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From storm force to calm After 70 knot winds delayed the start an unprecedented four days, light winds now dog race leaders ... but what is around the corner? November 11, 2000 The North Atlantic is showing a complex face this autumn, with stalled trough lines in the west and an odd storm track in the east that has had Europe in its sights for weeks. But race leaders in the Vendee Globe 2000, currently navigating through complex light airs, will hope for helpful winds from an approaching frontal system, as they leave the Bay of Biscay and close on Cape Finisterre. A weak low west of Gibralter, which looked like it would cause some headscratching with light and variable winds around its centre, has been pushed south and east and no longer rates a mention. Three day forecast This animated surface pressure map shows three days of forecasts based thanks to the UK Met Bureau. Note the low to the north and its associated isobars, extending to the south of Cape Finisterre, while a weak low west of Gibralter fades to the south and east leaving a ridge of high pressure - and light winds - in its place. Will the front to the north drive far enough south, with its resultant North West winds to aid the skippers in this year's Vendee Globe? Or will light winds need negotiating before the fleet reaches the Gulf of Cadiz?
Oops! Broken stuff costs valuable time Meanwhile, some top skippers have experienced great misfortune in having to return to Les Sables d'Olone to augment repairs. Patrick de Radigues on board Le Libre Belgique lost the use of his autopilot, Roland Jourdain, on board Sill – Matines – La Potagère, broke a gennaker halyard (and some teeth in the huge swell left-over from last week's gales - ouch!) while the greatest surprise happened to Mike Golding on board Group 4, who lost his mast and rig - plop - just like that! Poor Mike, this bloke stands a great chance to take one of the top three positions ... if he can restart ASAP! But he is no newcomer to bad luck, having clipped a sandbar off North Cape New Zealand in the last Around Alone solo yacht race while comfortably leading the fleet. He destroyed his keel and his chances of winning. The Frenchmen returned to the race within hours, while Mike has to wait a little longer (perhaps Monday?). However, the re-starters, particularly the two French skippers, may be able to take advantage of westerly flow generated by a strong frontal system to the north and catch up to the rest of the fleet before they, too, enter the zone of light winds to the south. Golding may also be able to take advantage of these winds, particularly if he gets some westing early and catches northerly flow circulating between the northern low and what exists of the Azores High. Front runners Leading the fleet is Yves Parlier, repeating his performance of four years ago. This guy loves to set a cracking pace, and nothing will stop him until something on his boat breaks. Trouble with this guy is he goes too hard, at the expense of his equipment. However, he is super keen for a win. We'll see. Marc Thiercelin, in second, rates a good chance having placed second in the last Around Alone, just behind Giovanni Soldini, and second in the last Vendee globe, behind Christophe Auguin. Good rater, and he knows how to keep his boat in one piece. Keep an eye on him. Michel Desjoyeaux lies in third place, and is racing the fleet's most radical design using kick-up rudders to prevent damage. We'll see. Mich Desj, as he is known to mates, loves testing new stuff. He pioneered the swing keel, now standard on the top Open 60s. Trouble with pioneering stuff in races ... it inevitably breaks! Of course, fleet positions now are somewhat meaningless, with more than 100 days to go. However, first through the doldrums and first to grab kind wind around the St Helena high will be first into the Southern Ocean ... mistakes made now will cost skippers later in the race. © weather-wise.com 2000 Comment from the official Vendee Globe website: November 10, 2000 The wind has been coming in from the Northwest and shifting West gradually, the small high pressure creating light, fickle winds with rain showers. In such conditions, the soloists have spent their first 24 hours mostly awake and manœuvring their boats throughout the night. |