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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - YACHTS DECIDE TACTICS FOR THE DOLDRUMS Southampton (UK), Monday 19th May 1997 530 miles separate the BT Global Challenge fleet east and west as all the yachts decide tactics for crossing the Doldrums. As the temperature rises and the equator approaches the mood lifts on the yachts as all the yachtsmen have their circumnavigation and Boston in their sights. Motorola's decision to adopt a westerly course seems to have been followed by the majority of the fleet. However Commercial Union, Toshiba Wave Warrior and Pause to Remember are all chancing their luck on an easterly course. Group 4 is still out in the lead with a 24 hr run of 222 miles and she has altered course westwards. Commercial Union, Group 4's closest contender is only 25 miles behind them, though 223 miles to the east. As Richard Merriweather of Commercial Union says "The heat is on, and I'm not talking about the weather. To say we are keen to overtake Group 4 again would be an understatement. Our strategy is to get through the Doldrums first to pick up the north east trade winds on the other side before the others out to the west. We know we are likely to lose the breeze first but hope that we are far enough west to have enough breeze to keep moving through the Doldrums. This is very demanding sailing - always trying to respond to the wind shifts and be on the right gybe often has us gybing four or five times a watch". In hot pursuit is Toshiba Wave Warrior, hoping a similar tactic will leave her having the last laugh. Ciara Scott sums up the mood aboard Toshiba Wave Warrior: "Yesterday saw us take a big hit position wise, losing 21 miles to Group 4 in as many hours and falling to 5th place. We were expecting to loose some miles as we had stayed on one gybe for most of the day in order to make some westing, and this wasn't always favoured. It is still pretty demoralising to fall even further behind the leaders, but hopefully this is a short term loss and the extra westing gained will pay dividends in the longer term." As the middle of the fleet shifts positions in close racing they are looking to the leading yachts for guidance. Slightly further forward Courtaulds International is working hard to improve her position. Crewman Richard Rowe explains " It is not all plain sailing with inside peels and outside peels, gybe and gybe back in the now incessant heat, requiring high concentration and a coordinated team effort. With less than 400 miles to the equator, we finalise our tactics for pushing through the Doldrums". Schools and other youth organisations can experience the excitement of the race via the BT Global Challenge Club, which they can join through the BT Global Challenge web site at http://www.btchallenge.com 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 only) |
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