Robin Knox-Johnston closes on finish line

by Justine Ozoux on 4 May 2007 The Vekux 5 Oceans 10:20 UTC position poll shows that Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is now 140 miles from the Leg 3 finish line, 50 miles off the north coast of Spain, due north of Cape Penas, the peninsular just west of Gijon.

Leading fourth place Unai Basurko by 171 miles, Sir Robin's ETA to cross the finish line of the VELUX 5 OCEANS race is currently 04:00 local Spanish time (02:00 UTC/03:00 BST) on Friday morning. He will arrive into Bilbao in daylight at approximately 08:00 local Spanish time (06:00 UTC/07:00 BST).

A bird flew into Sir Robin’s cabin last evening. Black on top, white underneath with a red and brown face and has stowed itself away. Mother nature has sent dolphins too, who played around his boat for about 10 minutes as he was crossing the Finisterre to Ushant traffic lane.

Meanwhile Unai Basurko feels like he is spiritually closer to home and he is now sailing in familiar waters. Yesterday he made radio contact with the marine radio at Cape Finisterre and they have warned him that he is sailing into some busy waterways. But his target is a point on the Spanish coast called Estaca. When he turns this corner he feels as if he will be on the home run and is anticipating that he will be into Bilbao in the early hours of Saturday morning.

While trying to unhook algae from his rudder this morning Basurko was visited by a school of dolphins. In an ethereal mood Basurko commented that he was enjoying the sailing, was very happy and moved by the experience. With 3 dots on the radar alerting him to passing ships so he is remaining vigilante but is eagerly anticipating his first sight of land, which is currently being engulfed in mist.

ETA Sir Robin Knox-Johnston Friday morning 0800 Gexto Marina, Bilbao

ETA Unai Basurko Saturday morning 0800 Gexto Marina, Bilbao

In overall elapsed time Basurko leads Knox Johnston by 1 day 16 hours.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, SAGA INSURANCE:
'On balance I have enjoyed the sailing and always enjoy that feeling of freedom you get at sea, but been frustrated by little things in the racing. One of my happiest recollections is from the team supporting me for this venture and the camaraderie that has built up and those friendships will, I am sure, endure. And my worst memory, well apart from that awful period in the South Atlantic when the weather predictions were all over the place, the passage into the Beagle Channel.'

Unai Basurko, PAKEA:
'It is essential to remain realistic. I am taking the race step by step. At the moment the numbers are very favorable but the sea is not foreseeable and it is necessary to be generous and know that everything can happen. I am very happy and very moved... I have sailed in these waters so many times that the boat almost knows how to find it’s own way home.'

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