Jean-Pierre-Dick now in lead
Vendee Globe non-stop, solo, round-the-world-race sailor Jean-Pierre Dick in the Open 60 Paprec-Virbac is establishing himself as the fleet leader. All the competititors are preparing for a bigger storm which should challenge them with winds in excess of 40 knots.
While he doubled his overnight lead last night – despite having to back up several times to clear weed off his rudder and keel – Dick’s gain on Golding is of the order
of 10 miles. For Michel Desjoyeaux, who started nearly two days late
after returning to fix a water ballast system leak and faulty engine, the
question now is whether he will change his way of sailing.
Said Desjoyeaux,”It’s true that I’ve pushed the boat harder than the others.
What’s changed in my way of sailing now? What’s changed in my way of sailing is
that it’s cold (laughs). Right now, it’s 8°C, but last night it was 3°C. You’re
dressed in four layers on top and three bottom layers? You put your gloves down
below and you take them off when you have to go up top to manoeuvre. The water
last night was at 4.7°C? The first thing you do once you’ve completed
maneuvering with soaked sheets is to immediately dry your hands so as you don’t
get cold. Just 3 or 4 degrees difference between day and night and it’s
incredible how the body reacts. You can feel it immediately! I am even compelled
to rinse my jackets so they dry quicker, because they’re so caked in salt?”
On Friday, in mid-afternoon, Dominique Wavre of Temenos II reported that the
keel head broke and was now freely swinging under the boat. Wavre is now at the
Kerguelen Islands to try and fix the keel in place temporarily in order to head
for Australia.
On Saturday, Bernard Stamm reported that his rudder bearings around the gudgeon
attachment have worn away. Stamm is also at the Kerguelens to seek a temporary
solution.
1. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), Paprec-Virbac 2, 14330.9 nm Distance to finish
2. Mike Golding (GBR), Ecover, 78.6 nm Distance to leader
3. Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), Foncia, 109.3 DTL
4. Roland Jourdain (FRA), Veolia Environnement, 110.6 nm DTL
5. Sébastien Josse (FRA), BT, 165.6 nm DTL
11. Samantha Davies (GBR), Roxy, 835.5 nm DTL
14. Dee Caffari (GBR), Aviva, 1159.9 nm DTL
20. Rich Wilson (USA), Great American III, 2054.2 nm DTL
21. Derek Hatfield (CAN), Algimouss Spirit of Canada, 2473.9 nm DTL