| Everyone thinks Phil Sharp has won the Route du Rhum 40 foot class, except Phil |
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| Tuesday, 14 November 2006 | |
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Marian Martin Who has the best strategy, on the approach to Guadeloupe? The present winds, resulting from a conflict between a Bermuda high and a few lows, are very weak and difficult to predict, but it seems that those who are sailing in the northerly winds, on the west side of the low, right above Guadeloupe, have more pressure. As a result, Phil Sharp's lead over Gildas Morvan went back up to 104 miles, at 4:00 PM, after shrinking to 58 miles yesterday, but speeds are increasing and decreasing, alternately, on both boats, so the suspense seems likely to last until the finish. 60 feet Marc Guillemot (Safran) and Anne Liardet (Roxy), who were expected to finish a few days ago, are still at sea and desperately trying to make their boats move in the light airs. They were moving again, at 9 and 6 knots, respectively, this morning, which meant that Marc overtook Anne, and they are still fighting for the 7th place, a situation which is, especially, trying for Anne, who has had to struggle with autopilot problems, almost from the start. 40 feet Phil Sharp and Gildas Morvan should get a bit of eastern trade winds benefit, by tomorrow, before those weaken again and the, previously favourable, north-westerly option closes. Nothing is certain, weather wise, and The situation might then reverse, giving an opportunity to the skippers in the South (like Dominic Vittet) that can dive down to seek for Trade Winds that will build up around latitude 21N. QUOTE OF THE DAY Phil Sharp/philsharpracing.com Lovely weather, I‘ve had unexpected wind, so I think I sailed more miles than Morvan today. I slept quite a bit, but the phone keeps going now and people keep ringing me up saying “come on, come on, there’s only 300 miles, you’ve got to do it! It's difficult to catch your sleep sometimes, but I keep telling myself that it’s only a few hours to the finish and I've got to keep sailing hard, because the weather is so shifty that anything can happen. Everyone seems to think I’ve won, but I haven't crossed the finish line yet. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 November 2006 ) |
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