Fast start for Ellen in solo round the world record attempt
by Team Ellen 28 Nov 2004 18:38 GMT
Ellen MacArthur on B&Q sets off round the world single handed from Ouessant in front of the Creac'h lighthouse © Jacques Vapillon / DPPI
Crossing the line at a speed of 27 knots in 30 knots of NW breeze made for fast sailing conditions in the first few hours of the record attempt putting Ellen ahead of Francis Joyon's record in the very early stages of this record attempt. B&Q has averaged well over the 15.38 knots of speed required to break the record but there is no doubt that these conditions will not last as Ellen heads south to the lighter winds forecast south west of the Canary Islands. Ellen will be hoping to find well-established Trade Wind conditions but light winds will, undoubtedly, reverse this record-breaking pace.
It proved to be an emotional and tiring pre-start night for Ellen as expected. Her shore team stayed on board B&Q until 2200 GMT running through the final system checks allowing Ellen to get one and a half hours of sleep. Emotions ran high as the shore team jumped aboard the support boat...Ellen's last human contact for the next two and a half months. Earlier in the evening a pod of dolphins - a good sign! - surrounded B&Q lifting the team's spirits. Then Ellen was on her own, heading across the channel towards the start area off Ushant.
SHORT PHONECALL FROM ELLEN AFTER START:
"We on our way, crossed line 08:10:44 deadline to finish 07:04:06.
Relief to be over the line, relief to be going, I was so nervous and very emotional even just seeing the guys in the helicopters above this morning...
Crossed line doing 27 knots, pretty quick! Averaging around 20 knots boat speed, that will do, thank you very much!! We're on our way, just get on with now. Very rough at the start, images should be spectacular, couple of big waves - when people see these images they are going to be wondering what the hell I am doing out here!
We are okay and boat is good, speak later..."
MESSAGE FROM FRANCIS JOYON: (Current record holder)
I wish Ellen good luck for this big adventure. May the conditions be favourable to her on this course so wonderful but also so difficult.
I will follow her with a lot of interest like a lot of people who will be
passionned for this new adventure of Ellen.
Good luck to you, Francis
WEATHER ANALYSIS BY COMMANDERS' WEATHER:
Go to www.teamellen.com for full weather analysis from Commanders'
No major changes - winds set to veer NNE then ease between now and about 46N. Winds will veer faster and diminish quicker south of 46N - want to hit 45-46N and 10-11W and then gybe heading for 40N / 15-16W.
Want to slingshot southward along west side of the low which is near 36N / 19-20W moving to 33-34N / 16-17W by 1200UTC Monday then 33N/11-12W by 1200UTC Tuesday and then accelerate to Spain.