Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

GREAT GAINS FOR GOLDING

by Susan Preston Davis on 26 Jan 2001
Mike Golding continues in his chase for Josh Hall in 8th place - according
to the official position reports he has clocked 341 miles in last 24 hours,
gaining 172 miles on Hall's lead. Golding is now just 203 miles behind
Hall and 921 miles astern of Catherine Chabaud in 7th - Chabaud is
currently doing just 6.5 knots to Golding's 12 knots. This morning
Golding spoke to Race Headquarters in Paris and the following is a
transcript of his radio 'chat' with thanks to www.vendeeglobe.com:-

'I'm fine, just taking another reef in! I've been steadily headed all night
and just now I'm 10 - 15 degrees off the course required. I'm allowing the
boat to make some speed because I don't want to grind her up too much. I'm
struggling upwind and keep looking at the keel and rudders as the boat
feels slow, thinking I've caught something, but it's just that I'm in the
Atlantic in an adverse current of 1 and a half knot or more. Looking at the
GPS data in comparison to the actual boat speed is peculiar. The wind is
stable, slowly building. There's a bright sun, blue sky, but it's strange
after being used to going downhill for a month.'

When asked about how it feels to be living on a boat now constantly heeled
over: 'It's horrible! At least it's warmer, I've shed one layer of clothing
but I'm not out of my thermals yet. One improvement is that I can sleep
with just the Velcro hatch cover open now to air out the boat properly.'

'The boat is fine. The batten at the top of the Kevlar trinquette
(Staysail) broke - it's full length so it's easy to break - I had a spare,
which I'd already used so I've had to cut it slightly so it will fit into
the top pocket of the Kevlar sail. I've still got a bit more work to do on
the pocket but the Kevlar is doing fine.'

Related Articles

Gold star for Wilson's National 18 at the Birkett
230 boats do battle in a range of conditions on Ullswater It took an Olympic gold medallist to help win this year's edition of the northern classic handicap race in the Lake District, the 63rd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Magic Marine.
Posted today at 7:53 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Four preview
The pinnacle of grass roots sailing has 97 entries The very largest yachts, including the 100ft Ultim foiling trimarans and 60ft IMOCAs are an essential part of the spectacle of the Fastnet Race, however a critical element in the race's enduring appeal is that this is predominately a grass roots event.
Posted today at 7:36 pm
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue.
Posted today at 6:44 pm
ILCAs at Notts County
With complementary watermelon for after-racing hydration A lovely warm and sunny day greeted 26 ILCA sailors at Notts County Sailing Club on 12th of July 2025. The wind was from a steady light south east breeze with occasional 14 mph gusts.
Posted today at 6:09 pm
NYYC International Women's Championship update
Third group of skippers includes Nicole Breault, Dominique Proyoveur, Laura van Veen While there is no nationality requirement for the crews that will compete in the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship, a number of teams are embracing the opportunity to wave their respective national flags at the debut edition.
Posted today at 5:42 pm
The Sardinia Cup set to return in 2026
The competition will make its long-awaited return to the waters of the Costa Smeralda The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is pleased to announce the return of the Sardinia Cup, one of the Club's most iconic regattas and a renowned international sailing event.
Posted today at 3:39 pm
KSSA Mid Season Training Camp & Regatta at Downs
Testing conditions and top talent in Kent Downs Sailing Club, nestled on the exposed coastline of Deal, Kent, delivered a weekend of demanding conditions, standout performances, and high-energy racing as it hosted the latest round of the Kent Schools Sailing Association Mid-Summer Regatta.
Posted today at 3:31 pm
OK Nationals at Dabchicks day 3
Efficient use of WhatsApp ensures fleet are aware of the change to SIs The third day of the OK National Championships was kindly sponsored by Ovington Boats, who are the headline sponsors for our 2026 Nationals, to be held at Tynemouth Sailing Club from 4 to 7 September 2026.
Posted today at 3:25 pm
RORC Cowes Dinard St Malo Race concludes
Farr 100 Leopard 3, skippered by Joost Schuijf, completed a remarkable hat-trick Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in association with the UNCL, Yacht Club de Dinard, Société Nautique de la Baie de St Malo, JOG and the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Posted today at 2:56 pm
RS300 Inlands at Whitefriars
16 boats start in light fickle conditions with massive shifts Whitefriars SC was host to a fantastic RS300 open on the hottest weekend of the year which began with some training on Friday followed by beers and a barbeque and then two days of racing.
Posted today at 2:41 pm