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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - ALL CHANGE AS THE FLEET HITS THE DOLDRUMS Southampton (UK) 23rd May 1997 Group 4, still leading the BT Global Challenge fleet, is currently heading due north and with a boat speed of 3.9 knots is in the doldrums. Courtaulds International has made good use of what wind there is gaining two places and 44 miles on the race leader until 07:50 GMT this morning when her main kite wrapped itself around the forestay and split in two. Crew volunteer Colin Moss reports: "Whilst this has not slowed down our progress towards the doldrums it has meant additional work below decks, where there is little respite from the heat and humidity". Toshiba Wave Warrior, one of the most northerly yachts in the BT Global Challenge has fallen back to 11th position from 6th in the last 24hrs, hit by the light and changeable winds of the doldrums. Ciara Scott describes Toshiba Wave Warrior's position: "well it's official, we're in the doldrums. We spotted doldrum clouds yesterday and last night we witnessed true doldrum conditions, serious shifts in wind direction, squalls and frustrating dying wind speeds. On the upside, we are still moving. Being the 2nd most northerly yacht, we were expecting to hit the doldrums before the bulk of the fleet and fall down the rankings. There has been much concern amongst the crew as to how badly a north easterly position, relative to the fleet, would affect us so there is almost a sense of relief on board this morning as we are finally in the doldrums and moving slowly but surely towards "north exit". Whereas at previous times we have made efforts to make some westing towards the fleet, we are now making as much northing as we can in an attempt to cross the doldrum latitudes in the shortest possible time. The forecast for the far side of the doldrums looks reasonably favourable, so hopefully we will reclaim some good mileage on the fleet as we leave the doldrums and the rest of the fleet move north into them". The crew of Nuclear Electric were celebrating as they crossed the Equator. The yacht has been making good progress through the fleet, gaining three places and recording one of the highest runs of the day . Simon Montague writes: "It's been a day of triple celebrations on Nuclear Electric, making Thursday 22nd of May one of the most memorable dates of the entire race. At 0240hrs GMT we crossed the Equator, celebrating under the full moon with a couple of bottles of champagne and toasting ourselves and the two hemispheres, after 216 days below the Equator. We achieved our second milestone of the day reaching a distance of 3400 miles to the finish, the notional halfway mark between Cape Town and Boston. All this is overshadowed the third and perhaps the most significant moment for the majority of the crew, when we became circumnavigators at 1225 GMT, as we crossed over our outbound track to Rio laid on 18 October last year." Ocean Rover also blew her kite as the ever changing winds caused the sail to snap out and split. Conditions down below where too dire so the repairs were carried out on deck in a record breaking 13 hours. Dropping a position, Save the Children crew volunteer Paul Sherwood explains: " The wind gradually eased off this morning and the clouds above no longer bore relevance to the wind conditions at sea level. The spinnaker hangs in the rigging like a convicted man from the gallows and what would usually be an active trimming crew now sit motionless at the winches. The wind instruments will not settle so it makes decisions on course changes very difficult, and once we gibe or tack the wind will guarantee to swing back giving us a losing heading. Race tactics can now be thrown out of the window, it is really too late now we are here. We have made our decision and are now well and truly committed. Sure we will watch our competitors gain miles on us, but when we finally pop through the other side, chances are we will watch them slip behind us, as they sit in the grasp of the Dollies". On board Motorola, the yacht which adopted different race tactics to the rest of the fleet, the crews are now feeling more reassured: "We shall see if our tactics pay off, unfortunately Mike (Golding) seems to have the same one, surprise, surprise" reports Motorola skipper Mark Lodge. 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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