Gusty winds and Gutsy Options in Route du Rhum

by Event Media on 8 Nov 2006

While five out of the eleven ORMA skippers were recovering from their record breaking crossing into Pointe à Pitre last night, Steve Ravussin was setting off his distress beacon at 00h28. On the radio this morning, the Swiss skipper, aboard a cargo that rescued him, was litterally devastated by his capsize (see below).

Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) arrived today, 6th in the ranking but still in the frame of a record breaking. Alain Gauthier (Géant) should arrive overnight. Roland Jourdain (Sill et Véolia) is now less than 1,000 miles from his goal. The IMOCA are accelerating now, heading to the Southwest and the rhum ! Concerning the Class-40, we will begin to observe the results of the different options taken by the competitors and their weather routers. One thing is sure, and that is that the 'pro' skippers in the fleet are impressed by Phil Sharp and his option in the North. They even think that he will not only keep his first place but also install a confortable lead on his followers. But as usual, nothing is over yet, but once they all are inside the Trade Winds, it will be difficult to make gains over the leader.

ORMA 60 multihulls

On the radio today, Steve Ravussin explained he had been betrayed by his auto-pilot while he was safely sailing Orange Project in 25/30 knots of wind and chopped seas. Orange Project capsized after the pilot decided to loaf and then bear away while he was manoeuvring.

That's when the sterns dived into the waves generated by choppy seas and Steve went up to 16 meters high before the mast hit the waves and the boat resumed her reversal. 'I finished in the water, under the net and the backstays' he recounts. 'Thankfully, the mast did not break at once and I had my survival wet suit on. The boat straigthened up two times which enabled me to breathe.'

'This is the first time I thought I would not get out it alive' he says, whereas he had lived the same experience during the 2002 Route du Rhum. He even mentionned that he was not sure that he still is a 'good sailor'. The Russian cargo that rescued him will leave him in England on Monday.

The next to 'home in' is Alain Gautier (Foncia), then Thierry Dyprey (Gitana 12), Antoine Koch (Sopra Group), and Claude Thellier (Région Guadeloupe Terre de Passions)

IMOCA 60 mohonulls

The IMOCA fleet went through a cold front which occasioned exhausting manoeuvres overnight. Roland Jourdain (Sill et Véolia) now has to resist the attacks of Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux ) and Jean Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec), who are trying to catch up the 160 miles deficit they accumulated crossing the ridge and through this cold front.
Roland, Jean Pierre, Jean and Armel are now heading Southwest. The ones who positionned themselves the most to the North (Jean Pierre, Jean and Armel who took an option further up) are now sliding fast behind, fetching for stronger winds from the Northeast (20 to 25 knots) a bit further to their West.
Armel Le Cléac'H's (Brit'air) option to the North has payed off as he jumped from 7th to 5th place.

40-footer monohulls

Gutsy Phil Sharp (as the other sailors in the class qualify him), still heads fast in the West to hook up the Northwest shift ( 15-25 knots) of the low pressure system developping behind the cold front he is going through.

At the same time, the skippers in the south are awaiting until the Trade Winds build up to achieve more speed. But it was obvious for them today that the Britton – who took the riskiest option – would take a good benefit from it. Dominic Vittet talked today about a fair 300 miles of advance over the fleet when Phil Sharp will gibe and make the road to the South. We will start to assess the results of these different tactics by tomorrow.

It might be more difficult though for the other skippers in the North who followed Phil's tracks. The low pressure system is travelling, and the later you grab the shift (if you can catch it !), the less chance you have to run the extra miles to catch up with the rest of the fleet down South - The boats that put North in their route need to sail extra miles to go back down on the Route to Guadeloupe.

Dominic Vittet pointed out this morning (10:00 AM french time) that with this option Phil Sharp was closer to New York (1300 miles) than to Pointe à Pitre (1700 miles), but that he had enough speed to run the extra miles and still build a confortable lead.


QUOTES OF THE DAY

Phil Sharp / philsharpracing.com (10:00 AM):

I feel good event if it's fairly wet and lively. The boat is coming along nicely downwind. I did not went up the mast as the conditions are quite rough and I do not need to use the genoa yet. I am making gains downwind anyway.
A few 100 miles is the maximum gain I will make (with this option), I don't even think that will be that much. I'll head South and I will travel along the fleet, ideally getting the same weather system everyone else has. I will try to cover my tracks and hopefully stay in 1st place.

(about his position close to New York) I haven't been there yet, maybe I'd be able to make it to NY and be able to finish first in the Caraïbes (LAUGH!) Anyway, I am ready for the weather to get warmer, it's absolutely freezing out there. I've been in my sleeping bag almost all night !Wasn't it supposed to be nice blue water and sunny skies ? I am waiting for the Southern climat to show up!


Class leaders 4 :00 PM polling

IMOCA : Sill et Veolia / Roland Jourdain
Class 2 multi : Crêpes Whaou ! / Jean Yves Escoffier
Class 3 multi : Ideal Stelrad / Ross Hobson
Class 1 mono : Jeunes Dirigeants / P.Y Guennec
Class 2 mono : Artforms / Kip Stone (US)
Class 3 mono : Roaring Forty / Michel Kleinjans (BE)
Class 40 : philsharpracing.com / Phil Sharp

ORMA ARRIVALS
Lionel Lemonchoix (Gitana XI): 7d17h19'06' – speed average: 19.11
Pascal Bidégorry (Banque Populaire): 8d04h25'07' – speed average: 18.03
Thomas Coville (Sodeb'O): 8d13h39'02'- speed average: 17.22
Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant): 8d13h48'24' – speed average: 17.21 (close finish !)
Franck Cammas (Groupama 2): 8d17h55'17' – speed average: 16.87