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Vendee Globe - 2005 Off To A Cracking Start

Happy New Year 2005
Not all the sailors were celebrating the New Year last night. Headwinds, storms, calms, each one had a very different experience for the New Year. Battered by 60-knot winds, Sébastien Josse (VMI) limited himself to five lollipops as a meal. In front, Jean Le Cam (Bonduelle) offered himself some stuffed quail and a mixture of vegetables.

The Horn on Monday morning
The southern seas are coming to an end for the three leaders, who should round the Horn on Monday. 24 hours currently separate Jean Le Cam, in the lead now for 12 days, from Mike Golding (Ecover), 3rd 309.5 miles behind. Between the two, Vincent Riou (PRB) is hanging on well, and is also happy to be able to indicate he is turning left soon to tackle the climb up the Atlantic. A little luckier with the weather, Jean Le Cam crossed the Pacific on one tack on an almost perfect straight line, while the two chasing after him had to work hard on the manoeuvres and bearings to avoid losing ground. The race up to Les Sables d’Olonne looks very exciting.

A 2-speed race
More than an ocean separates the leader, Jean Le Cam, from the tail-ender, Karen Leibovici (Benefic). The 5,281.6 miles, which separate them, represents the distance between Paris and Hong-Kong. That helps explain why they are sailing in such different weather systems. In the Pacific, the six frontrunners are taking advantage of a huge low to scoot along towards Cape Horn. Behind them, Nick Moloney (Skandia), Joé Seeten (Arcelor Dunkerque) and Bruce Schwab (Ocean Planet) have been forced by the weather to go a long way north, as they enter the Pacific. This means they are extending their voyage. The skipper from Dunkirk ended the year tacking at 120° in 45-knot headwinds. The only advantage of these northern routes is that these three are not likely to encounter icebergs. 500 miles further south, Conrad Humphreys (Hellomoto) and Benoît Parnaudeau (Max Havelaar-Best Western) have also just entered the Pacific, but upwind. They have a greater risk of meeting some ice, as they are on more or less the same course as the six at the front.

Golding impatient
The British yachtsman Mike Golding (Ecover) cannot hide his impatience to tackle the climb back up the Atlantic. Aware that he has a very efficient boat upwind, Mike is looking forward to the conditions that await the three leaders on the other side of the Horn. In his opinion, Jean Le Cam is going to have to start tacking after the tip of South America, which should slow down the leader and reduce his lead, as Jean will be slowed before those coming up behind. Then, it will all be down to a game of strategy with different routes possible for the South Atlantic climb. Mike and Vincent could then go on the attack, and try options, while Jean will be forced to choose between a middle route or a way to keep one of his opponents in check.

Quotes :
Jean Le Cam (Bonduelle): “It’s amazing! I’ve been on the same tack now for 2500 miles. For a long time I was ahead of a stable system, which is luck the others didn’t have. For the New Year, I ate some stuffed quail with mixed veg. The other encouraging thing is that after 55 days of racing, the boat is getting lighter with all the food and fuel disappearing. You can really feel a difference in her handling. I’m sailing downwind in a 35-knot wind, which is great for me. I lowered the mainsail at 30 knots. I checked everything, the battens, the travellers, the halyards... to be ready to tackle the Atlantic.”
Mike Golding (Ecover): “What do I wish for the New Year? Success back in Les Sables d’Olonne ! (laughs). I wasn’t expecting to gain back the ground in this part of the race. After the Horn, things are going to be very different. Jean has been very lucky. He hasn’t had to gybe once since we went downwind. For Vincent (Riou) and myself, we didn’t have the possibility of continuing without gybing. The last bit of land I saw was the Cape Verde Islands, so I can’t wait to see the Horn. It’s a very symbolic place, which I hope to get close to, but not too close, as the wind will be coming from the north.”
Sébastien Josse (VMI): “No party for Jojo! A battering! But what a sight! An average of 48 knots, gusting to 60 and above… I didn’t want to do anything silly. Just had to weather it out with the sail lowered. Now it’s over. There’s sunshine behind the front. It was the strongest storm I’ve been through since the start, with one major difference however, the sea in the Pacific is cleaner than in the Indian. The boat goes surfing and glides along by itself. It doesn’t get tossed around like in the Indian. I can’t wait for the Horn. It’s going to be a real relief. Having said that, I’m in great form. I had a party with five lollipops. I set off with a box of 200. I’ve only got 50 left. I’m going to have to ration myself. (Laughs)”
Nick Moloney (Skandia): “I can’t do anything other than stay up to the north. There’s no wind to take me down. The wind should come back from the north. I took advantage to climb the mast and fix the weather vane. I managed it, not without a few bruises during the climb. I hope to get some wind and set off again in some good conditions in the next few days.”
Joé Seeten (Arcelor-Dunkerque): “I haven’t had much luck since Australia as far as the weather is concerned. Yesterday morning, I still had 45 knots and was tacking at 110° to the route. The sea was very dangerous. It’s better now. I could go faster if I still had my solent… I’m impressed by the pace set by the leaders. They will be getting us to the Horn 13 days early!”
Benoit Parnaudeau (Max Havelaar-Best Western): “I’ve been becalmed a few times, and now it’s quite violent and I’m being tossed around. I’m upwind, which I was hoping to avoid. The high is moving quickly. My original idea was to go to the south of the Macquarie Islands to gain some ground by getting on the direct route. But I couldn’t get through. The wind should be more favourable after the islands. I’m getting ready for the iceberg zone, permanent watch and radar on. It’s beginning to get cold.”

Source : Vendée Globe 2004