The Doldrums for Vendee fleet

by Vendee Globe media and competitors on 20 Nov 2008
The Vendée Globe leaders now negotiating the uncertainties of the Doldrums, some 440 miles north of The Equator, with the leading, compact group of five less than 50 miles apart after 10 days of racing, but overall the 26 strong fleet of Open 60’s is now strung over 2,100 miles of the north Atlantic.

At the front in the sticky, difficult heat of the Doldrums Loick Peyron, (Gitana Eighty) holds the lead which he first earned six days ago. The only skipper to have passed him during that period, Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) admitted today that he had suffered an auto-pilot problem yesterday which had halted his progress for more than four hours, a problem which compounded his losses as suffered returning from the eastern flank of the leading group.

Le Cam has now dropped to ninth on the current rankings, 93.3 miles off Peyron’s pace, and only averaged 4.6 knots in the four hours between the two position reports.

Peyron has slowed as he leads into the softer, more random breezes of the Doldrums and the average net gain to the trio behind – Seb Josse (BT), Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) and Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air) is four miles. Vincent Riou (PRB) the Vendée Globe holder, has gained seven miles and lies fifth, while Yann Elies (Generali) has risen two places as has Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) who returns to his best placing of the race so far seventh.

Behind the leading group of ten the almost inevitable advance of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) continues. He passed the Cape Verde islands early today 100 miles to the west in good breeze, just over 400 miles from the leaders.

Also playing catch up, Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Chéminees Poujoulat) was 240 miles SWW of the Canary Islands, Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) is off Madeira, and Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty, who re-started last, is now 300 miles SWW of Cape Finisterre, heading on a westerly track.

News from the Boats.

Loick Peyron - Gitana Eighty: 'I’m well rested, which is preferable given what lies in store for us. It’s currently 32°C inside Gitana Eighty and the water temperature is 29°C'. Loïck Peyron can’t resist a hint of mischievousness: 'I’m considering the possibility of having a little dip, especially if the wind continues to drop away! It’s gradually easing, very slowly. I think we’ll hold onto this for another 24 to 30 hours at this pace. Today the exit would seem to be located 300 miles ahead if all goes well. However, as we all know, launching into predictions here smacks slightly of utopia. You have to bear in mind that it could change for the better or worse without warning! For the time being it’s sunny, which contrasts with previous days and there is still no sign of the classic Doldrums.

'I forced my way down last night so as to position myself directly in line with the chasing pack. I may serve as a pacemaker to them of course but I didn’t want to find myself in an extreme situation. I am happy with my new position. My strategy is clear; to make headway to the south and above all not think about it too much. I’ve made my decision and I’m calmly sticking to it! I will be the first little boy to give sweets to the nasty lady and I really hope I don’t have to leave her too many….

'I’m helming a little in the shade but I sometimes leave the pilot to helm whilst I keep watch. You have to be on top of things as some very fine and tricky trimming is required. All’s well aboard though. I still have some fresh food in the locker and I’m making the most of it in this heat. I’m thoroughly respecting the rule of five fresh fruit and vegetables a day!'

Jérémie Beyou - Delta Dore: sums up the situation facing the frontrunners tonight by quoting a famous meteorologist, who said, 'When you leave land behind and go to sea, you completely change your time - space continuum: what takes just one minute on Earth, will take hours at sea. You have to learn to adapt.' He then adds his own personal thought about the current predicament, 'In calms like these, sailing just four miles can take several hours. And it's not over yet...'

Derek Hatfield, the skipper of Algimouss Spirit of Canada sailing off Madeira, sent this message to the race directors this afternoon: 'All OK on board, trying hard to make some inroads to boats ahead. There are some squalls around that are threatening to upset the sailing routine and I must be vigilant to avoid breakages during the storms. All the best, Derek'

Vendee Globe - Wednesday 15:00 HRS GMT. (FRA, unless stated)

1- Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) 21,136.4 to the finish
2- Seb Josse (BT) at + 27.3 miles to leader
3- Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) at + 44.1 miles to leader
4- Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) at + 44.8 miles to leader
5-Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) at + 54.3 miles to leader

Selected International

7- Mike Golding, GBR, (ECOVER 3) at + 86.5 miles
11- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 229.8 miles
12- Sam Davies, GBR,(ROXY) at + 268.5 miles
13- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 272.1 miles
16- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 374.3 miles
17- Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 387.1 miles
19- Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 445 miles
20- Unai Basurko, ESP, (Pakea Bizkaia) at + 520.7 miles
21- Rich Wilson, USA, (Great America III) at + 560 miles
22- Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) at + 846.8 miles
24- Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Cheminées Poujoulat) at + 1133 miles
25- Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) at + 1587.9 miles