Golden Globe Race Ushers In July

[Photoboy]

Golden Globe Southern Ocean Rescue Update




DAY 83 UPDATE:
Australian rescue authorities lead multinational mission to rescue injured Indian GGR solo sailor from dismasted yacht deep in the South Indian Ocean
Media update 13:00 UTC 22.9.2018 Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Early today, Golden Globe Race HQ finally received a satellite text message from Abhilash Tomy, the injured Indian solo sailor dismasted in the South Indian Ocean some 1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia on Friday. ACTIVATED EPIRB.CANT WALK.MIGHT NEED STRETCHER Position: 39′ 25.297 S 077′ 30.629 E at 22 Sep 02:28 UTC

From subsequent messages, rescue authorities in Australia and India now know that the 39 year old Naval Commander is safe onboard his disabled yacht Thuriya, but lying immobilised in his bunk. His latest message timed at 21:57 UTC READ: CAN MOVE TOES. FEEL NUMB. CAN’T EAT OR DRINK. TOUGH 2 REACH GRAB BAG

The MRCC in Canberra has subsequently picked up the yacht’s emergency signals and is now co-ordinating a multinational rescue mission.





An executive jet has been despatched from Perth, Western Australia to assess the situation and is expected to reach the area at around 02:30 UTC Sunday. The plane has sufficient fuel to remain on station for 3 hours, when her crew will assess the damage to the 36ft Indian yacht and attempt to make radio contact with Tomy. The aircraft will also overfly Gregor McGuckin’s Irish yacht Hanley Energy Endurance also dismasted during the same storm. McGuckin has since set up a jury rig and is attempting to motor sail the 90-mile distance to Tomy’s position.




The Australian authorities are also repositioning a search and rescue plane to Reunion Island to assist in the rescue mission together with the Anzac class frigate HMAS Ballerat which is preparing to leave Perth. She will take 4-5 days to reach the area but has a helicopter and full medical facilities onboard.

Much closer is the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris, which expects to reach Thuriya some time Sunday PM UTC. She also has medical facilities onboard.

Independently, Indian authorities have despatched a military plane from Mauritius which could reach the area around 23:30 UTC today and also diverted the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Satpura, and tanker INS Jyoti Mission from exercises off South Africa to assist in the rescue.

At 10:00 UTC today, Gregor McGuckin made a satellite phone call to Race HQ. The Irish yachtsman reported that he had utilised his spinnaker pole to rig a simple jury rig but found that the alloy tube was bending in heavy gusts. He is also having trouble with the engine, which keeps stopping. This may be caused by fuel contamination when the yacht was rolled and dismasted on Friday. He is also having to hand steer after his wind vane self-steering was smashed by the falling mast. Regardless, Gregor is making best time to Tomy under the circumstances and estimates that he could reach Thuriya’s position between 18:00 and 24:00 UTC on Sunday. Race organisers are providing him with regular range and bearing details.

Estonian GGR skipper Uku Randmaa, currently 400 miles west of the two distressed yachts will take 3 days to reach the area, and plans to assist Gregor.

Dutchman Mark Slats who is some 250 miles SW of the rescue area, has been excused from turning back to assist. He is still facing 40-knot winds and 15m seas and was washed overboard during one of several knockdowns early today, but saved by his safety tether. He reports that he has never seen conditions as bad. One wave crashed down on his boat Ophen Maverick, smashed through the companionway washboards and flooded the yacht’s electrics causing a small fire, which was quickly extinguished.

The rest of the GGR fleet have done well to make north to avoid a second viscous storm now approaching from the west, which should now pass south of them. There will still be big swells and strong winds, but nothing like the middle fleet experienced over the past 24 hours

Race organisers continue to work closely with The Australian Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre and are extremely grateful for the efforts being made by all involved.

https://goldengloberace.com

[Photoboy]

Progress For Abhilash



DAY 85 – RESCUE UPDATE:
Injured solo sailor rescued successfully by French fisheries patrol vessel
Abhilash Tomy ‘conscious and talking’
Media update 07:30 UTC 23.9.2018 Les Sables d’Olonne, France





Day 4 of the rescue of injured Indian Golden Globe Race solo sailor Abhilash Tomy from his dismasted yacht Thuriya approximately 1,900 miles SW of Perth Western Australia

The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris reached Tomy’s yacht at 05:30 UTC and her crew successfully transferred him to the ship. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra which co-ordinated the rescue reported: “Tomy is conscious, talking and onboard the Orisis. Australian and Indian long range P8 Orion reconnaissance aircraft are circling overhead. Thuriya’s position is 39 32.79S and 78 3.29E




Weather conditions are favourable: 15-20 knots from the South West, 2m swells and good visibility. A radio briefing was held between the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre on Reunion Island, a doctor located on Amsterdam Island, and the master of the Osiris before the French crew boarded Thuriya from Zodiac inflatable boats to administer immediate first-aid and assess his condition.

Abhilash Tomy, 39, is a Commander in the Indian Navy and has been confined to his bunk, unable to move since his yacht was rolled through 360° and dismasted in a vicious Southern Ocean storm last Friday.

Fellow GGR skipper Gregor Mcguckin whose yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also dismasted in the same storm last week, is making 2.2 knots towards Thuriya’s position, sailing under jury rig. The 32-year old Irishman is still 25 miles to the West and in radio contact with the reconnaissance aircraft. He is not in distress but has asked for a controlled evacuation from his yacht.









Faced with a 1,900 mile sail across the Southern Ocean to Western Australia under a small jury rig and without an engine (his fuel was contaminated when the yacht capsized), this is a responsible decision taken by a professional sailor when all the rescue assets are close by. The alternative would have been to continue sailing singlehanded without the aid of self-steering (also smashed in the capsize) and risk having to call on the Rescue Services again should he be disabled further in another storm.

Once the two solo yachtsmen are safely aboard the Osiris the French fisheries patrol ship will proceed to Amsterdam Island where the rescued sailors will be given a full medical examination. The hospital on Amsterdam Island is well equipped with X-ray and ultrasound equipment.

Race organisers continue to work closely with The Australian Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre and are extremely grateful for the efforts being made by all involved.

[Prince of Whales]

Great that they are both safe.

They should have scuttled the boats though.

[Photoboy]

Great that they are both safe.

They should have scuttled the boats though.

STATEMENT ON Scuttling GGR YACHTS.

Gregor McGuckin Empowered by Hanley Energy

During the controlled evacuation of Hanley Energy Endurance, McGuckin was instructed to leave the vessel afloat. The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris instructed McGuckin that scuttling the vessel would be in breach of International Maritime Regulations. Hence, McGuckin removed all debris from the deck that could become separated, secured all equipment on board, and ensured the AIS beacon was active. The power source to the AIS device is solar panels which should remain active without any outside assistance reducing the risk to other vessels. Precautionary steps were also taken to ensure the relatively small amount of fuel onboard is secure.

Abhilash Tomy's Yacht THURIYA "MAY BE" towed to the anchorage in St Paul Island by the Indian Navy to attempt a salvage operation.






Abhilash Tommy First Picture of a VERY HAPPY guy Tomy! in Hospital on AMSTERDAM ISLAND with his YB3 satellite communicator by his side. That was his only link to the world while laying on his bunk in the disabled Yacht. We are all excited to see his famous cheesy grin and grateful for the medical care being provided by the one doctor on the island.. THANKS and welcome back TOMY!!! WOOP WOOP!

From COMMANDER Abhilash Tomy, reported by Indian Navy Tweet: The sea was unbelievably rough. Me & my boat Thuriya were pitched against the nature's might. I survived because of my sailing skills, the soldier bit in me and my Naval training cut-in for that fight - Cdr Abhilash Tomy. Very thankful to #IndianNavy & all who rescued me #GGR2018

[Prince of Whales]

Well that explains that.

Not that I agree, but rules are rules.

[Photoboy]

September 27 GGR UPDATE


https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/

DAY 88 – GGR skipper Istvan Kopar goes to the aid of solo yachtsman in South Indian Ocean
Dateline 05:00 UTC 27.9.2018 – Les Sables d’Olonne, France

At 20:00 UTC on 26th September, Golden Globe Race HQ in Les Sables d’Olonne received a request from the manager of the 32ft sailing yacht Selene for assistance from any GGR yacht in the area because her skipper Kjell Litwin is running out of water.

Selene is currently some 3000 miles west of Perth, Western Australia and unexpectedly has only 10 ltrs of water left onboard.

Istvan Kopar, the American/Hungarian GGR solo skipper sailing his Tradewind 36 yacht Puffin, was 20 miles to the west and was asked by Race HQ to assist.

Selene‘s skipper Kjell Litwin, is on a solo non-stop circumnavigation, having left Falmouth UK on the 13th June this year. She was on the GGR marina rafted up with the GGR fleet for the Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston‘s departure in the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968.




Litwin reports that he unexpectedly lost all water onboard.

During the past few hours GGR Race HQ has has confirmed that Istvan Kopar is happy to share his water and has a container onboard. The plan is for Istvan to throw a rope to Seline‘s skipper with a 20Ltr water container attached as Puffin sails past. Kopar can use his motor on approach.

Puffin‘s GPS position is being relayed by Race HQ and Kopar has confirmed that his is now in VHF radio contact with Selene‘s skipper.

Istvan is sailing in 30-35kt NW winds and 3-4m seas. It is still dark on scene with first light approx. an hour away. The wind and sea is forecast to moderate slowly during the day.

Seline is NOT in distress. In the opinion of GGR organisers, Kjell Litwin, the skipper of Selene knows that he is likely to catch rain water over the next month while sailing to Australia. But it is sensible seamanship to ask for water from any close vessels just in case. Istvan Kopar is more than happy to assist another sailor. Both yachts are expected to meet in the Southern ocean today.

GGR HQ will update progress as it evolves on www.facebook.com/goldengloberace/

[Photoboy]

October 1st GGR Update!




HE IS BACK!!! Gregor McGuckin Empowered by Hanley Energy arrived into Rockingham, Perth Western Australia today (Monday 1 October 2018) aboard the Australian naval vessel HMAS Ballarat. The 32 year old Irish sailor originally embarked a solo, non-stop sailing race around the world when his yacht, the Hanley Energy Endurance was dismasted in an extreme storm. From Goatstown in Dublin, Ireland - McGuckin had attempted to be the first Irish man ever to complete the 30,000 mile race around the globe which is attempted without assistance and with no modern technology.


Speaking to media in Perth, Gregor McGuckin said ‘It's fantastic to be here in Perth. While Australia was never my intended final port, I couldn't be happier and more grateful right now. My journey started some 92 days ago, when I departed France on the Hanley Energy Endurance in an attempt to sail alone non-stop around the world. In a horrendous storm, my yacht was capsized and dismasted as was my competitor Abhilash Tomy's yacht. I was uninjured and was planning to sail to safety, however, Abhilash was not so lucky. He suffered a back injury and was in immediate danger so I built a jury rig and set a course for his location. Thankfully, we were both picked up and Abhilash is now recovering.


The real heroes today are the professionals that coordinate and execute such missions. All services were tested to their limits and excelled. The international cooperation between Australia, France, and India has proven that no matter how remote, there is always cover and the investment in naval assets and training paid off. I understand the Ballarat crew had returned early from leave and I pass on my deep gratitude to them and their families for their dedication to duty.


McGuckin continued ‘Of course the Golden Globe Race continues and my thoughts are very much with my fellow competitors. My incident merely underpins the challenges they face and I am sure we would all wish the remaining boats a safe passage until the race completes next year. I would also like to thank Don McIntyre and his team for their support. Right now I want to spend time with my family and take some time. I will reflect on my experience and address all matters and questions at great length in due course. Thanks again to all involved. I will forever be indebted for your efforts.



https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/


FRENCH LANGUAGE REPORT 01/10/2018 #GGR2018

Big brake on the fleet 2018 Fleet! While Jean-Luc van den heede continues his descent to Hobart, of which he is only 480 miles (on the direct road), to nearly 6 KNOTS IN THE DRIZZLE TASMANIAN, Mark Slats, a Knot less fast at 1460 miles still loses a bit of land on the southern edge of a band of high pressure that will move around him for the next two days... but after the huge storm he survived, the Dutch Does not seem to have the taste of complaining and appreciate this peaceful navigation.

Same thing for uku randmaa. Third to 2150 miles from the leader, Estonian appreciates the small north-West wind of about 2150 knots that push it to the door. But he also should see developing a big bubble without wind in the next two days.

700 miles away, Susie Goodall is only two knots away, and the middle platoon has a little bit of a rambling. If the young English enjoyed a short moment of the visit of a whale she could have almost touched, she will have to wait a good day before seeing the north wind come back a little.

Behind, the undersides of tapio lehtinen, istvan the and Loic Lepage (Category Chichester) are struggling to point directly to the east. And by the way, the three sailors are all sailing around, at least until tomorrow before the winds come back in two days.

All in the back, Igor Zaretskiy and Mark Sinclair are struggling to find their rhythm in the Indian Ocean. The Russian sailor, who fights with hand pain and retractor worries is only two knots while he should sail more than double and captain coconut is still so close to the ribs he captures African radios.

Christophe



************************

Latest satellite Tweets from the GGR fleet ..#GGR2018

Kopar: GDPUFFINandILEFTHOMELAND4/30,5MONTHSAGOand2/3OFTHERACESTILLAHEAD /
"Puffin et moi avons quitté la maison le 30/4, il y a 5 mois et 2/3 de la course encore devant nous"...
See More
Latest satellite Tweets from the GGR fleet ..#GGR2018

Kopar: GDPUFFINandILEFTHOMELAND4/30,5MONTHSAGOand2/3OFTHERACESTILLAHEAD /
"Puffin and I left home on 30/4, 5 months ago and 2/3 of the race still ahead of us"

Goodall: AFINWHALECAMETOVISITSOCLOSEICOULDALMOSTTOUCHIT /
"a whale came to visit me so close that I could almost touch it"

Lehtinen: FRONT, POLE IN, GYBE, G1 UP, CALM, DICKINSON TIME /
"front, Jib, G1 climb, calm, time Dickinson"

Zaretskiy: ESMERALDA OK
Slats: NE10KT BUT VERY COMFORTEBLE SAILING AND GETTING SOUTH AGAIN /
"No 10 nds but navigation very comfortable and going south again"

Lehtinen: WIND! SSE, BEATING WITH H1andR2, ASTERIA WEATHER! /
" Wind! Ess, advancing with h1 and r2, time for asteria!"

Randmaa: TODAY WE HAVE NICE SAILING CONTITIONS.NW-14KN /
" today we have good navigation conditions. No-14 nds "

Heede: Drizzle Tasmanian since last night! I'm getting water. Wind Se /
"Tasmanian rain since yesterday! I'm collecting water. Wind SE"

Kopar, ttransmiton7and8mhz, restocked /
"message for amateur radio followers well received but I can, transmission 7 AND 8 Mhz, the rest is ok"

Sinclair: STILL RECEIVING S AFRICAN AM RADIO STATIONS-SLOW PROGRS EAST /
"still receiving South African Radio Stations-Low Progress East"

Lehtinen: W BACKING, ENE, HEADING SSE 2 STAY IN BREEZE /
"returning from the west, ene, navigating to the ess to stay in the breeze"

Goodall: 3MONTHSATSEATODAY /
"3 months spent at sea today"

[Photoboy]

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede Passes Hobart Gate

DAY 96 – NEWS UPDATE
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede ETA at Hobart film gate is 06:00 ESAT Saturday, 20:00 UTC Friday
Dateline 10:00 UTC 5.10.2018 – Les Sables d’Olonne, France






At 08:00 UTC Friday, (18:00 local time) French Race leader Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. was 40 miles from the BoatShed.com film gate at Hobart, Tasmania, his Rustler 36 Matmut making 3.7knots. the 73-year old skipper is expected to sail in to Storm Bay and cross the line shortly after Dawn at 06:00 local time Saturday (20:00 UTC Friday)




All skippers are compelled to pick up a buoy and stop in Storm Bay for a minimum of 90 minutes to hand across film and letters, be interviewed by the media and meet family and team members. No one can board the yachts or provide any assistance and the skipper cannot disembark.



Race HQ live link and press conference in Les Sables d’Olonne
Media wishing to attend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede linked press conference at Race HQ in Les Sables d’Olonne at approx 21:00 French time, should contact Céline Trommenschlager – GGR Manager celine@goldengloberace.com + 33 (0)6 74 83 11 30

What is happening with the two Golden Globe Race yachts abandoned following the rescue of Gregor McGuckin and Abhalish Tomy?
Irishman Gregor McGuckin made no mention about abandoning his yacht Hanley Energy Endurance at the press conference held in Perth on Monday and has been unavailable for comment since. On 26th September Neil O’Hagen, spokesman for Team Ireland issued the following statement which the GGR republished in that day’s press update:

“During the controlled evacuation of Hanley Energy Endurance, McGuckin was instructed to leave the vessel afloat. The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris instructed McGuckin that scuttling the vessel would be in breach of international maritime regulations. Hence, McGuckin removed all debris from the deck that could become separated, secured all equipment on board, and ensured the AIS beacon was active. The power source to the AIS device is solar panels which should remain active without any outside assistance, reducing the risk to other vessels. Precautionary steps were also taken to ensure the relatively small amount of fuel onboard is secure.”

On the same day Capt Dilip Donde, manager for Abhilash Tomy‘s campaign reported that there were plans to salvage Tomy’s yacht Thuriya, left drifting in the Indian Ocean when he was recovered by the crew of the French Fisheries Patrol ship Osiris on Monday. “The plan is for the Indian Navy to tow Thuriya to St Paul’s Island some 40 miles north, and leave a crew to make repairs and sail her to land.”

The Indian Navy have been unavailable to comment further.

GGR Race organisers believe the reason for the French Fisheries Protection vessel Osisis not allowing these skippers to scuttle their boats is because the waters surrounding this string of islands in the South Indian Ocean is disignated as an International Marine Park, and protected by law from being poluted deliberately. Responsibility for the yachts rests with the skippers, and not the Race organisers.

Commander Abhilash Tomy is expected to return to India tomorrow and will hopefully provide an update on his yacht.



https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/

Latest Satelite Tweets, Tapio got passager, the race to Hobart continue #GGR2018
Jean-Luc van den #Heede (via satellite) 8C REPARTI APRES TOUS LES MEDIA QUELQUES VERIF DE DRISSES.SYMPA / Back to the sea after Media and fix my sail, I am happy.

Mark #Slats (via satellite) 68 NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD NEED SUNSCREEN IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN / NE PENSEZ JAMAIS QUE J'AI BESOIN D'UN ÉCRAN SOLAIRE DANS L'OCÉAN SUD...
See More
Latest Satelite Tweets, Tapio got passager, the race to Hobart continue #GGR2018
Jean-Luc van den #Heede (via satellite) 8C REPARTI APRES TOUS LES MEDIA QUELQUES VERIF DE DRISSES.SYMPA / Back to the sea after Media and fix my sail, I am happy.

Mark #Slats (via satellite) 68 never thought I would need sunscreen in the southern ocean / never think I need a solar screen in the south ocean

Mark #Sinclair (via satellite) 88 becalmed overnight for straying too far north? / becalmed during the night, punishment to stand too far north

Susie #Goodall (via satellite) 73-Littlewindandthickfog / small wind and thick fog

Uku #Randmaa (via satellite) nice Saturday sailing. / nice Saturday sail.

Igor #Zaretskiy (via satellite) ESMERALDA OK

Tapio #Lehtinen (via satellite) 6 got the cutest passanger, baby petrel, sat on my boot, then lap / a nice passenger aboard, a baby petrel, sitting on my boot and on my thigh

[Single Hander]

Boat and skipper look to be in good shape!

Still some challenging sailing ahead!

[Photoboy]

https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/


FRENCH UPDATE 10/10/2018 : #GGR2018

100 days! Just over 100 days ago, the skippers of the golden globe race 2018 took the departure of the sands of olonne, 100 days without interruption that they trace their ephemeral wake around the globe, on this immense sea at So many faces. Left five days ago from Hobart's drop point in an ideal weather, Jean-Luc van den heede has just wiped his first blow on the New Zealand road, which is approaching just over 6 Average knots. The strengthening of the south wind will lift a large wave of 6 TO 7 metres in the next few days, which will fortunately come back as this impressive leader gets closer to the tip of the south island of this country of adventure.

Like the magician gandalf, the Dean of the race continues to pave the way for an out-of-STANDARD QUEST THAT ONLY 9 Sailors are still able to see the end. And that the road is long... if experience and preparation without fault, the stainless envy and to all say talent have worn Jean-LUC VAN DEN HEEDE 1700 miles from Mark Slats, his first competitor, his pursuers Maintain more complicated reports with the elements. With his viking tunes, the Dutch giant traces his road hard for now, always close. In a relatively weak wind, Mark sees his bow crashing vague after wave, without it being able to do much... and it will last for a while!

This is not the case of uku randmaa, third to 600 miles. If the wind remains light for now, the next few days promise great changes. A series of depressions is approaching the back of the fleet. Tomorrow, the first reaching Tapio Lehtinen then Istvan and finally Susie Goodall. In Chichester, Loic Lepage will escape at the worst of the storm. The Storm promises to grow as it returns the competitors before reaching its peak Wednesday at the beginning of the evening. This is the end of the mistakes of the Indian ocean... Fortunately, the sailors concerned are relatively north and should not suffer long the strongest of the wind.

4600 miles from the leader, Igor Zarestskiy and Mark Sinclair are not here yet. Both are stuck on the edge of a high-pressure system that they try to escape by driving south, to hang a diet of winds that will allow them to curve their path to the east, in the right direction! If they are good, they close the March of a league of adventurers inhabited by an immense quest, where everyone must inspire the greatest respect. Already 100 days of solitude at sea...

Christophe


Latest satellite TWEETS from the GGR fleet..tough sailing and gales ahead #GGR2018

Coconut : JUST ENOUGH BREEZE TO FILL THE SAILS-TOUCH WOOD IT HOLDS 29T /
"juste assez de brise pour gonfler les voiles- Je touche du bois pour que ça se maintienne à 29T"...
See More
Latest satellite TWEETS from the GGR fleet..tough sailing and gales ahead #GGR2018

Coconut : JUST ENOUGH BREEZE TO FILL THE SAILS-TOUCH WOOD IT HOLDS 29T /
"just enough breeze to inflate the sails-I touch wood to keep it to 29 t"

Istvan : GDPPLSFWDTOEVATHATHFLCDISNOTREADBLESOICANNOTCHANGE FREQUENCY /
"transmettreàevaquehflcdn' estpaslisibledoncjenepeuxpaschangerlafréquence"

Tapio: TRYING 2 B PHILOSOPHICAL OF SUZIE ESCAPING and ISTVAN CATCHINGUP /
"trying to be a philosopher about Susie's escape and istvan's return"

Igor : ESMERALDA OK

Mark Slats: HARD ONTHE WIND LITTLE SLOW SLAMMING INTO WAVES /
"difficult in the wind a little slow slamming into the waves"

Jean-Luc: I pay my 2 beautiful days with a good shot of vent40kt. Tvb /
"I'm paying for my 2 beautifull days with a good gale 40 noeuds. Everything is good"

Uku : HEADING TO E WITH LIGHT N WIND.BUT THERE WILL BE CHANGES. /
" heading towards the light wind n. But there will be change. "

Istvan : GDMSGTOHAMFOLLOWERS:HFLCDGOTBLINDBUTSTILLRECEINGON 7MHZ /
" Messageauxradioamateurs:HFLCDplusd'écranmaisrecev anttoujourssur7MHZ"

Mark Slats : OVERRUN BY HIGH PRESSURE OVERNIGHT-TRYING TO ESCAPE SOUTH! /
" exceeded by a high-pressure system during the night trying to escape south!"

Jean-Luc: tonight it secalme1 little maisdemain night new wind! /
"Tonight it will calm down a little but tomorrow evening another gale!"
·

[Photoboy]

October 12 Update: Slats Struggles With Tasmania



https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/

Definitely, Mark Slats is really struggling with Tasmania! He can no longer have those north-East winds that mishandle his boat by forcing him to sail near in an uncomfortable wave that makes his rustler 36 in the waves, at an infernal rhythm... worse, his road Slightly south imposed by the wind and the sea brings it closer to each hour a little more of the prohibited navigation area (below the 42th parallel) established to avoid competitors the worst time. If he gets too close, he might be forced to fire on board... a real nightmare!

To Console Himself, he can always say that almost 1700 miles away, the leader is not at the party either approaching the strait strait. Finished the ideal hours that followed the mandatory hook of Jean-Luc van den heede by Hobart. The Tasmanian sea clearly shows an impressive face by lifting a large wave of 6 TO 7 metres that hits the flank of its sailboat, bringing a lot of moisture. The trajectory of the Dean of the race could surprise because relatively north has just 100 miles from the coast of New Zealand. But the current South-South-East wind is going to fire South-West at the end of the day and allow Jean-Luc to sting south frankly, while the sea begins to calm down. Once again, what a sense of timing!

Far from there, almost 2400 miles away, the Dutch Giant's misfortunes do the business of uku randmaa, who, in the approach of Cape Leeuwin, eats a few more miles every day. And this should further increase with the reinforcement in its rear table of carrier winds that will allow it to slide in the right direction, full east, without being worried about a large depression in training further west.

It is the middle platoon that will have to deal with it, even though the relatively north position of Susie Goodall, Tapio Lehtinen, istvan the and Loic Lepage (Category Chichester), encouraged by a race direction alert message, should allow To avoid the biggest of the system. The General reinforcement of the wind in the next few days, which could be accompanied by a significant decrease in temperature, at least in felt, should also allow them to go back to Mark Slats, who could see training before him within four days A Large area of high pressure...

At 4700 miles from the leader, Igor Zaretskiy and Mark Sinclair seem at least to have managed to escape this other wind-free zone that has slowed them down in recent days Further to the south, the Australian leads to nearly 5 knots while the Russian, reduced by a small wing plane (following the loss of its retractor and front sails), finds a little speed (3,4 Knots). Relatively north, these two skippers are not promised long sliding slips. Zones without wind and face wind are again on the agenda of the coming days...

Christophe

[Photoboy]

Slats Injured In Double Knock Down




DAY 106 – NEWS UPDATE
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede first into the Pacific
Abhilash Tomy on the mend after major back surgery
Gregor McGuckin returns home to Irish welcome
Dateline 16:30 UTC 15.10.2018 – Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede continues to extend his lead over the 7 remaining Golden Globe Race yachts now stretched across 4,800 miles of the Southern Ocean. This last weekend saw the 73 year old Frenchman follow in the wake of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s yacht Suhaili 50 years ago by cutting inside Stewart Island on the southern tip of New Zealand to navigate through the treacherous Fouveaux Straight at night.

The short cut has gained him a further day advantage over second placed Dutchman Mark Slats (Rustler 36 Ophen Maverick) who is now some 2,000 miles astern, and not expected to reach the BoatShed.com Hobart film gate before Monday 22nd of October




https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/

STOP PRESS…STOP PRESS
Mark Slats injured during knock-down
At 16:00 UTC today, Dutch skipper Mark Slats alerted Race HQ that his yacht had just suffered two knock-downs in quick succession and that he had been hit by a toolbox flying across the cabin which may have resulted in him sustaining a cracked rib.

The tough Dutchman was not too concerned about the injury, but more about the sudden change in conditions. He reported that the winds had suddenly picked up to 30-35knots and that a 3 metre southerly swell was hitting Ophen Maverick on the beam. Race HQ is monitoring the situation and will make a safety call to Slats tomorrow.



News from India is that Abhilash Tomy, who underwent major back surgery last Thursday following his rescue in the Southern Ocean, is expected to make a full recovery. Capt. Sharma visited him in the INHS Kalyani Naval Hospital and tweeted “This naval legend now has a back of steel. The docs are totally floored by his sense of humour”
Tomy responded “Platinum Sir. My value has just gone up!”

Gregor McGuckin who was dismasted in the same storm also made the news on his return to Ireland today. Recalling his ordeal aboard his yacht Hanley Energy Endurance which suffered three knock-downs in quick succession, he admitted: “We were in the worst possible place to be in at the worst possible time” The seas were huge – 15 metres high and the biggest problem I had was keeping the boat facing downwind and not slewing round to be beam-on.”

When he heard from Race Control in Les Sables d’Olonne that Abhilash Tomy had been injured some 90 miles to the north he set up a jury rig to sail towards him, ”I thought I might be first on the scene – but praying that I wouldn’t be!”

It’s hard work in the calms too!
Since that storm conditions in the South Indian Ocean have been more kindly, but that can cause problems too as Mark Slats reported today.

“The last 14-15 days have been the heaviest so far. Everyone thinks that the storms are heavy, but the calms are much heavier. Its much more work. It all started just around 30 September; the wind left but there was still a lot of sea. After 3 days the sea was flatter, but when you sail with your spinnaker up you are busy day and night.

Just before this, I went into the water to clean the bottom of my boat. I was surprised how many barnacles were attached to the bottom. First I scraped the boat with a filling knife, then with sandpaper before finishing with a scourer. I came out of the water like an ice cube and set up the spinnaker. I flew it for 100 hours. So I have not slept for 100 hours, just naps of fifteen minutes.

I have also become kind of scientist. There were all kinds of jellyfish around the boat. Very special. In the calms I suddenly had a whale next to the boat, really super cool. He just came to take a quick glance and then left again.

Now I have NE wind. Sailing close hauled is boring. The boat comes loose and then it falls down again. Sleeping is very difficult because I am woken up by the waves. Sometimes it quiet for 15 minutes but then you have waves again and the boat comes loose again.

I can tell you, ‘things are not for free’ this moment of the race. It’s annoying. Fortunately, I make progress. I am not going that fast, but, I make an average of 5 knots. I sailed for 5 days close hauled. Yesterday the wind turned to the East 5 knots, almost no wind, then to the North, then back to the West. For the first time in 15-16 days I’ve very good wind now. I don’t know for how long. I do have south wind now, I am sailing half wind. I do 5 knots; it’s super nice.

A low-pressure system has passed over me. That gave a lot of rain last night; I was busy all night with jerry cans and buckets catching 70 litres of water. It’s nice to be able to drink just a little bit more. I even took the luxury this morning of brushing my teeth with fresh water – something I have not been able to do since the Atlantic.

I do not look forward to the Hobart [film drop]. I would rather have just sailed through. It may sound strange, but I am here in my own world. It sounds very weird but it makes sense to just continue. But then I do not have a map of Hobart any more, so that will be exciting!”

Water, water everywhere
Third placed Estonian Uku Randmaa (Rustler 36 One and All) also caught a good measure of fresh water yesterday but expressed concern that Britain’s Susie Goodall sailing her Rustler 36 DHL Starlight has been making up ground on his position. Uku is expected to reach the BoatShed.com Hobart film drop some time between 27-28th October with Goodall a couple of days behind.

Susie, who has been worried about dwindling water stocks in recent weeks, got more than she bargained for at the weekend after leaving one of her deck hatches open during a downpour. “I got more water in the boat than at any time during the race and now everything is wet.” She told Race HQ today.

Sixth placed American/Hungarian Istvan Kopar (Tradewind 35 Puffin) is also making good progress 7 miles behind Finland’s Tapio Lehtinen (Gaia 36, Asteria) but continues to be plagued by niggling problems. Without a working SSB radio, he cannot pick up commercial weather forecasts nor the accurate time signals required for celestial navigation. He’s relying on a wind-up clock instead. This past week, everything seemed to get on top of him when he messaged: “ANOTHER DAY IN GGR WHEN I MISS MY FAMLY & HOME TERRIBLY & QUESTION MY SANITY”

At the back of the fleet Russia’s Igor Zaretskiy and Australian Mark Sinclair appear to be competing to see who can make this global adventure last the longest. Now some 5,000 miles behind Race leader Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, they have been going nowhere fast in recent days and face having the shadow of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s virtual Suhaili overtake them. Both have stayed resolutely north of the Roaring Forty latitudes since rounding the Cape of Good Hope and are only now biting the bullet and heading southwards towards the westerly air-stream.

Award winners
Are Wiig was awarded a seamanship medal by the Norwegian Sailing Association his achievement in recovering from a 360° roll and dismasting 400 miles south of the Cape of Good Hope and sailing his OE32 yacht Olleanna under jury rig unaided the 400 miles north to Cape Town.

Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin has been voted Yachtsman of the Month by Afloat magazine readers, for recovering from a similar situation and going to the aid of fellow competitor Abhilash Tomy.

Latest positions at 12:00 UTC today 15.10.18

Jean- Luc VDH (FRA)Rustler 36 Matmut
Mark Slats (NED)Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick
Uku Randmaa (EST) Rustler 36 One and All
Susie Goodall (GBR) Rustler 36 DHL Starlight
Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) Gaia 36 Asteria
Istvan Kopar (USA) Tradewind 35 Puffin
Mark Sinclair (Aus) Lello 34 Coconut
Igor Zaretskiy (RUS) Endurance 35 Esmeralda
CHICHESTER CLASS

Loïc Lepage (FRA) Nicholson 32 Laaland
RETIRED

Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Rustler 36 Lazy Otter
Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Tradewind 35 Sagarmatha
Nabil Amra (PAL) Biscay 36 Liberty II
Antoine Cousot (FRA) Biscay 36 Métier Intérim
Philippe Péché (FRA) Rustler 36 PRB
Are Wiig (NOR) OE 32 Olleanna
Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance
Abhilash Tomy (IND) Suhaili replica Thuriya
Francesco Cappelletti (ITA) Endurance 35 007

[Photoboy]

Good News Bad News For Susie Goodall

"That’s 2 capes under the belt! She passed Cape Leeuwin today and is flying along at 6.6 knots, making impressive gains on 3rd place"



https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/


Golden Globe Race
3 hrs ·


UPDATE! Serious storm forming over Susie Goodall Racing in next 24hrs. Yesterday we advised her to make north immediately. But overnight the storm has intensified and formed up much earlier and further west to her position. At current speed she is likely to be at the end of her name in the first picture which shows weather 24hrs from now but her boat position now.. Second picture is about 7hrs after first picture. 55kts gusting 70kts with very confused sea. Have advised UKU to make North. system moves away very fast.


Wewdnesday



Thursday


Friday

UPDATE.Following suggestion just sent to Susie. Always try safe SW or NW course as wind changes directions if possible. NO Easting WEST is BEST. 0600UTC 17th 20-25ktN 1200UTC calm 1800UTC 45kt S BIG storm moves away to EAST.

Latest satellite TWEETS from the #GGR2018 fleet ..WE have advised Jean Luc Vandenheede to slowdown to miss a BIG storm.....and Tapio and Istvan are chatting on VHF..

Jean-Luc : DEMAIN JE PASSERAI180DEGRE DES LONGITUDES E A CELLES W.RETOUR! /
"Tomorrow i'll cross 180 degree of longitude E, ready for Westerns. On the way back!"

Tapio : ISTVAN,S GOT TWICE BEH. DUE 2 EQ.PROBS, NOW HE,S BACK AGAIN/
"Istvan est passé 2 fois derrière. A cause de problèmes EQ, maintenant il est à nouveau de retour"

Coconut : SAILED PAST SEAL BASKING IN SUN-CLOSEST LAND CROZET I,600NM! /
"Passé à côté d'un phoque prenant son bain au soleil-Terre la plus proche Ile CROZET 1,600 milles!"

Igor : ESMERALDA OK

Uku : NICE SAILING. /
"Navigation agréable."

Istvan : GDWEALREADYHADANICEVHFCHATandDECIDEDTOSAILTOGETHRF URTHERON:-) /
"NousavonsdéjàeuunebonnediscussionVHFetavonsdéc idédecontinuerdel'emmenerencoreplusloin:-)"

Mark Slats : ALL GOOD TOOLBOX IS BROKEN IM BIT PAINFULL BUT FINE /
"Tout va bien boite à outil cassée un peu mal mais ça va"

Jean luc : TVB!JE RALENTIS VOLONTAIREMENT POUR LAISSER PASSER GROSSE DEP /
"All ok! I'm slowing down volontarily to let go a big depression"

Cocount : CAN WHO EVER EXTRACTS DAILY NOAA REPORT PLEASE EXTEND WEST /
"Ceux qui peuvent extraire quotidiennement des rapport NOAA s'il vous plait étendez les vers l'Ouest"

322

[Photoboy]

Riding The Storm Out




UPDATE! IGOR has BROKEN HIS FORESTAY at the mast head and is now using halyards to take the load while he works out the best way to repair the damage. Conditions at the moment are 25/30kt Northerly with a 3/4mtr sea. He is 2000 Miles from CAPE TOWN and 2600 Miles from Australia. His plan at this time is to wait for better weather before making any repairs. He has NOT requested any assistance and is VERY CONFIDENT of making a good repair. GGR will monitor the situation and has NOT declared a CODE ORANGE. IGOR has a BIG job ahead of him but he is a very resilient and capable sailor. #GGR2018 GOOD LUCK!



Golden Globe Race
54 mins ·
UPDATE! Susie Goodall Racing is at the bottom of the storm cell right now forming next to her. She is in for a tough 12 hrs but is in the SAFE ARC so will not be trapped in the system.


First picture is NOW 1600UTC second Picture is 8 hours later at 2400UTC. At that time the top grey icon is 35miles ahead of Susie's current position now and Susie SHOULD be ahead of that by then and moving out of the stronger winds which will quickly move away to the South East..projected forecast is..... System forming close beside Susie Centre NE 1800UTC 45-55KTS from S then 2400UTC 50-55kts from SSW then 0600UTC 40kts SW Dropping fast...Good luck Susie! #GGR2018


https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/

UPDATE: Susie Goodall Racing just confirmed she could see the calm coming in first Picture. This suggests forecasting is correct. Wind will suddenly swing to the south increasing rapidly and Susie will make for North West. She will have 45/50kts from the south but slowly the wind will swing to South West and decrease as the center moves away. She can then follow that around and slowly start making east course again. If she had NOT turned around the storm may have encircled her creating VERY dangerous seas and she would have been held in it longer. Even now there is going to be a bad sea as she currently has a NORTH swell and will have strong South winds in the next hour. BUT she is now in the safe sector to be blown away from the worst. We are all thinking of her. Watch this on the Tracker and think of Susie. her positions are every hour. It is a nasty storm. UKU will outrun it. Susie said it was so hard sailing west because of all the ground lost in the Race!...#GGR2018 the date and TIME UTC is on top of each photo.



FRENCH UPDATE 17/10/2018 : #GGR2018

Storms notice on the golden globe race... "rough ride" (brutal navigation), this was the short message that night of Susie Goodall. It is surely well below what is looming for the English who has been running for a few hours against the wave, West, after getting notified by the race direction the formation of a short but violent storm that should To develop much more dangerously than the forecasts indicated so far. Winds of 55 knots with gusts at 70 are expected on its trajectory, in a very confused sea generated by the rapid rotation of the winds...

As a result, young navigator was recommended to temporarily turn around, incurvant his road to the north, to escape the largest of the system. A difficult decision for Susie Goodall who just passed cape leeuwin and who was well up on her predecessors in the last few days. But this storm is vicious and unfortunately recalls in its form the one that led to the rescues of abhilash tomy and gregor mcguckin... even uku randmaa, 250 miles ahead, was encouraged by the race direction to go to the North, because that bad system will catch him too...

In front of this, the big weather is also happening with the arrival on Jean-Luc van den heede of a huge system that will go back to him, generating a very strong wave that can exceed 10 To avoid also the biggest of the bad weather, the Dean of the race wisely decided to slow down, to stay on the edge of this very extensive depression... the symbolic passage of the antiméridien (which marks the boundary between the east to The West) is therefore under strong conditions for the leader, recalling if it was necessary to what extent the road is still long towards the sands of olonne, even if the figures indicating the degrees of progress towards arrival will now decrease... There are still more than 10 miles in front of the sailor's bow, after almost 108 days of sea! And Cape Horn remains to cross...

But it's still 5 miles less than Mark Sinclair and Igor Zarestskiy, who sail much more peacefully in a fleet tail in a north stream that pushes them into a manageable sea on the direct road. They should slow down again in two days with training around them from a high pressure zone. In Front, 1600 miles from there, Loic Lepage (Chichester Category) also slips full in a good south wind that will gradually grow to the west.

As for tapio lehtinen and istvan the, they are still making a duet in a moderate south flow that will clearly strengthen by passing west in two days, so that the organization also asked them not to go down to stay at It's the biggest of that wind coming. At least they're together, less than 10 miles from each other. If they talk to the VHF, tapio is having fun saying they're almost within reach! A significant comfort in these hostile and isolated regions of the globe... especially for the Finnish who owns the lowest boat on the water of the fleet.

Stay Mark Slats. The frustrating progression of the last 20 days, made of light or contrary winds, has become a violent navigation. The second of the golden globe race 2018, expected Monday at Boatshed.com drop point of Hobart, hallucinating this time of "the aggression of the sea", which continues to project its waves on the bridge and in the cockpit of its Rustler 36. Two have already slept his boat this weekend, injuring the Dutch Solid at the coast level... the Indian ocean leaves decidedly little respite to the competitors of the golden globe race...

Christophe

[Prince of Whales]

Dodging a bullet it would appear.

Hang in there girl!