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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - FLEET HITS FOG Southampton (UK), Tuesday 15th July 1997 "Well here we are just off Plymouth shrouded in fog," writes leader Group 4 as she races her final 120 miles up the English Channel. Forty one miles behind her in third place Concert reported this morning, "At present we have grey foggy conditions, we believe that we can see one mile at the moment." Whilst Commercial Union is concerned that she "might have problems seeing the finish line in all this fog." Fortunately for the fleet, the sun has broken through in Southampton, and sponsors, friends and families are now anticipating the yachts' earlier arrival times. Westerly winds of up to 30 knots have increased the yachts' average boat speed overnight, bringing their predicted arrival times forward by as much as twelve hours. Race leader Group 4 is currently expected to cross the finish line around midnight tonight. After experiencing every condition possible during her 30,000 mile race around the world, the crew were surprised to have to deal with "a horrendous time" just short of Bishop's Rock last night. Perhaps the crew relaxed too soon once they entered 'home waters' , but they were soon back on their toes again after the following series of mishaps: "We were heading towards Bishop's Rock, flying the kite in 23 knots of breeze, when we had a brief encounter with a tanker that emerged from the got within half a mile of us. At the same time the wind started gusting up to 29 knots, and as the apparent wind reached 22 knots, we knew that we were riding on the edge of a blow out. As we brought it down, we noticed a tear in the clew patch and one in the head, which required an urgent repair. With the wind still gusting, the flanker was hoisted but unfortunately it was the wrong side of the staysail halyard and of course it filled before it got to the top of the mast! Unable to free the halyard, there was no alternative but to spike it at the fitting on the deck and let it run away...the flanker was finally made good and then of course someone had to venture up to the top of the mast to rescue the halyard. 'Pretty damn average that was, how many more times do we need to go around the world to get it right?!' barked skipper Mike Golding." That wasn't the end of it for Group 4; "We then noticed that a shackle had come free - which caused the flanker to drop 10 feet, and was placing all its weight on the spectacle guide. This then broke from the mast, and after falling a further three feet, the weight transferred to the halyard exit at the top of the mast. We were forced to drop the kite. The repaired heavy weight was then hoisted from the other halyard - but oh no - there was a twist in it! It then decided to wrap itself around the forestay and blew out. Timon Robson was soon up the forestay trying to unwrap it, but in trying got himself entwined and became cocooned 30ft above the deck. Being ineffective in his efforts, the remains of the spinnaker were slowly pulled down the forestay bit by bit, before skipper Mike finally took the bread knife to it and cut the remnants free. Timon then scurried to the top of the mast to find out whether there was any further damage, and at the same time replaced the D shackle and re-rove the port halyard. Another circumnavigation is obviously required to get it right....we are finally sailing again!" writes Team Group 4. Despite an hour and a half's worth of problems, Group 4 has still managed to remain 23 miles ahead of second placed Toshiba Wave Warrior. She too has had problems with her race spinnaker, and the repair team spent 14 hours yesterday repairing it to ensure that it was available incase the wind dropped. She is due to arrive in nearly three hours after Group 4. Commercial Union has continued to put pressure on Save the Children over the last 24 hours. She has succeeded in making five miles on her and now lies just three miles behind which promises to be an exciting race to the finish line with some 200 miles to go. "Excellent sailing yesterday when we started pulling miles back on Save the Children who must have felt the pressure as they blew their heavy spinnnaker and had to resort to pole out their headsails, although they were given a repreive when the wind dropped shortly afterwards," reports Commercial Union crew member Nick Auger. Save the Children skipper Andy Hindley will be hoping to stay ahead of her to help celebrate his birthday in style today. Meanwhile tension has been growing for the middle of the fleet as the battle for position intensifies. 3Com overtook Nuclear Electric this morning, moving into 6th place, which Nuclear Electric thinks is due to her keeping her heavy spinnaker up longer in conditions gusting up to 28 knots. "We hope to pass them again shortly," claims crew member Simon Montague. Nuclear Electric will also have to keep an eye on Global Teamwork who has rapidly been climbing up the chart, and is currently lying in eighth place. Global Teamwork currently holds the fastest 24 hour run of 247 miles which she achieved yesterday. Nearer the rear of the fleet, Courtaulds International and Motorola are lying neck and neck with 267 miles to the finish, whilst back marker Time and Tide is a further 87 miles behind, with an estimated arrival time of the early hours of Thursday morning. 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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