Rough night for Golding

by Susan Preston Davis on 25 Jan 2001 ROUGH NIGHT FOR GOLDING


Mike Golding reported today that, after the frustration of light airs,
last night was one of the worst nights of the whole race for him. In a
call to his shore team he told of a very rough time with some 45 knots of
wind - so not enormous winds - but with huge and unpredictable seas -
'waves coming in all directions'. He commented 'I've never known an Open
60 to be pooped before' ('pooped' means that waves, unusually, break over
the stern of the boat). He considers himself fortunate to have suffered
only a broken batten and a flooded cockpit during the night - the Velcro
covers over the hatch held firm saving him from a soaked interior!

This morning the weather has calmed somewhat and allowed Golding to shake
out the third reef in his mainsail so that he is now reaching at an average
of 14 knots with 2 reefs and the staysail set. Golding has managed to
catch up on some badly needed sleep and is feeling good. Team Group 4 is
in good shape and Golding is looking to pick up miles fast in the next few
days.

Contact:
MPR - Susan Preston Davis/Susan McKeag
Tel: +44 1489 789111
Fax: + 44 1489 780222
Email: waterforduk@compuserve.com

www.teamgroup4.com