Global Racing Roundup…: Ellen is slowly falling behind Francis Joyon as she closes on the Cape Verde Islands. She’s now 4.5 hours back, though lots can change in the highly unpredictable Doldrums which follow. Still, the fact is that Joyon had unbelievably favorable weather and routing for his circumnavigation, so Ellen will constantly find herself struggling to keep up. She’s a very determined and competitive sailor, so if anyone can handle the mental pressure of playing catch-up with a ghost all the way around the world, it is Ellen. In fact, she’s already stressing–and presumably trying to take comfort from– the fact that Joyon was a little slow on his trip back UP the Atlantic (toward the finish). Latest report here. And click here for Ellen’s description of the problem with her rudder (and the repair).

No dramatic developments in the Vendee Globe, though Vincent Riou on PRB has snuck back into the lead. Latest report here. Position report here. If you want an idea of just how dangerous this race can be, check out this report from Alex Thomson Racing on what Thomson’s night was like after his boom broke free from the mast and punctured his deck:

“The winds rose to over 60 knots (force 11, violent storm) with gusts reading 70 knots (force 12, hurricane). The waves were crashing over the stern of the boat, and slamming the cabin door. Alex was watching the breakers from the cabin below, knowing that if one caught the side of the boat, it could roll the boat, increasing his problems tenfold. Three times during the night, the boat was knocked down, left lying with the mast in the water. Each time it safely righted itself, but each time worried Alex even more. “I was in the middle of the Southern Ocean, 1000 miles from any help, with the boat being knocked down by ferocious waves, literally terrified the boat was going to end up upside down”, said a reflective Alex this morning. “It was a truly sobering experience”. Alex had to go on deck twice in these conditions. The unsupported boom continued to bash against the mast, risking compounding the problem yet further. Keen to avoid this, he bravely went out on deck and used some spare lines to winch the boom back away from the mast. At one point, he also had to stuff the hole in the deck with spare oilies (waterproof clothing), to stop as much of the water from entering the boat, as it crashed over in the vast waves, endangering all his electronic and communications equipment.”

And if you want a sense of how soul-crushing this race is, you can do no better than the words of Alex Thomson himself:

“Yesterday it felt like the end of my world. I was very disappointed and couldn’t think about the follow-up. After the incident (breakage of the carbon structure around the gooseneck and puncturing of the deck), the barometer was going up and down and the wind was gusting to 70 knots. I suffered a knock down with the mast in the water and the boom started hitting the mast. I had to go out on deck and try to tie the boom away from the mast which was really scary but I managed to do it. I currently have 25 knots of wind and the seas are big. I’m under solent making 10/11 knots. It’s a real mess down below after broaching so everything is upside down and there’s water in the boat. I estimate that will take me 5 to 6 days to reach Cape Town, the 8 or 9th December. Back home they have told me to get my ass in gear. I’m not entirely sure how I am going to proceed with the repairs and am still in contact with Lombard (Architect). It’s very difficult to gauge the size of the hole as the gooseneck is half in and half out of it and is also very close to the mast step. I’m clearly going to need dry and warm conditions which is pretty difficult at sea. I think the repairs should take 4/5 days but in the meantime I’m plugging the hole with my wet weather gear though there is still water coming in. I think there may be some problems with the mast electronics but if I can fix it I can. Obviously when you go into the southern ocean you must have complete confidence in your repairs and there are other considerations such as the shortage of fuel and food to think of too.”

Anyone else need a hanky? You have to feel for the guy…



Abject Alex: “Hello, is this Bert’s Boat Scrappers…?”