Graham Dalton approaches Kerguelen Islands halt

by Velux 5 Oceans media on 17 Dec 2006 Graham Dalton, the Kiwi skipper sailing his Open 50 - A Southern Man AGD - is now just under 100 hundred miles from reaching the remote Kerguelen Islands. The small French islands mark the last mandatory waypoint in the route to Fremantle, Western Australia, but will also serve as a vital stopover for Dalton.

The experienced sailor needs to re-fuel and unravel his torn headsail which is furled on his bow. Race Director David Adams has been talking to the authorities in Kerguelen to make sure that they will be ready to receive the weary solo sailor and help him make his repairs as quickly as possible.

Dalton will be subject to the 24 hour penalty for receiving assistance. However, unlike previous pit stops in the Atlantic, Graham will be allowed to leave before the 48 hour penalty has expired. The net difference for the time penalty not served in Kerguelen will be added to his total time when he finally arrives in Fremantle. This decision has been taken by Race Director for safety reasons.

At the same time, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston sailing onboard the 60ft Saga Insurance has decided that he will not stop at the Kerguelen Islands. This effectively means that the sailing legend will move into third and overtake Dalton in terms of position and overall time. Knox-Johnston has been locked in battle with Dalton as they race through the Southern Ocean, separated at times by only a couple of hundred miles and racing through very similar conditions.

This will leave Knox-Johnston to race against Unai Basurko, with the Basque skipper approaching the finish line from the north and the British icon approaching from the south. It will be an interesting battle of youth versus experience, and a brand new boat in PAKEA versus and an older generation boat in Saga Insurance.

Back on land in Western Australia, Kojiro Shiraishi and Bernard Stamm are putting in the hours in the gym and the local swimming pool in order to bulk up and get fit for the next leg. The weekend also marks the arrival of Mike Golding and Alex Thomson, both of whom are visiting the skippers and the race.

Whilst Mike will look forward to the dinner with Kojiro that was negotiated as the British skipper overtook the Japanese hero near the equator, Alex will be in Fremantle to welcome his mentor Sir Robin and also take part in the Hopman Cup Pro-Am tournament with names such as Mark Philippoussis and Venus Williams.