Fleet zig zags down the East Coast

Update: Fleet looks set to divide again

27 Apr 2003 14:14 GMT After a brief spell of second place glory for the Daily Telegraph, they’re back down to fourth as the yachts bunch up, once again, in a nail-biting race where anything could happen.

The split in the fleet seen earlier today produced wind for both camps, the fleet now tearing down along the Scottish Coastline. However, tactics again look divided as Spirit of Southampton takes more of an Easterly Route, chased hot on the heels by The Daily Telegraph whereas the rest of the fleet look like they’re heading further out.

So, keep watching because this could all change as they find their winds. Spirit of Southampton and The Daily Telegraph had it right last time, capturing the top spots, but can they maintain the momentum and have they got it right again?

This is yacht racing at its very best!

On day 9 of racing Spirit of Southampton is still the lead yacht but the fleet has now split enabling The Daily Telegraph to storm into second place, demonstrating, once again, that a podium place is still up for grabs for any of the yachts as the fleet now starts the precarious assault course of sand banks and oil rigs of the North Sea.

The rest of the fleet has tacked closer inshore, hugging the coastline of Scotland, as both groups play the wind game with an obvious difference of opinion.

The winds are around Force 5, fluctuating between South and South West, which will make for an incredibly exciting 24 hours and undoubtedly changes once again in the leader board. Can Southampton still hang onto first or will The Daily Telegraph, the bold new contender, take the lead?

The fleet has once again compressed with the middle of the fleet now consisting of third placed Logica CMG and their familiar shadow BG Group, fourth and just 1 mile behind. Basilica is in fifth place but the battle for sixth place is now on between Spirit of Hong Kong and Vail Williams – both neck and neck, having taken exactly the same course. Team Spirit is back in last place although has made up considerable miles to the leader in the last 24 hours.

The fleet will now start to thaw out after their experiences of Muckle Flugga, which saw them battle with biting winds and freezing conditions. Mark Taylor how, “Despite the discomfort the crew were awe inspired by the power and beauty of the seas.”

However as the yachts battle it out we’ll leave you with Spirit of Hong Kong’s take on the conditions of Muckle Flugga.

“Spirit of Hong Kong can maybe sum up far better what it was like out there: I thought that it may be helpful, to you the reader, to better understand what we Crew Volunteers are going through as you sit at your computer screen.

“In order to complete the experiment, you will need some apparatus,
namely:
1. An accomplice
2. A bath full of water chilled to 12 degrees Celsius
3. Four five pound bags of frozen peas (carrots or similar will do)
4. A roll of gaffa tape
5. Your gym kit, from last month, rescued from the laundry basket,
unwashed.

“Begin by dressing in the gym kit and sitting in the bath until thoroughly chilled.

“Tape the frozen bags of peas to hands and feet.

“Next, remove varying lengths of table leg from the desk at which your computer is situated so that however you try and balance it, your computer is never stable. (a highly polished table will help).

“This is where your accomplice comes in. Ask them to try their hardest to tip you off your chair by violently tugging it away from you. They should also barge into you at every given opportunity to try and induce bruising. (A top tip for this could be to tell them that you have eaten all that was left of their Easter eggs, how much you enjoyed them and, given half a chance, will do the same again next year.)

“Open all windows and doors in the house to create as drafty an environment as possible and, if you have one, utilise a hose pipe to spray all within your immediate environment. This should be done continually.

“Once again, your accomplice can be used for maximum effect.

“Regular cold drinks of saline should be taken, no less than a half litre every hour, and sleep is forbidden without deafening crashes, bangs, screams of anger and frustration and again continual attempts by your accomplice to induce bruising.

“Oh, yes. Remember to do fifty press ups as quickly as you can, every twenty minutes and vigorously rub fine grade sand paper over the palms of your hands. (Wet and dry paper will work just as well)

“Now you can begin to imagine life on the rail of a challenge yacht, let's talk about using the heads (toilets – Ed)........

“All of us aboard Spirit of Hong Kong are determined to get more out of life than a walk in the park, usually that means discomfort and hardship, none of us would change a thing, even though life would be easier all round if we were tucked up in bed with somebody warm.

“Join us for a beer in Southampton when we get back if you are able, for the full unedited version.”

The gauntlet has been thrown!

Editorial Team - www.roundbritainchallenge.com