Monnet Update - Yet more difficulties
by Windreport 27 May 2000 09:40 BST
No respite !
Yet more difficulties for Philippe Monnet on his wrong way round circumnavigation. Two weeks from the finish, the skipper of UUNET has once again come up against very difficult conditions and still can’t sail a direct route. "I’m heading more for Bermuda", he said ironically. Last position at 09.45 GMT : 14°32’ N - 24°21’ W
40-knot gusts
If it wasn’t for the flying fish and the 25°C spray, one could imagine that Philippe Monnet might as well be back in the Southern Ocean ! Winds gusting to 40 knots, overcast sky and breaking seas… "It’s rather rare in this region," he explained. "Moreover it is very irregular and whipping up a nasty sea".
"I’m heading for Bermuda"
Currently 10 miles off the island of Fogo (to the south-west of the Cape Verde Islands), the skipper has been forced to divert from his direct route : "Brest is no longer in line with my bow. For the time being I’m heading more for Bermuda !" And unfortunately according to him it is not going to improve : "I’ve got another 2 or 3 days bad weather, and I’ve resigned myself to encountering lots more difficulties right up to the finish".
Just one watchword : caution
Philippe prefers not to think about the finish : "I’ve still got half a hemisphere to go and what matters most to me is not breaking". The sailor is in fact worried about his running backstay (a cable that fixes the mast to the stern) : I’m on starboard tack, therefore on the bad side. I haven’t yet been to have a look at the state of the runner because the deck is awash with waves, but at the first lull I’ll go and have a close look".
Same caution about his lead over Mike Golding : "I’m no longer counting whether I’ve gained or lost half a day. I’ve covered 211 miles (390 km) in 24 hours, so in theory I’m going faster than he but as I’m not heading in the right direction, it’s a draw for the moment !
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