UPDATE on Are Wiig dismasting

Code Orange alert remains for Norwegian skipper

Loïc Lepage running short of water

Day 59: Dateline 28.8.2018 – Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Further details have emerged today regarding Norwegian skipper Are Wiig following his capsize and dismasting 400 miles SSW of Cape Town on Monday.

Now in regular communication with both Race HQ and home, Wigg‘s team manager John Amtrup gave this update:

“He was repairing the safety pin (of his wind vane self steering) when his yacht capsized and he was thrown out of the companionway and landed in the sprayhood. He got some bruises and ended up in the cockpit, but it is nothing serious. A cut on the ear and a few other places, so there was some blood. The forestay is working as a sea anchor and the boom is saved.

The porthole that broke was over the chart table, so the electrical system got a lot of water on it, but the batteries are probably still fine.

Under deck there is food and oil everywhere. Are thinks it was blowing around 35knots when he capsized, which he didnt think was much having sailed through this storm for the last 3 days. Ironicly, Are had just read the book ‘The voyage of madmen’ and every boat that hove-to didn’t capsize. The race is over for Are and he will not be getting a new rig for now.”

Are Wiig also recorded a telephone message to his many supporters in Norway saying: This is Are, I just have to say I’m sorry. My participation in the Golden Globe Race has suddenly come to an end.
I have experienced some bad weather the last couple of days, and with it, knockdowns. The wind-vane had broken and I was repairing it. I was standing in the companionway and had the parts for the wind-vane in the vice, working on them. And then there was a big sea, and I capsized. When the boat came back up, there was chaos everywhere, the mast was broken, and that means the end of my participation. I’m sorry, I can’t continue, because it was really fun while it lasted. I want to thank everyone who gave me support of any kind. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry…though I’m not sure that ‘I’m sorry’ is the right phrase. This is how the weather is, and you can’t rule over the weather. The seas have been terrible today, and in the end, this was the result. We will have to try another time. Maybe. Thank you.”

Don McIntyre, the GGR Chairman confirmed today that Are Wiig has all the equipment needed to set a jury rig: “All entrants had to prove this during their preparations by sailing a triangular course in the open ccean with their planned jury rig for at least six hours, then submit a comprehensive report as part of their final registration and acceptance into the Race. Wiig completed his jury rig and emergency rudder arrangement off the Norwegian coast last April.”

McIntyre added: “Parts of the mast and sails are still connected off the bow which is holding the boat head to wind and sea. He has located all the parts made specially for the Jury rig and both spinnaker poles are intact. Are reports that he had a rough night with plenty of rocking. He felt it may be easier now to roll over without the mast. He is trying to rest but finding it very hard with all the jerky motion. He woke during the night thinking she was going over again but did not. The seas are slowly dropping.

Hull compression damage on the starboard side suggests huge impact dropping off wave. The forward bulkhead was damaged and torn from hull by the impact and some deck fittings have been ripped out. There are small holes still to be repaired on deck. His YB3i main tracking unit is NOT operating and his main YB3 text unit is damaged so he has activated the spare YB3 sat texting unit stored in the yacht’s emergency grab bag. His solar charging is damaged but reparable and electrical wiring holes are leaking water into boat. Engine runs but Are will not complete final checks until he can confirm that there are no ropes in water. He has approx. 120 ltrs of fuel so about 40 hours motoring at 5 knots = 200 miles. The hull is sound and strong enough for voyage to Cape Town. Wind is dropping but small seas continue to break over the boat. He feels safe.

We feel that Are Wiig is now fully in control of his boat and in good health. He has a good plan to sail to Cape Town under Jury rig. LIVE Tracking has been restored to the GGR tracker iand Sat comms are all working. We will provide him weather reports and maintain CODE ORANGE till he arrives safely in Cape Town.”

Overnight, all other GGR skippers sent supportive messages to Wiig including Ireland’s Gregor McGukin who was 40 miles NE of Wiig‘s position when the upset happened. He texted: SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT ARE. AM CLOSE BY IF ASSISTANCE NEEDED. He had been running under bare poles and streaming warps in the severe conditions yesterday but this morning the Irishman had even more reassuring news: BACK ON TRACK. SEA STATE MUCH BETTER. Latest forecasts predict even calmer conditions over the next couple of days which will make life much easier for Wiig to set his boat up to sail north to Cape Town

In Cape Town, Harbour Master Captain Steven Bentley, has promised his support, just as the harbour authority did for fellow GGR skipper Philippe Péché a week ago. He writes: “We will keep an eye on his progress, and be available to assist him into Cape Town. Should his jury rig course take him into False Bay, between Cape Point, and Cape Agulhas, he should make best course possible to False Bay. I am able to arrange a safe marina berth at False Bay Yacht Club, and In better local weather conditions, he can translocate from FBYC to the Royal Cape Yacht Club with assistance from local club members. I will watch his progress, and aim to get him ashore and his yacht safely berthed, as soon as possible with the least risks.”

Meanwhile, another GGR skipper may well be forced into Cape Town for lack of water. French entrant Loïc Lepage sailing the Nicholson 32 Laaland reports that he has still not caught much rain water and has only enough to get as far as Australia. His SSB radio and YB3 Texting unit are not working and he has had to resort to messaging on his sat phone direct to Race HQ. Lepage is currently 1,000 miles west of The Cape of Good Hope, and without the ability to pick up weather forecasts, may well decide to head for Cape Town to fix these issues before continuing on in the Chichester Class

Latest positions at 14:00 UTC today 28.8.18

1. Jean- Luc VDH (FRA)Rustler 36 Matmut
2. Mark Slats (NED)Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick
3. Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance
4. Uku Randmaa (EST) Rustler 36 One and All
5. Abhilash Tomy (IND) Suhaili replica Thuriya
6. Susie Goodall (GBR) Rustler 36 DHL Starlight
7. Loïc Lepage (FRA) Nicholson 32 Laaland
8. Igor Zaretskiy (RUS) Endurance 35 Esmeralda
9. Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) Gaia 36 Asteria
10. Istvan Kopar (USA) Tradewind 35 Puffin
11. Mark Sinclair (Aus) Lello 34 Coconut

CAROZZO SAILOR

1. Francesco Cappelletti (ITA) Endurance 35 007

RETIRED

1. Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Rustler 36 Lazy Otter
2. Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Tradewind 35 Sagarmatha
3. Nabil Amra (PAL) Biscay 36 Liberty II
4. Antoine Cousot (FRA) Biscay 36 Métier Intérim
5. Philippe Péché (FRA) Rustler 36 PRB
6. Are Wiig (NOR) OE 32 Olleanna

The post UPDATE on Are Wiig dismasting appeared first on Golden Globe Race.

Code Orange alert for Norwegian skipper Are Wiig, dismasted some 400 miles SW of Cape Town

DAY 58: Dateline 18:00 UTC – Les Sables d’Olonne, France
Golden Globe Race skipper Are Wiig made a satellite phone call to Race HQ at 16:30 UTC today to report that his 32ft yacht Olleanna had been rolled through 360° and dismasted some 400 miles south west of Cape Town.

The 58-year old yacht surveyor from Svelvik, Norway is one of 12 sailors competing in this solo non stop race around the Globe, and was below decks at the time with the yacht lying hove-to in 35-45knot winds and 7-8m seas. One cabin porthole was lost, but Are reported that he was not injured and there was no damage to the hull. He quickly cut the mast and rig away from the hull but left the forestay and it is currently hanging from the bow of the boat in the water with the sail attached acting as a sea anchor.
Don McIntyre the GGR Race Chairman who answered the call from Wiig reports “Are sounded confident and very much in control. His windvane self steering system had broken, and before going below, he had been hand-steering since 05:00. Down below is a mess, but he plans to tidy up and monitor the situation and then develop a plan. He has everything onboard to make a jury rig. Are confirmed that he had NOT activated his EPIRB and did NOT require any assistance at this time. All his safety equipment is secure and in good order. His satellite communications are working well and he has full electrical power.”
Race HQ in les Sables d’O’lonne is monitoring the situation and alerted rescue authorities in Cape Town and the fleet of race yachts. The nearest competitor to Are Wiig is Ireland’s Gregor McGuckin sailing the Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance, some 40 miles north east of Wiig’s position, but he too is facing the same strong westerly winds, reporting earlier today: 3RD NIGHT OF GALES,NO SAILS,TOWING WARPS.ALL WELL,JUST TIRED
McIntyre continued: “We have alerted the GGR fleet but since Are has not asked for assistance at this stage we have not called on any yachts to divert from their course.”
Wiig called Race HQ to confirm that the situation onboard was stable. He was preparing to plug the broken porthole and was committed to set up a jury rig as soon as conditions allow and head slowly for Cape Town.

The post Are Wiig, dismasted 400 miles SW of Cape Town appeared first on Golden Globe Race.

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede first to round Cape of Good Hope

Philippe Péché and Antoine Cousot to retire from the Race

Navigation warning posted heralds first Southern Ocean storm

Dateline: 00:00 24-08-18 Les Sables D’Olonne:

Race leader Jean-Luc Van Den Heede sailing his Rustler 36 yacht Matmut rounded the Cape of Good Hope at 20:00 UTC yesterday, the first of three major milestones in this 30,000 mile solo non-stop round the world race.

The 73-year old yachtsman, who already holds the record for the fastest West-East solo circumnavigation against the prevailing winds, got an early reminder on Wednesday of what to expect now that he is entering the Roaring Forty latitudes after sailing straight across the Agulhas Current on Wednesday. Reporting 7m high waves, he texted Race HQ: SURPRISINGLY STRONG SEA WHEN THERE IS ONLY 30KT (WINDS) MAX!

Norwegian Are Wiig (OE 32 Olleanna) and Ireland’s Gregor McGuckin (Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance) trailing some 830 miles behind Matmut in 3rd and 4th place within the fleet will experience the full force of the next low pressure system this morning and the 50knot + westerly winds are predicted to overtake 2nd placed Mark Slats (Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick) later today and drop snow on Cape Town over the weekend.

Van Den Heede’s performance to-date has been quite remarkable. He has rounded this, the first of three capes (the other major headlands are Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia and Cape Horn) some 34 days ahead of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s record aboard his ketch-rigged yacht Suhaili 50 years ago. In a satellite call to Race HQ this week, Jean-Luc was asked when he expected to reach Hobart, the second photo drop point in the Race. “My mind is not on that, but the finish back in Les Sables d’Olonne. I predict a return early in February.” That would make a circumnavigation time of between 210 – 217 days against Suhaili’s time of 312 days. Based on this, Race organisers are predicting the first arrival off Hobart in mid October

Meanwhile, two other French sailors, Antoine Cousot (Biscay 36 Métier Intérim) and Philippe Péché (Rustler 36 PRB) will be forced to pull out of the Race on arrival in port. Both had already been demoted to the Chichester Class for those who make one stop or seek outside assistance.

Cousot, who made a stop in Lanzarote, announced on Wednesday that he was headed for the Island of Trinidade to rest shoulder and ankle injuries and make further repairs to his wind vane self steering system, before heading on to Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

Don McIntyre, the GGR Race Chairman said today. “We are sorry to see Philippe and Antoine out of the Race. Philippe has been very competitive since day 1 when he led the fleet away from Les Sables d’Olonne so we share his disappointment. Antoine has been struggling from the outset, first with self-steering problems that have continued to plague him, and now with injuries. Both will have learned valuable lessons and we hope they consider this as unfinished business and enter the next race in 2022.”

Péché, who led the race down the Atlantic, also suffered damage to his steering, but it was a call to his partner via the satellite phone reserved solely for communication with GGR HQ, that demoted him to the Chichester Class. He was warned via text message on 13th August not to use the satellite phone again, and later offered an 18-hour time penalty and remain in the GGR class because the call to his partner did not provide any real outside assistance. That could have allowed Péché to continue in the Chichester Class once he had stopped for repairs in Cape Town where outside assistance is required.

However, later investigations show that Philippe continued to use the Satellite phone. A log of his calls and messages show 40 incoming and outgoing calls and SMS messages, which he now says were required to organize his pit stop and repairs

In an exchange of text messages yesterday Péché wrote: “THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN ORGANISE MY STOP IN CAPE TOWN”, followed by “IMPOSSIBLE TO ORGANIZE WITH SSB. STEERING 15H/D. U CAN DISQUALIFY ME.”

Race HQ responded: NOT DISQUALIFIED.WE CANNOT GIVE 18HR PENALTY AS 40 COMMS. WHEN U STOP AS A CHICHESTER U R OUT. YOU CAN CONTINUE IN CAROZZO CLASS ONLY, WITH GGR SUPPORT. ALL THE BEST…GOOD LUCK

The rules for this retro race marking the 50th anniversary of the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race are clear. Competitors can only use equipment that was available to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and other competitors in 1968/9 to navigate and contact the outside world. That means using SSB and Ham radios for long-range communications, and VHF for short range (up to 30 miles)

The official ruling reads:
On Thursday 9th August Philippe’s Beaufort wind vane became inoperable with a break that was impossible to repair onboard. On Friday 10th August the yacht’s tiller onboard broke approx. 20cm from the rudder. Conditions had been 40-50kts winds from behind. Philippe decided to call GGR HQ via the Race Sat Phone to report the damage and notify that he would lay a hull for the night and attempt to make repairs in the morning. He then stated that he would call his partner on the same sat phone, saying… ‘I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES’

GGR declared this was NOT a CODE ORANGE under the Crisis Management Planning, so notice was NOT passed onto any of the Marine Rescue Coordination Centres. Instead, GGR management passed information to next of kin and continued to monitor the situation closely. The weather moderated quickly. The yacht’s rudder, hull and rig were sound with all safety gear intact and all satellite comms. operational. The following morning Philippe made a jury repair to the tiller from parts onboard, declared he was bound for Cape Town and continued sailing, making good speed.

RULES APPLICABLE in NOR.
3.1.4: A skipper may only contact the GGR Control by GGR Sat Phone or YB3 Texting during the voyage and may NOT use these to contact any other party except in an Emergency.
3.1.12: Failure to comply with any one of these rules, will lead to the skipper having to abandon the Race.

FINDINGS
Philippe Péché called GGR HQ to report temporary loss of control of his yacht. He did not ask for assistance and confirmed that he was OK and would make repairs in the morning. This was NOT a DISTRESS or a PAN PAN situation. Philippe wanted to notify GGR of his situation and change in satellite tracking, and to alert GGR of the challenges ahead. He did NOT declare an emergency.

All Entrants have been advised in documents and briefings that the GGR Sat Phone can be used ONLY in an emergency to call any rescue authorities for assistance. Philippe’s assertion that it was an emergency and therefore he could call his partner is not supported by the GGR on two levels.
1. This incident was NOT declared an emergency by GGR and No assistance was requested or given. Philippe did not declare an emergency and had not called any Rescue Authorities.
2. The intent of Rule 3.1.4 relates specifically to emergency situations and refers to calling anyone who can assist in such an emergency. It does not refer to secondary calls to family or managers while under racing rules. The fact that Philippe stated he was NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES indicates that he knew he should not make the call.

Philippe has clearly breached rule 3.1.4. Rather than apply 3.1.12, his move to Chichester Class was determined.

A time penalty of 18 hours was considered to bring Philippe back into the GGR class, but not approved as subsequent investigations show that Philippe has been using the GGR Sat-Phone since August 10th for regular and frequent incoming and outgoing calls and SMS messages. As a result, his stop in Cape Town will mark a second penalty forcing his retirement from the GGR. END.

Latest positions at 20:00 UTC 23-08-18

1. Jean- Luc VDH (FRA)Rustler 36 Matmut
2. Mark Slats (NED)Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick
3. Are Wiig (NOR) OE 32 Olleanna
4. Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance
5. Uku Randmaa (EST) Rustler 36 One and All
6. Susie Goodall (GBR) Rustler 36 DHL Starlight
7. Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) Gaia 36 Asteria
8. Abhilash Tomy (IND) Suhaili replica Thuriya
9. Loïc Lepage (FRA) Nicholson 32 Laaland
10. Igor Zaretskiy (RUS) Endurance 35 Esmeralda
11. Istvan Kopar (USA) Tradewind 35 Puffin
12. Mark Sinclair (Aus) Lello 34 Coconut

1. CHICHESTER CLASS
   1. Philippe Péché (FRA) Rustler 36 PRB

    

2. CAROZZO SAILOR
   1. Francesco Cappelletti (ITA) Endurance 35 007

    

3. RETIRED

1. Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Rustler 36 Lazy Otter
2. Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Tradewind 35 Sagarmatha
3. Nabil Amra (PAL) Biscay 36 Liberty II
4. Antoine Cousot (FRA) Biscay 36 Métier Intérim

The post Jean-Luc Van Den Heede first to round Cape of Good Hope appeared first on Golden Globe Race.

Southern limit in Indian Ocean raised to 42°S after two navigation warnings posted to fleet

Why is Susie Goodall heading North

Electronic issues dog Tapio Lehtinen

Lack of fresh water may force Loïc Lepage to consider Cape Town stop

Applications open for 2022 GGR

As race leader Jean-Luc Van Den Heede closes on a very stormy Cape of Good Hope, Race organisers posted two navigation warnings to the fleet on Sunday, and today have raised the southern limit to 42°S from Longitude 40°E to keep the fleet clear of the worst conditions in the South Indian Ocean.

Don McIntyre, the Race Chairman explains: “This is early Spring in the Southern Ocean and the fleet will be 2-weeks or more ahead of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston 50 years ago in rounding the Cape of Good Hope and entering the Roaring Forty latitudes. From the satellite images, which of course were never available to the original Golden Globe Race skippers, it is clear that the remnants of the winter storms are still running through the 40 and 50 latitudes. Raising the exclusion line to 42°S now is a prudent measure to keep the 2018 GGR fleet from straying into the worst of this weather.”

Van Den Heede and his followers still face some uncomfortable sailing. South of the Cape, the Agulhas Current is running in a clockwise cauldron at between 3-4knots, which when mixed with strong south westerly winds, is creating a vicious sea state for these small yachts to cross. Van Den Heede’s Rustler 36 Matmut will be the first to experience this during the latter part of this week followed by second placed Dutchman Mark Slats currently trailing the Frenchman 515 miles astern.

Behind them, the 10 other sailors within the GGR have been reporting mixed weather. Indian Abhilash Tomy (Suhaili replica Thuriya) has been dogged by light winds all last week as a high pressure system followed his every move. Britain’s Susie Goodall (DHL Starlight), currently 450 miles ENE of Tomy, has been facing strong head winds and rough cross seas all week – so much so that to tack would force her to head straight into them. That is why she is heading North Easterly today in search of a more favourable wind further east. She fears that to tack south right now, the sea state would stop her Rustler 36 in its tracks. More worryingly, Susie reported today that some of the chain plates connecting the yacht’s rigging to the hull have lifted some 2mm above the deck and are now letting in water. She is monitoring the problem.

Susie also reported that her yacht has been sailing through a large area of flotsam and jetsam in recent days some of which has been hitting the hull with quite a bang. Ireland’s Gregor McGuckin (Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance) has made most progress this past week, moving up from 8th to 5th, despite running into stray ropes, fishing nets and other debris. This worrying ecological state in mid South Atlantic was first underlined a week ago when Abhilash Tomy reported hitting an unknown object hard.

Two other skippers have reported bigger issues. Finland’s Tapio Lehtinen is suffering a power meltdown on his Gaia 36 Asteria. Her engine stopped working two weeks ago, the yacht’s solar panels, which should be providing a 300watt trickle charge are producing barely 5% that amount, and the connections to his water generator keep burning out. Tapio made an unscheduled call to the Race Organisers yesterday to discuss the possibilities of running ‘Dark Ship’ for the remainder of the circumnavigation. Bernard Moitessier did so in the first Golden Globe Race 50 years ago but this GGR requires at least one position report a day for safety reasons. Don McIntyre explained: “Tapio could turn off all power in the boat, including his satellite tracker. He is looking at the option of hot-wiring one or more of his solar panels direct to the ship’s batteries and that would allow him to send us one position update a day. Tapio is a ‘stayer’. He is not considering stopping to make repairs. He is determined to battle on regardless”

Frenchman Loïc Lepage (Nicholson 32 Laarland) may not have that option. His fresh water supplies are running low following a unusual lack of rain experienced in the Doldrums. He is now considering a stop in Cape Town which would demote him to the Chichester Class.

Fellow Frenchman Philippe Péché has remained silent over his intentions to stop in Cape Town to replace the broken wind vane self steering system and tiller on his Rustler 36 PRB but has been making remarkable progress in keeping pace with Van Den Heede while hand-steering all week. At the current rate, he is likely to reach Cape Town on Thursday or Friday.

One other man with worries is Dutchman Mark Slats. Now down to 32°S, the second-placed Dutchman is beginning to feel the cold, and reported last week that he forgot to pack gloves for the Southern Ocean stages. He has hanked headsails rather than roller furling on his Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick and it is going to be cold changing sails on that foredeck!

Invitations for the 2022 GGR open Today!

Applications for an invitation to compete in the 2022 Golden Globe Race are now available, four years ahead of the start. A new Class of strict One Design steel replicas of Bernard Moitessier’s famous Golden Globe yacht JOSHUA has been added for the next edition, joining the current traditional long-keeled yachts of between 32-36ft in the SUHAILI Class. There will be an overall line honours trophy and individual class winners.

Events start in a UK port on August 15th 2022 when GGR entrants assemble ahead of a SITraN Challenge Race bound for a port in France, starting on Sunday 21st August 2022. This date commemorates the anniversary of French legend Bernard Moitessier setting off in the original Sunday Times Golden Globe from Plymouth England on August 22nd 1968. The Golden Globe Race will start from a port in France on Sunday 11th Sept 2022.

Don McIntyre, the GGR Race founder current Race Chairman says: “With hundreds of enquiries from sailors around the world interested in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, we need to give early notice of our plans. The 2018 Golden Globe has just begun and the Southern Ocean awaits, yet some 70 sailors are looking seriously at entering the 2022 Race already. These men and women from countries across the globe have been inspired by the core values of this very special adventure and recreation of the original GGR 50 years ago.”

“The addition of a JOSHUA Class sailed in new one-design steel replicas is an exciting prospect that may attract a new class of sailor who prefers to buy new, rather than go through the sometimes expensive and lengthy refit on an older boat.” Said Don McIntyre…”This is quite apart from the challenge of sailing in the footsteps of Bernard Moitessier. I am looking forward to sailing one in 2022!”

All JOSHUAS are built in Turkey by ASBOAT for McIntyre Adventure ltd. Details and full specifications and prices are at www.Joshuagg.com .

Whilst the proven formula of the 2018 Notice of Race will remain substantially unchanged, there are some additions for this third running of the Golden Globe.
· Sailors must have completed at least 4000 Ocean sailing miles before applying for an invitation to compete.

20 entry limit in the SUHAILI class
10 entry limit in the JOSHUA class.
A further 5 special invitations may be awarded to sailors with particular merit
An entry limit of 7 sailors from any one country
A new Cape Town film Drop has been added to the course.
An extra 1000 mile non-stop solo qualifying voyage in the GGR entered yacht, using only celestial navigation is required on top of the previous minimum of 8000 ocean miles and a further 2000 solo miles.
The Entry fee is AU$16,000.

Click Here to download The 2022 Preliminary Notice of Race.

Email Hello@GoldenGlobeRace.com for an application form.

LATEST POSITIONS AT 08:00 UTC TODAY.

1. Jean- Luc VDH (FRA)Rustler 36 Matmut
2. Mark Slats (NED)Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick
3. Are Wiig (NOR) OE 32 Olleanna
4. Uku Randmaa (EST) Rustler 36 One and All
5. Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance
6. Susie Goodall (GBR) Rustler 36 DHL Starlight
7. Igor Zaretskiy (RUS) Endurance 35 Esmeralda
8. Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) Gaia 36 Asteria
9. Loïc Lepage (FRA) Nicholson 32 Laaland
10. Abhilash Tomy (IND) Suhaili replica Thuriya
11. Istvan Kopar (USA) Tradewind 35 Puffin
12. Mark Sinclair (Aus) Lello 34 Coconut

1. CHICHESTER CLASS
   1. Philippe Péché (FRA) Rustler 36 PRB
   2. Antoine Cousot (FRA) Biscay 36 Métier Intérim

    

2. CAROZZO SAILOR
   1. Francesco Cappelletti (ITA) Endurance 35 007

    

3. RETIRED

1. Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Rustler 36 Lazy Otter
2. Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Tradewind 35 Sagarmatha
3. Nabil Amra (PAL) Biscay 36 Liberty II

The post Latest News and Applications open for 2022 GGR appeared first on Golden Globe Race.

You OK? the Boat’s OK? Sort of..

The weekly satellite phone calls are quite revealing. For me as the person usually answering, I must manage a safety call that is not part of the GGR philosophy. It is a satellite phone. The entrants crave the very real social connection and sometimes ask for information I cannot give. You will hear me ask… are you OK? The boats OK? And then I give them space to talk. I tell them their tracker is good! and we are receiving their satellite tweets. If I know they have some maintenance or equipment issues I will asks for more information. We like to build a picture of their actual reliability, or potential to face new challenges ahead. It’s all business.

The media listen in to pick up snippets and so do many supporters and friends. It is the only window into their world that us mere mortals have. In the GGR office it can be quite emotional. They are all part of our family and daily lives. We live with emergency phones we hope never ring. We know them, their back stories and everything passes through us.

So what do I think about each entrant so far. How would I rate their status heading into the Southern Ocean? Are they OK and where do they and their boat sit in the GGR going forward? I am often asked, so at risk of alienating some here are my personal impressions.

TOMY ..Is enjoying the experience with total passion. He is confident in himself and his boat which is in good shape, no issues reported. He was born to do this again. He is having fun, always smiling and apart from hitting something last night is sailing very well. The isolation is NOT worrying him. 96%

ANTOINE..His stop in Marina Rubicon was a surprise to many. It was as much for him as his boat to take stock and sort both out. He is moving forward reliably and is not pushing hard so may have found himself and the pace for the boat that he is comfortable with? All entrants know that once you pass under Cape Town there is no turning back and this will be on his mind for sure. 77%

ARE..Is simply in his own world. Making himself busy every day, totally relaxed, nothing is a bother and never bored, happy as a man living his dream in a boat he loves and ready for anything! He looks forward to every day and is eager for the South. It is that simple..Loving life!! 96%

GREGOR..Has a fire in his belly with a lot at stake and plenty to prove. He is working hard. His boat is good but there are a few little issues to contend with and he does that well. He is comfortable in his world having fun and wants more! 94%

IGOR..He is definitely OK ! a real sailors sailor, tough and hardy. I sail with Russian sailors most summers to Antarctica and they can do anything and fix anything . This is IGOR! He knows sail shape and has one of the Biggest boats in the GGR. It is a lot to look after, so he is and will be kept busy. He smokes hard, talks perfect Russian to us all and has a huge smile..He is OK! 91%

ISTVAN..Is pure determination in the face of adversity. A strong sailor and experienced seaman who takes it all in his stride. He knows what has to be done and worked hard to get where he is, but still little things are against him. He is a stayer, and nothing can stop him. He keeps smiling when others may not, so he is doing well. Looking for icebergs last night shows he is trying to think of everything! 89%

JL VDH ..What can you say about this OLD man?? He even carries a small toy inflatable dingy to replace the rudder pin on his wind vane! Well prepared, confident, superb sailor and seaman that is living his life every day and will be sad crossing the finish line. 99%…Unbelievable!

LOIC..is to me a hero. It has not been easy at every level for him to be heading as you read this toward the Southern Ocean. A life dream he nearly lost a few times and now he is entering the toughest part. He is in the biggest battle of his life maybe and does this when others would have Quit. It shows. He moves forward every day the best he can with what he has. RESPECT! 87%

Capt’n COCONUT..Is loud, singing, confident with a plan for every occasion. His boat is good and the colour is like its skipper, Bright and Bold! Never complaining always looking after his boat, not going fast but not going slow, he knows you must finish to win so he is racing! He is doing it His way, and nothing is going to change that. Navy shining through. 95%

MARK SLATS…is BIG! He is powerful and driven to succeed, but sometimes the little things cause problems. Forgetting all gloves seems simple but in snow and windchill temperatures below zero can have a flow on effect. The boat is good, he is ready and JL VDH is a good target! 94%

PHILIPPE…Is a Racing sailor and his Race could be run? Wind vane failure maybe the end game. Next day Losing the tiller a simple challenge. Sometimes a fast sailor must move forward and there will be plenty to do in Cape Town. A new wind vane? Or a new life? 78%

SUSIE..Sailing well, laughing, doing research, fixing things with everything in her stride. She is on the program clearly happy enjoying what she loves and doing it oh so well! Importantly she is consistent and in touch with the leaders. Great Boat, great sailor, great Race, great future! 96%

TAPIO..Is frustrated beyond words, but happy to be in the GGR. With electrical issues knocking the edge off pure pleasure, he is still a happy man. He balances life onboard to enjoy special moments then sort the problems. A true seaman that understands the word seamanship, he hopes he sails past Cape Town. A true gentleman with passion and skill. 90%

UKU… On an ordinary sail, that is about to get tough and he lives that. Simple on the outside, detailed on the inside. He is an unassuming serious sailor expecting anything. Always OK, boat good, missing home and little problems are to be expected. He gets on with it. Simple! 95%

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