More damage on IDEC as Joyon battles to finish

by Event media on 15 Jan 2008
'It’s a bit hard going,' was how the situation was described by Francis Joyon in a few short words without any emotional overtone. This little sentence takes on a different meaning for those, who know Joyon, as you can read a lot into what lies behind the words and the modesty, about the violence and difficulties he went through during the night.

IDEC was well and truly shaken around in some very rough seas in a series of squalls during the night by the Trades. Joyon did his utmost by forgetting any idea of taking a rest to ensure the boat suffered as little as possible. He did this by moving away from the direct route, letting out and then taking in a reef, switching between storm sail and staysail, until a new run of incidents, which are the common lot of sailors, after 23,000 miles and 52 days of sailing.

Far off the coast of Mauritania his performance for the days ahead is already determined in his head, from leaving behind the trade winds to getting through the Azores, right up to picking up the strong south south westerly flow, which will take him whatever happens towards Brest and home.

During the night it was the staysail stay that paid the price of the repeated slamming into the swell. 'The sail went flying everywhere,' explained Francis, 'There was incident after incident, with a broken block, which caused a hole in the deck . . . I had to get the tool box back out and put some resin on it, repair the deck and recuperate my sail . . .'

28 knots of wind coming straight at us in some tricky seas really shook up IDEC throughout the night. At daybreak, the wind shifted more towards the east. More than ever in record mode, Joyon hoisted some more canvas and soon as the wind eased off slightly, let out a reef and hoisted his staysail instead of his stormsail. 'I still can’t really play around with the staysail, admitted Francis, as the furler drum is broken.'

Such a litany of damage would probably affect any sailor. Except Joyon. Where there is a problem, there is a solution, whatever the price in time and physical effort. 'I didn’t get much rest as the boat was being banged around so much'.

This 53rd day of sailing should offer him a little respite with some cleaner seas and a more favourable wind angle. Less than 36 hours ahead him, he can see the Azores high coming up. IDEC will leave this to starboard, in order to reach the south south westerly flow, requiring a gybe.

Joyon will by then have taken advantage of the calm close to the centre of the high-pressure area to go back up the mast once again; 'I’ll make the most of it to check out the movement of the spindle, which holds the shroud in place,' he explained. 'I think I’ll jam it in place by hammering it. Then, I’ll wrap a bandage around the mast. I have already put up a halyard to add support to the starboard shroud.'

Having done everything within his power, Francis will then be on the home run, the final sprint that with the 40-45 knot winds that are forecast looks like being an epic end to the voyage. A fitting end to a round the world voyage that has been in every way unique, and that Francis is still determined to finish in style.

IDEC2 Position 14/01/2008 19:58:00 UTC - DTF 2,123nm Distance in 24hrs - 417,6 nm - Ahead of Record 2,814nm

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