Globe 40 race

[John_Silver]

Thoughts turn to Cape Horn, with 5 days until the start of the Recife leg. Jade (Wilson): "Cape Horn is like the Everest of the ocean. It's almost everything to me in this race."

250nm to Valparaiso, for Free Dom's Thibaut & Nico. Almost across a ridge of light airs and about to gybe onto some breeze​

 

[John_Silver]

In this week's SailorZ newsletter: Scows in the Big South, their designers' verdict. Plus Ian Lipinski (back as skipper of Credit, after taking a break for the Pacific leg) on the "big challenge ahead: the passage of Cape Horn."

​

 

[John_Silver]

Thibaut & Nico cross the Valparaiso finish line.



In time to take the Cape Horn leg start on Wednesday. Lisa, off Wilson, expecting heavy upwind conditions.

​

 

[John_Silver]

Class40 heavyweight, Corentin Douguet, aboard Curium for leg 5, talks Cape Horn and the challenges of the South Atlantic. "C'est tres complique." (English subtitles)

As the fleet prepares (FB short) for Wednesday's start.​

 

[John_Silver]

Trips around the bay today, for the race sponsors.



Followed by a pre-start briefing, for the crews.



The fleet sails at 18.00 CET / 17.00 GMT 18.2.26. Bound for Recife, via Cape Horn. Fair Winds ​

 

[John_Silver]

Fleet away. In 20kts of SSE breeze.








​

 

[John_Silver]

The fleet beats south. With the two scows around 15nm ahead of the sharps. Second placed Curium has undergone a full crew change: Jonas Gerckens is skipper, Corentin Douguet his co. Credit leads by about 10nm, with Ian Lipinski back in command. Antoine Carpentier resumes the No.2 role, after skippering across the Pacific.



Thibaut is joined by Reunion to Sydney leg co-skipper, Maxime Bourcier, aboard Free Dom.



Globe40 2022 veteran, Paul Stratfold, boosts the Brit count. Teaming up with Melodie on Whiskey Jack.



Otherwise it's 'steady as she goes,' crew-wise: Richard & Rupert (Jangada), Lisa & Jade (Wilson), Jose & Luiz (Barco),



Rhumb line distance to Cape Horn: 1600ish nm.
EDIT Conditions continue bouncy and brisk. Update from Richard & Rupert:



​

 

[John_Silver]

There is 20nm of North South (windward leeward) separation, between the two scows. Which are near neck and neck in longitude. Curium's Jonas & Corentin have their spirits lifted by dolphin acrobatics.



Leading duo, Ian & Antoine aboard Credit, look forward to the return of reaching conditions.



A refrain repeated across the tight packed sharp fleet.



With Richard & Rupert forced to rein Jangada in, until repairs can be effected



​