EDS Atlantic Challenge

by Mark Turner on 17 Jul 2001 The monohulls of the EDS Atlantic Challenge have left the English Channel behind and have started their North Atlantic crossing, and are currently surrounded by three high pressure systems framing a low.
The crews are searching for the right option. Sill and Kingfisher have visibly opted for a northerly route, whilst the rest of the fleet seems to have chosen the south. Choices which could have important consequences depending on the weather.

* The low-pressure system on the North Atlantic should mean difficult sailing conditions in store, with strong South-westerly / Westerly winds for today Monday. The boats will be beating to windward, and those furthest north will be the most exposed.

* In the rankings, Sill has taken the lead over Ecover (2nd) and Kingfisher (3rd), according to the position report at 0442 GMT this Monday morning. Following up behind, Fila (4th), Gartmore (5th) and AlphaGraphics (6th).

Listen to the latest audio from Ellen 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/1/1607a_uk.mp3

EMAIL UPDATE FROM KINGFISHER THIS MORNING

Well a beautiful though nervous feeling this morning, wating for this depression to hit us. I'ts incredible to think just how this confused area of low pressure will quickly whip itself into a metoeorolical bomb. I guess it's always best to overerestimate things at sea. Believeing that
conditions will always be worse than we think - but I can't help thinking this morning that we really are in for a tough one. Looking at the real-time imaging we could see 40 knots in ths system shortly after midnight. Looking at the weather faxes it looks like we will see massive deepening. if at 00Z we had 40 - goodness knows howmuch we will get tonight. 55 is proably not far off.

Other than playing the waiting game all is well. Kingifisher is in great shape, and last niigh was quite beautiful as we sailed very slowly past the scillies. THe sky was a beautiful red, and the water seemed to relflect the relatively realxed mood on board. With seagulls and dolphins with us this morning, it seeemd like perfection.... We shall savour this moment - for it should be a while before we shall have such still conditions again.ex

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

Time GMT : 5:22:00
Position 00° 00.0N 000° 00.0W
Heading/speed 234 9.31
Wind from 289 at 10.6 knots
Pressure of 1022 Sea state - Moderate
Sail configuration is Full main Genoa
Percentage performance 100.3

POSITIONS : 15th July 2001, 07:42 GMT

1 Sill Plein Fruit, Jourdain / Le'Cleach, 3087 miles from the Finish
2 Ecover, Golding , 1 miles behind the leader.
3 Kingfisher , MacArthur / Moloney, 13 miles behind the leader.
4 FILA, Scarabelli ,44 miles behind the leader.
5 Gartmore, Hall, 54 miles behind the leader.
6 Alpha Graphics, Darvelid 68 miles behind the leader.
7 La Rage de Vivre, Pochet / Taberly, Not racing

LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING: ATLANTIC RECORDS

2. Cadiz / San Salvador
New York / The Lizard is not the only course of reference for setting transatlantic records. In 1984, Spain decided to create a race on the model of the route used by Christopher Columbus in 1492. At the time, it needed two months for Columbus's caravels to sail from Cadiz to the West Indies. The first edition of this Cadiz (Spain) / San Salvador (Bahamas) event set the initial record: 12 days for Philippe Poupon on Fleury Michon VII. Four years later, Serge Madec improved this time by nine hours on board Jet Services V. The holder of the New York / The Lizard record did it in 12 days 12h 30' 17'. This time held until June 2000. Then Club Med skippered by Grant Dalton and Bruno Peyron 'devoured' the 3884 miles (7193 km) of the course in 10 days 14h 53' 44', or 45 hours better than his predecessor.

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