Gitana : écurie de course au large fondée par le Baron Benjamin de Rothschild

Monday 10 November 2003

On her way back up...

After having set out once again yesterday at 13h00 French time from Porto Santo following a 3 hour long pit stop in the Madeira archipelago, Gitana set out in pursuit of the race leaders. Although those in the lead are currently galloping along in a steady very southerly trade fort he season, (under the Canary Isles), Gitana had to make sure she steered clear of the Canaries and wind holes caused by her volcanic relief. She also had to try and catch up with Bonduelle, Banque Populaire and Foncia as soon as possible, all of which had left the Portuguese port a little earlier.

Lionel Lemonchois and Marc Guessard are going to do one better than catch them up. At today's midday check-in, they were ahead of the three tris in question who had all opted to head straight through the Canaries. A choice which they are paying a heavy price for and which enables Gitana to leap forward from 11th place at 4h00 (French time) this morning into 8th place by midday today, behind Sopra Group, just 32 miles (59 km) ahead of Gitana's dark blue and white bows. The race is far from over yet! Gitana remains slightly westward. Over time, on the approach to the Doldrums 1300 miles (2400 km) ahead, this difference could turn out to be a clear advantage.

An understanding trade wind...

This north-east 20-knot wind (27 km/h), as regular as clockwork is having a tough time settling over the canaries this year. What is the reason for this ? A fickle zone of high pressure is pinning the trade wind down along the coast of Africa, preventing it from coming over the Canaries, breathing its warm wind and enabling the big staysails (gennakers) to be hoisted. So, the answer is to go in search of the slightest puff of wind to wriggle free from this zone of high pressure, increasing the number of manoeuvres and risks. As luck would have it, the point at which the trade starts, should be moving north tomorrow, which should help the second group of boats, led by Gitana. This trade wind will enable the crew to hoist the famous gennaker, so that those on board can concentrate on sailing the boat fast and getting the maximum performance from her. Lionel and Marc will have to manage gybes, concentrating on helming extremely well, and make the speedometer climb to speeds which landlubbers can only dream of. Next aim, the Doldrums, if all goes according to plan, for Friday...