Unbelievable Finish - EDS Atlantic Challenge

by Kingfisher Challenges on 26 Aug 2001 News update from Kingfisher Challenges to
sail-world.com

KINGFISHER at least on the leader board is still first this morning, but it is so close that any of the top 4 boats could still clinch leg 5. In thick fog, and conditions dominated by tide as much by the light wind, the crews have been battling all night to maintain their speed and position, relying on only the computer polling system to know where their competition are.

A fantastic comeback by the famous red boat...SILL has been hunting the leaders down for days...

At 0745 GMT
KINGFISHER - 35 miles to go
SILL - 37
ECOVER - 39

Updates on the website http://www.kingfisherchallenges.com regularly for the next few hours as they approach the finish....conditions in St.Malo are currently no wind and thick thick fog...

Listen to the latest audio from Nick onboard KINGFISHER by downloading :
In Realplayer http://64.23.31.209/clients/kf/latesta_uk.ram
Or Download in mp3 at http://64.23.31.215/cgi-bin/ftp/1/2508a_uk.mp3
Communications sponsored by British Telecom http://www.btopenworld.com

Also listen to audio from Nick & Adrienne yesterday talking about the differences between racing an Open 60 and a Volvo 60, interview by Mark Rudiger co-skipper of Assa Abloy Volvo 60
Download in mp3 at http://64.23.31.215/cgi-bin/ftp/1/king_ac_2408_uk.mp3 or
http://64.23.31.215/cgi-bin/ftp/1/king_nm_2408_uk.mp3

DIARY UPDATE FROM LAST NIGHT...
thanks to BT Openworld http://www.btopenworld.com

Time GMT : 15:43:06
Position 49° 18.8N 005° 08.4W
Heading/speed 99 12.25
Wind from 180 at 14.4 knots
Sail configuration is Full main Genoa

15:50gmt

DTF 120nm

onboard Kingfisher

Last pole reveals Ecover 9 miles astern. Since that pole 2 hours ago the
wind has been quite shifty and has decreased in strength. It is difficult to
decide whether or not to remain high on course, closer to the rhum line or
to sail slightly lower and faster. Our obvious objective is to try and stay
between the 3 boats immediately astern and the finish line. This is proving
to be very difficult as our opponents only come in to view every 3 hours in
the form of digits on our computer screen.

It has been raining for most of last evening and this morning but lately
visibility has improved. As a result of many years looking into the suns
reflection on the sea, we are forced to wait for Youngster to get up for his
on watch to search the horizon for the silhouette of Ecover, Fila or Sill.

We are really all very very close. Its actually quite incredible when you
consider that about a week ago ourselves in the North and Sill, Fila in the
south were separated by approx. 240nm. Now here we are a week down track and
potentially a few hours from the finish separated by a mere 21 miles.

We have yet another serious transition in the weather between us and the
finish. The basics are, whoever positions themselves and sails cleaner
through the shift will win.

The mood onboard is fantastic. It was very very difficult for us to watch
Ecover and Fila sail away from us whilst we attempted to rectify our mast
problems. We are not prepared to experience that emotion again this leg.

I think that we are happy and proud of the fact that we never let go of the
hope that we can rejoin this race and here we are. Were in the lead for the
time being. A position that we hope to maintain. Stage leader is a very
privileged position when you consider the calibre of this fleet. To hold
fast is the plan but I know that this is also the strategy of our
opponents.

Its going to be a toughie

Fingers crossed.

Nick and team

Position updated at :
http://www.edsatlanticchallenge.com/en/default.asp?pg=/en/viewer/raceviewer.htm
For further information on the race visit http://www.edsatlanticchallenge.com

POSITIONS : 25th August 2001, 07.45 GMT

1 Kingfisher , Ellen MacArthur / Nick Moloney, 35 miles from the Finish
2 Sill Plein Fruit, Roland Jourdain / Gael Le'Cleach, 2 miles behind leader.
3 Ecover, Mike Golding, 4 miles behind leader.
4 FILA, Andrea Scarabelli, 21 miles behind leader.
5 Gartmore, Josh Hall, 287 miles behind the leader
6 Alpha Graphics, Helena Darvelid, 704 miles behind leader.

Regular updates at http://www.kingfisherchallenges.com
Official race site http://www.edsatlanticchallenge.com