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Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Team Legato try to keep their nerve as Polish team race away

by Barry Pickthall 26 Jan 2001 09:02 GMT

Photo © Rob Salvidge/Team Legato/Fuji/PPL

Its all about keeping your nerve

As their Polish rivals on Warta Polpharma surge ahead on the conveyor belt of the 'Roaring Forties', Tony Bullimore and his TEAM LEGATO crew have to keep their nerve for another 2 days before they can give chase in similar conditions.

    "We have to accept that the Poles are going to extend their lead again," said tactician Jason Owen this morning. "But we are riding round a small Depression at the moment which should speed our way southwards. We will be in the stronger winds by the weekend." He forecast.

Tony Bullimore also reflected on the adverse conditions they have experienced ever since the start.

    "It's amazing. We have been desperately unlucky with the weather. When we left Bristol all that time ago we had to beat all the way down the Bristol Channel out into the Western Approaches. We enjoyed a reasonable run across to Ushant but then it was back to beating right across the Bay of Biscay and all the way to Lisbon, much of it in force 8/9 conditions. Then it was on to Barcelona, again beating to windward. Apart from reaching backwards and forwards to complete a 150 miles final qualifier, we have been beating ever since right down to 28S. It has got nothing to do with bad weather routing or forecasting because if anything, Warta Polpharma has experienced even worse luck. This boat is built for fast reaching in strong winds and we can't wait to show the world what she can do. ­ But it will take another couple of days!"

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