| ||||||||||||
|
BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - WINDS SUBSIDE AND BOAT SPEEDS INCREASE AGAIN Southampton (UK), Saturday 21 December 1996 At 07:50 hrs GMT today, Group 4 had registered the highest boat speed of 9.4 knots and after a 24 hour run of 180 miles, she was leading Save the Children (2) by as much as 50 miles. All the yachts have reported that the atrocious conditions in the Southern Ocean have subsided, allowing the crews to undertake daily chores and attend to rigging maintenance. Global Teamwork brought down her defective forestay on deck to be repaired. She reset the rig and is happy to be up to speed again (averaging 8.7 knots) and intends to continue in this way throughout the remaining 1600 miles to Wellington. Heath Insured II also took advantage of the flatter seas. Her crew hoisted skipper Adrian Donovan up the mast - "wishing he hadn't been eating so much" - to replace a broken bracket on the spreader. Although her rigging problems have pushed her to the back of the fleet, the crew are all extremely grateful to their skipper "for all his support and commitment to them and the boat". All on board realise that they may now not make Wellington in time to see the New Year in, but would like to announce that if anyone sees Santa over Christmas they must "send him their way". Having sailed through the "mother of all storms", the crew on Ocean Rover have once again "fallen in love with the massive peaceful swells of the Southern Ocean, complete with its resident albatrosses skimming the waves". As on board the other yachts, the crew took advantage of the more peaceful and tranquil conditions, to check the rig. They repaired 4 strands that had broken at the top of the forestay, and re-tuned the rig, which slowed her down temporarily. However, she is now back on course and up to speed again. Other repairs included putting back together the wheel, which had almost disintegrated, with "an assortment of jubilee clips, piping and the all important sticky tape". Skipper Paul Bennett, is presently deciding whether to take advantage of the other yachts ahead of her that have had to slow down by flying as much sail as possible, or sail more prudently with the present sail plan of a staysail and 2 reefs. Paul's policy is in order "safe, happy and fast", so we can presume that the latter decision will be taken, particularly in preparation for the next gale which is forecast over the weekend. A continual battle for 7th place has been taking place between Pause to Remember and Nuclear Electric. Pause to Remember took charge over night "which caused whoops of delight from the crew" and at 07:50 hrs GMT she had increased her lead to 6 miles. We have yet to see if she can continue to fend off the pressure that Nuclear Electric is putting on her. Despite losing ground rapidly, sailing at only 2 knots under her jury rig, morale is still good on board Concert. She is to rendezvous with Time and Tide in the next few hours to transfer fuel, and if necessary will do likewise with Courtaulds International. 3Com's speed has been reduced to 3.8 knots as well, due to her rigging problems that she experienced last week, but all is well on board and she reported today that "the only major cause for concern, apart from the rig falling over the side, is the whereabouts of the final packet of salted peanuts". Whilst the concern on board Toshiba Wave Warrior, is not the loss of peanuts, but that she might miss Christmas Day due to crossing the date line. Report received today at 09:45 hrs GMT "Sunshine and sailing and flat seas - a chance for a bit of rest for the crew, an airing for the boat and a further inspection of the rig. The result of the latter showed no major change much to everyone's relief. We did however rig some additional support lines and the mast is now adorned with a red and yellow spectra - it's a pity that we didn't have any green because the appearance would have been both more nautical and more festive. Christmas is approaching, but we do not have any of the build up that you would normally have at home. We have just started the carols CD collection but the decorations have been put on hold due to the anticipated blow forecast in the next 24hours. There is also some slight concern that we may miss the 25th altogether". 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 enquiry bureau : 01703 212124 (+44 1703 212124 from outside UK) Ceefax page 388 (UK) |
 Let's Talk |
 |
Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996.
Notices| (i) | Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996. |
| (ii) | Access to this information/data or any part of this page via the World Wide Web must only be by linking to the relevant page on the BT Global Challenge Web Site. (http://www.btchallenge.com/results/latest/latest.htm) |
| (iii) | This information/data was originally produced by "BT's Race Information System". BT shall not be liable for use of any part of it. Subject to (ii), you may use the information/data alone provided this notice is included. |
| (iv) | You may copy and use any part of this page, other than on the World Wide Web, provided you include all of these notices. You must not charge for public use and before such use you must inform BT by facsimile to 0171 777 7444 or email to h.brierley@btinternet.com stating the intended use. |
| (v) | Inform BT (as in notice (iv)) if your platform is not world wide web. |
| (vi) | Map data was produced using MundoCart/CD (a digital product of Petroconsultants Group). BT shall not be liable for use of any part of it. |