Golding happy with Ecover's progress - SNSM Record

by Mike Golding Racing on 24 Jun 2008
Mike Golding reports good progress from the SNSM race track with some valuable learning on board ECOVER 3. This afternoon they were approaching the Belle Isle for the third time on what has turned out to be a short, reaching back and forth loop in light breezes.

This afternoon ECOVER 3 is lying in sixth place. At different stages the six strong team have been up to third and then second this morning but a 'tactical faux pas' has dropped them again, but Golding notes that 'anything could happen tonight and likely will.'

They expect to be finished the shortened course some time tomorrow morning.

ECOVER's start Sunday evening was one to be forgotten, as a timing error or confusion left them late at the line, but Mike has been very happy with the speed and competitiveness of the boat.

'It's been good, we have been up close with most of the boats at different times and the only boat we haven't has been Paprec-Virbac which does seem to have a little speed and got away. I know we are a bit green against the guys who have been doing the racing recently, but that is the way it is. We have been able to have a good look at and use our new Code Zero and A3 sail in anger, so that's been good.'

'We have really had a bit of everything, and so that has been worthwhile as well. We've had up to 17 knots of wind speed but mostly it's been quite light. We have never really stopped at all in the light. It'll be interesting tonight although looking at the forecast at the moment there should be breeze through the night. It is not exactly an interesting course, a lot of reaching.'

Latest unofficial positions from race control 1400hrs local: 1 Paprec-Virbac, 2 Gitana, 3 Cheminées Poujoulat 4 Delta Dore 5 Foncia 6 Ecover. VM Materiaux not communicated.

For more information on Mike Golding Yacht Racing see: www.mikegolding.com