Paprec-Virbac 2 streaks towards Cape Horn

by Barcelona World Race media on 10 Jan 2008
With Paprec-Virbac 2 streaking towards Cape Horn, today should mark their final one in the Southern Ocean. Damian Foxall is projecting an early afternoon (GMT) rounding of the Horn as the race leader looks to leave the cold and stress of the South in its wake.

'We're nearing the end of a major part of the 'round the world',' Damian said today. 'It's the Southern Ocean and this is the last day we're going to be down here, so we're making the most of it. It's nice and sunny outside and we're sailing straight at the mark so life is good.'

Behind, Hugo Boss has stabilised its position, remaining just a shade over 1000 miles in arrears. The second place team has better wind now and is moving at good speed following a stretch yesterday when skipper Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape had to drop their mainsail to make a repair. Now back up at full speed, the chase is on for Hugo Boss.

'At this stage, we're probably going to need some help with the weather to catch up,' Alex Thomson told special guest Jonathan McKee (Estrella Damm co-skipper) on the video conference today. Jonathan agreed, saying it was important for Hugo to stay as close as possible to keep the pressure on and be in a position 'to pounce'!

For Temenos II, the last 24 hours have been very good. Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret have been the fastest boat over that period, chalking up nearly 350 miles over that period and adding to their slim lead over Mutua Madrileña.

Educación sin Fronteras is moving well in nice conditions, but Servane Escoffier isn't happy with the speed. 'We're doing 12-14 knots under spinnaker, but it seems slow, we're not sure what's wrong. We've been checking for seaweed and kelp on the rudders and keel, but so far, nothing.'

All of the boats were offered congratulations by Estrella Damm co-skipper Jonathan McKee today as he dropped by the Barcelona World Race headquarters for the video conference. Damian Foxall in particular was pleased to hear from a fellow sailor and sounded genuinely touched by Jonathan's best wishes. You can hear more from Jonathan in the audio section of the website and in the individual chats with the skippers here.

Day 60 - January 9, 14:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader

1. PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 - Jean Pierre DICK / Damian FOXALL - 0
2. HUGO BOSS - Alex THOMSON / Andrew CAPE - 1029
3. TEMENOS II - Dominique Wavre / Michele PARET- 2868
4. MUTUA MADRILENA - Javier SANSO / Pachi RIVERO - 3021
5. EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS - Servane ESCOFFIER / Albert BARGUES - 3528

Abandoned - VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland JOURDAIN / Jean Luc NELIAS
Abandoned - ESTRELLA DAMM - Guillermo ALTADILL / Jonathan MCKEE
Abandoned - DELTA DORE - Jérémie BEYOU / Sidney GAVIGNET
Abandoned - PRB - Vincent Riou / Sebastien JOSSE

Quotes - Jonathan McKee (Estrella Damm co-skipper) speaking to Damian Foxall on Paprec-Virbac 2 this afternoon: 'I think about you guys every day. I sure wish I were out there. Let me just offer my congratulations on what you've achieved so far. It's really been fun for me to watch the way you guys have attacked this race. I can see that your attitude is what has got you so far. It must be really cool to see Cape Horn looming on the horizon.'