Vendee Globe...Golding sets out to catch Catherine Chabaud

by Susan Preston Davis on 5 Feb 2001 WATCH OUT CATHERINE!

Mike Golding made his last tack in the Southern Hemisphere last night and
reported to his Shore Team this morning that he was 'very tired'.

Last night Team Group 4, which is 8th position in the Vendee Globe fleet,
was sailing in light airs and Golding was constantly moving sails to try to
gain speed, hence his lack of sleep, but he is very happy to have collected
plenty of rainwater and that his pilots now seem to be functioning
normally.

This morning Golding reported that Team Group 4 is now on starboard tack,
sailing in south east trade winds at about 9.5 knots, just West of North,
with about 1000 miles to go to the Equator.

Ahead of Golding, in 7th position is Catherine Chabaud on Whirlpool.
Golding is East of Chabaud and believes he has a good chance of catching
her. To overtake one of France's top singlehanded sailors would be a great
achievement for Golding who was forced to restart the Vendee Globe race
more than 8 days later than the main fleet, after Team Group 4 was
dismasted on the first night of the race.