BT Global Challenge Daily update

by Event Press on 6 Jun 2001 Leading yachts in the BT Global Challenge have slowed dramatically due to increased low pressure systems over Africa and the coast. Leg leader Logica's boat speed at one point had been reduced to zero with closest rival
Compaq NonStop not faring much better and managing only one knot. In the centre of the pack LG FLATRON
continued to take miles out of the leader and now lies in fifth place, 74 miles behind Logica. Conrad Humphreys and
his team will be pushing for a strong finish into La Rochelle to consolidate their place at the top of the leader board,
as well as keeping a weather eye open for their closest rival in the race Compaq NonStop.

Weather report

Wind: Northwest force 3
Swell: Moderate
Barometric Pressure: 1012mb
Air Temperature: 24C - 75F
Sea Temperature: 25C - 77F

Forecast

Low pressure over Africa will keep the winds from a west or north-westerly direction at first until the lead yachts run
into the band of northerly winds a little to the north of where they are now. They may find an area of lighter winds
before they reach these northerly winds, but once into the stronger band of wind it is likely to increase to a force five.

For the lead pack of yachts this stronger wind will increase tomorrow from a force four or five to an occasional force
six or even a force seven at times. Further south the wind will stay lighter and blow from a mainly west to
north-westerly direction today before veering north late tomorrow, hopefully after all the southerly yachts have
managed to pass Dakar.

Stronger winds and the associated bigger waves will make life on board uncomfortable; not only because of the
increased motion and healing of the boat, but also because of the heat. Beating into the trade winds will mean that a
lot of spray and at times 'green' water will be sweeping over the decks. All the hatches will be closed to keep the
yacht dry and this will make the temperatures below decks soar.

Latest Race Update

After gaining for most of yesterday Logica and Compaq have lost miles this morning. Whether this is because they
have run out of wind by being too close to the coast in an area known for light winds, or because they are in a band
of light wind in the transition from the north-westerlies and the start of the trade winds, is not clear.

The biggest gain over the last 24 hours was made by Quadstone who closed up by 22 miles. More significantly LG
FLATRON gained 20 miles and has closed to 74 miles behind the leaders. After languishing 205 miles behind a
week ago it appears that they are staging a comeback to defend their first place overall and are looking for another
podium finish.

There were no changes in relative positions which is surprising as there are some close battles going on within the
fleet. The group of five yachts at the back all gained with the exception of Save the Children which took a more
easterly track when the wind dropped two days ago and are now east of their main rivals. Having lost a few miles
yesterday they are in danger of not being able to clear Dakar without having to tack, or risk getting very close to the
coast.

Quotes from the Fleet

Manley Hopkinson, skipper, Olympic Group
We can still get up there on this leg. It is not like the processional weather that the westerly legs were. We are
heading across the prevailing weather systems. Whilst the northerly boys may be languishing in the Azores high, I
could be enjoying the end of the trades. Whilst they get stuck on the corner of Spain, I, having seen their dilemma,
have the opportunity to stay out and go round. Whilst they get locked out by the incredibly aggressive tidal gates
that forbid entry into the bay off La Rochelle until the tides change I am free further out to enjoy the breeze with a
following set. There are so many opportunities for potential gain between here and La Rochelle, that by doing what
we always do, making the most of what we have, and by keeping a close eye on the development of the Atlantic
weather systems and the movements of the fleet ahead, we have a very real chance of pootling around the lot of
them and, deservedly, picking up line honours at La Rochelle. Just wait and see!

Race Positions - As at 0800 GMT (distance to leader in miles in brackets)

1. Logica
2. Compaq NonStop (16)
3. Isle of Man (60)
4. Norwich Union (62)
5. LG FLATRON (74)
6. TeamSpirIT (105)
7. BP Explorer (119)
8. Save the Children (240)
9. Quadstone (250)
10. Spirit of Hong Kong (278)
11. VERITAS (280)
12. Olympic Group (302)