In the Vendee Globe, at 2300 last night, Mike Golding completed his sixth circumnavigation of the world, as he crossed his track, whilst racing back up the Atlantic in this his fourth Vendée Globe. With 240 miles to go this morning until he crosses back into the Northern Hemisphere at the Equator (likely to be around midnight GMT tonight), if there was ice aboard Gamesa, Mike Golding would have his small bottle of Champagne Mumm nestling in it as he prepares for one of the significant moments of his Vendée Globe.
The British skipper is resolute in his efforts to hold on to Jean Le Cam who is currently slightly quicker in the moderate reaching conditions which are now, at last, prevailing for the duo. Gamesa is 22 miles behind Le Cam’s SynerCiel, Golding working doggedly to keep in touch with his French rival. He reported last night that the more settled conditions have allowed him a chance to get some more rest as he prepares for the Doldrums crossing which might give him some options against Le Cam.
'Conditions have, at long last, stabilised and last night I enjoyed a long sleep, recharging my batteries for the next hemisphere - crossing tomorrow hopefully. In the back of the increasingly sparse larder I have saved a special bottle, a somewhat battered looking bottle of Mumm, I intend to enjoy it fully - so it is now cooling wrapped in a damp cloth out in the wind!
'SynerCiel is quicker in these conditions and we are now too close for the relative EWNS position to make any significant difference. There's not much I can do except watch him claw out a few miles today. Less than a month ago after some technical problems, SynerCiel was over 450 miles ahead, so it's great to be back alongside him.'
Airlie Beach Race Week 2013
Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week is the premier sailing event of the year for Whitsunday Sailing Club. August 9th-16th 2013. [More info]
http://www.airliebeachraceweek.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Sydney International Boat Show
The 40th Sydney International Boat Show
will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre & Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, Sydney Australia
[More info]
http://www.sydneyboatshow.com.au