A REPORT FROM THE RACE LEADER
14th February 2003

It’s getting interesting at the front of the fleet. Bernard Stamm is smoking along at 15.5 knots having just done a days run of 373 miles. The only boat in the fleet sailing faster than Bobst Group Armor lux is Simone Bianchetti on Tiscali. At last poll Tiscali was pinged at 18.06 knots and has moved up into third place, a scant 10 miles ahead of Graham Dalton on Hexagon. In second place Thierry Dubois on Solidaires is finding the pressure a bit much. He took the scissors to his hair in the hope that a new streamlined look will give him the edge he needs to get by Bobst Group Armor lux. He may get his wish as Stamm’s log reveals. "Three days ago, I decided to head down to pick up some wind in the south," he wrote. "Initially, it was a wise choice, but I think I’m going to have to come back up, and in so doing, I’ll lose the ground I’ve gained."

The reason for Bernard’s change of heart (he is the furthest south of all the boats) stems from a warning sent out by Frenchman Olivier de Kersauson currently circumnavigating the world on his mega-trimaran Geronimo. De Kersauson is sailing on the same route as Stamm and is further ahead of the Swiss skipper. His warning issued today was simple and to the point. "There are many growlers in position Lat 51 43S Long 147 26W. Yesterday at 12:30 GMT Bobst Group Armor Lux was 100 miles north of that position heading right for the ice. It’s only prudent for Bernard to change course, especially seeing it’s pitch black in the Southern Ocean at the moment. "I can’t understand any better than Olivier de Kersauson how there can be lumps of ice up there. I haven’t got his experience or perspective, but I know full well that it’s very annoying," wrote Stamm and then continued. "I’d drawn up my course according to the compulsory marker points (55°S), and the ice is right in my path. I’m going to have to come back up. The others stayed well to the north, so they are going to overtake me. I’m furious about that!"

With his radar keeping an eye out Bobst Group Armor Lux is sailing along at 20 knots with the small gennaker and the mainsail with 25 to 30 knot blowing from behind. "The radar can see for 24 miles, which gives me plenty of time to react to anything on the surface," Bernard’s log continued. "Unfortunately, whatever is in the water cannot be seen. So it’s really a game of Russian roulette. It’s nighttime, which isn’t the ideal situation to be in. I’m going to continue on my course tonight and I’ll see what happens when it gets light. For the moment, I’m not yet in the zone, where the iceberg was spotted." To add to Bernard’s woes he is suffering from a bout of tonsilitis. "I’ve got what’s needed for injuries or wounds, but nothing really for this type of thing. Normally, when you’re at sea, you don’t get sick, as there aren’t any bugs out here."

The first four boats in the race are only 75 miles apart, which considering the scale of the course for this leg is hardly anything. Stamm’s log continues. "It’s good. For once we’re fighting it out alongside each other. It’s only the speed of the boats, which separates us. There’s very little else to do, apart from heading off south as I did, which isn’t going to give me much in the end. The boats are very fast, especially Tiscali and Hexagon, while Solidaires is hanging on in there, so it’s very interesting."

We will keep you posted as Bernard and the others make their way through this treacherous part of the world. It’s tense sailing and Bernard is quite correct when he describes it as a game of Russian Roulette. Many thanks to Stamm team for translating his log and thanks to Bernard for the insight.

--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net

Source: Around Alone Official Site