Bostik facing 60 knots (Force 12) of wind

by Clémentine Chaignaud - SailingOne on 3 Nov 2008 'During the night of Saturday 1 November and Sunday, the wind went from 35-40 knots (Force 8) to 60 knots (Force 12). The sea was heavy and sailing facing the wind became really complicated and uncomfortable' Yann Clavier, boat captain and actual skipper of Bostik between Malta and Caen (Normandy - France) explained with modesty. 'At midday on Saturday, we left Palma(despite the gale) and we hoped for an improvement once getting closer to the Spanish Coast.

But, a depression within the depression created exceptional conditions. The wind gradually strengthened and we were forced to sail under a third reefed mainsail only.

During a race, we would have set the storm-jib to keep tacking along the coast. But in a test-navigation, we decided to take refuge at Denia (South of Valencia, before the Cap de La Nau). We have no damage to report. There is only the box of the inflatable perch that has been torn off by a wave'.

Yann Clavier, concerning his crew, the sailor native of Cherbourg (Normandy - France) Franck Ferey who is used to helming big racing units and a former watch leader on Geronimo, Olivier de Kersauson's Giant Trimaran, specified: 'In such case, it is important to have a competent and hardened sailor on your side, as the situation is very dangerous. You need to have the good reflexes at the right moment. With Franck we sail safely.'

And to add as a conclusion: 'The Veolia Oceans(R) one-design is at ease in the gale, but her crew undergoes great hardships!' Bostik left Denia this morning, using the engine, as the breeze had eventually faded away...

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