Fleet converge outside Thames Estuary

Spirit of Southampton retains her slim lead
29 Apr 2003 14:50 GMT
Update at 20.30

The fleet have converged off the Thames estuary as the favourable tide aids their progress south.

It still seems incredible that after almost 1,700 miles of racing only 20 miles separates the first five yachts.

We can only imagine the intense concentration, dedication and commitment on board each yacht as every member of crew considers how their personal contribution can improve boat speed, moral and their chances of glory.

But time is running out. As followers on the website, you are privleaged to watch the race unfold several times at day - onboard the yachts, the positions are only shared twice a day during the radio chat-shows....and it between these chat shows on the VHF radios that yachts tend to make their "tactical moves".

As this evening chat show approaches, which yachts are plotting their moves?

But with their radars on and binoculars on deck studying the navigation lights of the competitors, it is going to be difficult.

If you thought it was exciting so far...wait for the next 24 hours

Update at 17.30

The foul tide is frustrating the efforts of the fleet as they head south towards Dover. According to the latest poll, Spirit of Southampton has made little to no progress over the past 90 minutes but neither have any of the other yachts

The fleet has been sailing into a foul tide of up to 2 knots from midday today but will now have a fair tide for the next five hours as it turns south to help them on their way.

The tide runs hardest in the west putting the Daily Telegraph and Spirit of Hong Kong in strategically the most advantageous position.

The localised wind conditions seem to be markedly different from the forecast which is predicts around a force 5 - however the speed of the yachts is not reflecting this.

This is a tense time for those on-board - the mental re-adjustment of putting back your predicted arrival time can be difficult for many. The first yacht home is now estimated to cross the finish line during the darkness of tomorrow night. However as can be seen from this afternoon - conditions are fickle

The poll that we will be publishing later this evening (around 0930pm) should shed further light on progress.

From this afternoon
We choked over our first cup of coffee this morning as we learnt of the dramatic changes in the race positions. Since then, the caffeine has been the only thing that has kept us going until this latest “race viewer fix” which reveals further drama in the event.

The first five yachts are spread over just 22 miles (about 3 to 4 hours) and with around two hundred miles to go it is anyone’s race. It looks like the wind has dropped as boat speeds have reduced increasing the opportunity for gains (and losses!)

Spirit of Southampton retains her slim lead over LogicaCMG and the Daily Telegraph - all of them heading west. From the positions report, BG Group is the furthest east and looking out of position but perhaps aiming to pick up favourable wind or tide over the next few hours.

“This race has showed the clear advantage of one design racing” said Sir Chay Blyth this afternoon having studied the latest results. This same point in the course was decisive in Sir Chay Blyth’s victory in the two handed Round Britain and Ireland Race twenty-five years ago.

“Phil Weld was leading but the wind dropped at Dover straits and we had to anchor off Calais. When the wind filled it, it was us who got the more favourable breeze” explained Sir Chay eventually taking honours in Plymouth.

The last day or so will test the skippers and their crews in the extreme as the pressure mounts and the course becomes a maze of tidal gates, headlands and headwinds. It is also the last opportunity for Spirit of Hong Kong, Vail Williams and Team Spirit to make their bid for a podium finish could continue to make gains on the leaders with last placed Team Spirit only 55 miles from the front

Chay’s mantra of “trim, trim, trim” could not be more appropriate as we approach the final stages of the fantastic event.

There will be a further update on the race viewer this afternoon.

The first yacht home is currently predicted to cross the finish line tomorrow evening, the last yacht Thursday morning.

Editorial Team - www.roundbritainchallenge.com