Vendée Globe 2012-2013 - Day 8

by Vendée Globe Media 17 Nov 2012 07:42 GMT 17 November 2012

Sansó back in the race

Bernard Stamm moves into second as the lead pack play yo-yo

Javier Sansó (Acciona 100% EcoPowered) was making 13 knots this morning and leaving the shelter of the Canary Islands and therefore seems likely to have successfully recovered his main halyard and hoisted his mainsail. We will hopefully hear from Sansó about the climb up his 100ft mast later on the live broadcast (1230-1315hrs French time, with the English audio available soon after).

Sansó reached the northeast side of Tenerife on Friday night and looked to have found a calm sport with the altitude of the island giving him plenty of shelter from the 6-10 knot winds from the northwest.

Sansó is 13th place over 500 miles the lead group.

He seems not to have anchored and was making 1 to 3 knots through the night. But Vendée Globe skippers can anchor in a bay to repair. The rules that govern this 60ft IMOCA class of boat are strict about anchorages: The total weight of the anchor, including the chain, must be greater than or equal to 75kg. The Anchor must be sealed (like the engine) and if used a penalty may be applied by the race jury. The skipper must not receive any assistance (except strictly limited medical support).

Meanwhile of the two boats out of the race: Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) who abandoned yesterday morning after his collision with a fishing boat on Wednesday, arrived in La Coruña and Sam Davies (Savéol), out after dismasting on Thursday night, is approaching Madeira.

Fleet News

As the lead boats drag race south in 15 knot north easterly winds, Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) has taken second place from Francois Gabart. The seven boats at the head of the race have all converged on virtually the same route. But Vincent Riou (PRB) and Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec 3), still lie slightly west and they are the only two not to have lost significant miles to Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire). But a yo-yo effect may take place again, as it did with Gabart, as Cléac'h has hit a light patch of wind that the forecast suggests may strengthen by the time the other boats arrive.

One hundred miles east, but bearing southwest to converge with the pack, Mike Golding (Gamesa) was not joking when he said that he would rather be where the other boats were, as he and Jean Le Cam (SynerCiel) lost around 70 miles overnight.

Sam Davies after her dismasting by VendeeGlobeTV

www.vendeeglobe.org/en/

Update from Mike Golding, Gamesa:

Repositioning himself back to the west, closing back towards the main body of the Vendée Globe fleet leaders, Mike Golding has – as expected – lost a handful of miles in doing so, but the British skipper's patience should be rewarded later this morning when he gybes back to head on a more southerly course in the stronger breeze he has been seeking.

"It's not too bad now. I've got 18kts of wind and we are trucking nicely west. I am just waiting for the gybe, so hopefully the quietest stuff is over for the moment. I am slowly seeing the breeze build and it is staying more stable now."

Golding is emerging from a band of lighter, unsettled air to the east of the leading pack and remains in a close duel with Jean Le Cam who is 17 miles to the east of Golding's Gamesa.

"The breeze will clock round progressively now so there is no actual shift in the wind direction I am waiting for, so it is just a question of picking the right time. But for sure I prefer to put some in the bank, to go a little further west, rather than regret it later. And I am sure that Jean will go first.

"Otherwise everything is going OK. I am pretty tired just now because I am hanging on for the gybe and you don't want to go to sleep and miss the time."

Golding will mark one week at sea after starting his fourth Vendée Globe at 13:02h French time last Saturday.