OSTAR 2009 - La Promesse has substantial lead over fleet

by Marten Holden - Race Officer on 31 May 2009 Up early today to check the 0400 positions and make sure all my ducks are in a row. Is this the OSTAR? The blogs sound more like the Transat Jaques Vabre with talk of spinnakers up, wraps, surfing down waves and kite destruction.

Well they say we have climate change so perhaps in future the OSTAR will be a down wind flyer. I expect OSTAR conditions will return, they always do! Enjoy it while it lasts.

La Promesse (Jan Kees Lampe) has a substantial lead this morning over her nearest rival Jbellino (Rob Craigie). The lead was some 134 miles and La Promesse was logging over two knots faster.

The leaders in each class based on handicap are as follows based on the tracker information. No tracker reports for Oscar Mead or Geoff Alcorn.

Penduick IRC 1
La Promesse Jan Kees Lampe (NED)
Jbellino Rob Craigie (GBR)
Pure Solo Hannah White (GBR)

Gypsy Moth IRC 2
Vijaya Huiib Swets (NED)
Fanfan Uwe Rottgering (GER)
Dinah Barry Hurley (IRL)

Jester IRC 3
Jager Dick Koopmans (NED)
British Beagle Marco Nannini (ITA)
Tamarind Mervyn Wheatley (GBR)

Eira IRC 4
Elmarleen Will Sayer (GBR)
Olbia Christian Chalandre (FRA)
Flamingo Lady Michael Collins (GBR)

Pip Hildesley (Cazenove Capital) is back in the race having replaced her lower shrouds in SW Ireland. She is roaring along in a brave effort to catch up with the rest of the fleet. Her blog last night confirmed that she has a cracked rib so any movement in the boat must be extremely painful.

Okami (Jacques Bouchacourt ) has retired and is returning East. Rob Cumming (Egotripp)the 19 year old from Plymouth is still in Falmouth trying to sort out his many problems including loss of power and a torn mainsail.

Retirements to date
Anne Caseneuve Croisieres Anne Caseneuve (FRA) Broken Rudder
Reini Gelder Light for the World (AUT) Broken Rigging
Jonathan Snodgrass Lexia (GBR) Chafed ropes
Paul Brant Ninjod (GBR) Cracked bulkhead
Jacques Bouchacout Okami (FRA) Not known

Hannah White: Strange Day

Well I have to say that today has been a strange old day… it started at about 4 am when the wind that I was waiting to come right, never really did, forcing me further south than I would have like and therefore into the ‘hole’ that I have been in ALL day. After the excitement of the previous day’s speed I was so disappointed and assumed that the whole fleet would have sailed right past me!! As it happens most were thankfully in the same hole, only further south, so not much lost. The day has just been spent generally getting frustrated with the lack of wind and doing a few jobs.

It’s funny I should be over the moon as in approx 5 hours time we will be into Sunday which means I am passed the time that I retired 4 years ago, but somehow I just feel a little low.

I did have a very welcome visit from a little bird today who came and woke me up while I was having a little nap - it landed on my sleeping bag down below!! It stayed for a few hours, had a little rest, drank some water I put out for it and then carried on it’s way!!

I have just had a lovely chat with some friends who are at home in Lymington and by all accounts, lapping up the BBQ-ing weather that you guys are experiencing now! Lucky things, maybe that is why I am feeling a bit funny…I don’t mind being here, when everyone is in their offices!

No, honestly I am not complaining, this evening there is still a bit of late sunshine the spinnaker is up we are doing between 9 and 10 knots and it’s perfect…just wondering whether I can keep it up all night…that does mean I have to stay awake though!

That’s all for now. Enjoy your Saturday night. By the way, Mum thank you for the word search book - a wild night I am going to have!!
H xx
http://www.hannah-white.co.uk/blog.aspx

www.ostar2009.co.uk