn't escape Neptune's slime". Those yachts who have crossed the equator are relieved to have picked up the southeasterly trades of 17 knots. Sailing on a reach with a full set of sails being flown is resulting in waves crashing over the deck. These refreshing conditions are extremely welcome after experiencing the recent hot conditions in the Doldrums. Once the yachts have sailed into the southern hemisphere, they will be searching for the warmer Brazilian current that flows down the coast of South America in order to maximise their boat speed towards Rio. To ensure that the yachts keep within the current, the crew will be watching the water temperature gauge closely; if the temperature drops, (due to the flow coming in from the southern Ocean), the chances are that they will have moved out of the Brazilian current. Group 4 still leads the fleet, some 1143 miles from Rio, followed just over 60 miles behind by Toshiba Wave Warrior and Concert. After days away at sea the crew are now excited at the prospect of seeing the mainland. Report received from Group 4 at 09.31 hrs GMT on Saturday 19 October "Great night's sailing, romping along in good winds. Seem to be on shipping route - saw at least five - there is life out there! Must also be on plane route - saw two overnight. Fantastic dolphin show yesterday - eight dolphins circling the boat and jumping the waves whilst 1 spinning dolphin gave a wonderful display spinning high above the waves". For updated information on the BT Global Challenge: Internet site: http://www.btchallenge.com Fax database: 0990 321123 (+44 990 321123 from outside UK) Recorded telephone information line: 0891 505550 (UK only) Public information line: 01703 212124 (+44 1703 212124 from outside UK) Ceefax page 359 (UK only) |
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Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996.
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