Golden Globe Race Ushers In July

[Single Hander]

Maybe he should just sail into Buenos Aires and retire?

[Photoboy]

Feb 5 Update: Will Tapio EVER Get Around The Horn?

Entrant UPDATE...FRENCH!! #GGR2018




Uku Randmaa Golden Globe Race 2018 has crossed the equator and its speed increases steadily as it rises in the North-East Alizées area. Good navigation conditions for the next two weeks! He's at 4,8 nds this morning and is 3107 miles away. The Tracker suggests an arrival for March 8 My best eta for uku depending on the location and strength of the anticyclone of the azores is closer to 12 March. Not really a problem, because he will be so happy to go home and see his wife and two little boys but??? He confirmed that with a scheduled arrival on March 5, he had only one meal Lyophilised and a bag of soup a day... he won't have anything to eat on the boat. The last week could be very interesting! All the more so because the fact that he hasn't had a lot of rations for several months now, has to make him lose weight and also the strength to keep off the boat maybe? It's not dangerous, but when you're in a race, you need to work actively. Yes it's an adventure but now with istvan
Who keeps getting closer, it gets complicated.

[IMG]http://pressure-drop.us/imagehost/images/03715593086301776522.jpg[/IKMG]


Istvan Kopar Solo Circumnavigator has a lot of food on board. It is strong and, although it faces many small problems on board, nothing seems to hinder the navigation capacity and speed of its boat. Its rigging, sails and navigation are correct. Not sure about these barnacles but I'll know more this week. He's able to navigate well. His management system remains a potential problem, but right now, it's all right. Now it's only 465 miles behind. The Black pot closes as it approaches, so it should not waste time and probably pass through directly to the North-East Alizées. The two sailors could then be just 450 miles from each other. So anything can happen again. This will be a real sailing race for the next two weeks, maybe even boring? But opportunities and tactics remain possible. Its radio does not work well at all and radio-amateur operators work hard to maintain an affair so that it can at least obtain basic weather forecasts. This could become critical in view of its ability to navigate properly when looking at the anticyclone of the azores and when it comes closer to the bay of biscay. Maybe it could change everything... good luck to both of you!




Tapio Lehtinen Sailing enjoy the sun for now, light winds and making only 2,4 knots at the final approach of Cape Horn 125 miles away. In About 6 hours, the northwest wind will return to 25-35 knots and remain stable. So we hope to celebrate tapio by tomorrow night. He called yesterday to report a possible problem with his unit text message unit and we are now trying to find a solution.

Don

[Dirty Sanchez]

Are they planning another one?

[Prince of Whales]

He pulled it off! An amazing feat for a man or woman of any age, but 73?

Bravo!

[Photoboy]

JLVDH Sails Into History



On the 29th of January today, after 211 days, 23 hours, 12 minutes and 19 s, JEAN-LUC VAN DEN HEEDE won the Golden Globe Race 2018 !
What an achievement for this 73 years old man that was achieving his 6th circumnavigation, with a victory for the first time after many podiums !
Well done Jean-Luc and welcome back to Les Sables d'Olonne !

[Photoboy]

Slats Diverts To Avoid Storm

SLATS SETS SAIL TO LA CORUNA



impending storm expected to wallop the Bay of Biscay in next couple of days







Mark Slats, currently number two in the Golden Globe Race, has decided Monday January 28 in the afternoon to contact his shoremanager Dick Koopmans. Mark experienced different insights about the concept of 'safe sailing' and decided to discuss with his manager about the best choice for the coming days is. Together they have decided that Mark is now heading for La Coruña Spain to take shelter and continue his race at a later date.

Monday morning January 28, the weather forecasts for the last part of the Golden Globe Race looked very bad for Mark Slats. The predictions showed huge storms and also huge waves. Don McIntyre, race organizer of the Golden Globe Race, gave Mark the advice, earlier that day, to sail with his boat, Ohpen Maverick, in to the Bay of Biscay. Mark's shore manager Dick Koopmans did not agree with this and contacted both Dutch and English coastguards. Both authorities fully understood the care provided by Team Slats. Contact was also made with Gerrit Hiemstra, a Dutch authority in the field of meteorology and also a self-employed ocean sailor. Hiemstra indicated that it is completely irresponsible to enter the Bay of Biscay and to visit the port of Les Sables d'Olonne on Thursday 31 January. The Golden Globe Race has been asked to move the finish further offshore or even to move to Brest (France) or Falmouth (UK). This request was simply rejected.

Slats currently sails for 211 days in the Golden Globe Race. A historic sailing race solo non-stop around the world without outside assistance and without the use of modern communication and navigation equipment.

There were 18 entrants at the start , only 5 are still in the race. Slats survived an enormous storm in the Southern Indian Ocean where two participants, who were close by lost their mast and both had to be evacuated from their ship. One of them, Abhilash Tomy broke a number of vertebrae to which he had to undergo surgery. Tomy is still working on his rehabilitation. Slats also had to contend with extreme periods of no wind before he could sail to Tasmania Australia. In a radio interview, Slats indicated that the periods of windcalms felt worse than when he had to deal with a storm of 50-60 knots of wind.

Slats has trailed the number 1 in the race, the French sailing veteran Jean-Luc van den Heede from Les Sables d'Olonne France, he decreased the distance from 2000 miles to the moment of writing only another 400 miles.

If Slats were to follow the advice of the Golden Globe Race, he would be expected to arrive at the port of Les Sables d'Olonne around 17:00 on Thursday afternoon. At the finish, the water is only 10 meters deep. When Slats has to deal with waves of 6-9 meters high from behind, this can lead to very dangerous situations in combination with the shallows. When Slats arrives at the port of Les Sables d'Olonne is not yet known.

[Photoboy]

Just Over 200 nm To Go For JLVDH

JLVDH is currently 217 nm to finish with a 317 lead over Mark Slats!



https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/




Updated forecast!!! for Mark Slats suggesting the Low pressure system now forming by BREST in FRANCE is intensifying FAST and moving over him in two days. Based on average 160 mile days for Mark, his forecast may look something like this...ALERT Storm. 29th Jan. 0500UTC SW 45k-0800UTC W 50/60k 1200UTC NW 50/65 6-7mtr sea 1700UTC NW 45/50k 2400UTC NW 35/40k 30th 0600UTC W 25/30 This same storm will hit Les Sables d'Olonne and move over the Les Sables d'Olonne GGR Village in the afternoon of the 29th the day Jean Luc Van Den Heede is expected to arrive. We are watching everything closely. The map below shows todays boat positions but the weather forecast for the 29th when Mark is 320 miles ahead at the end of the BLUE line. #GGR2018


Projected model for the 29th.


Jean Luc Van Den Heede ETA still 1000hr Tuesday 29th January BUT follow updates here! #GGR2018 IT COULD CHANGE!

JEAN LUC VDH at 0600UTC was 272 miles from the finish making 5.7knts in 8-10mtr seas and winds gusting to 50kts or more from the North West. He is steering ESE not toward the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne holding the wind and breaking seas on his port quarter which is safer on his mast than on the beam. Over the next six hours the conditions are expected to moderate with 6mtr seas and 30-35kt winds before once again increasing late tonight to 45kts for about six hours. It is tough sailing for him right to the finish with the ETA of 1000hrs on Tuesday 29th still holding for now but keep watching for updates. It could change. JL VDH will call GGR control today and will be on SOUND CLOUD.

Mark Slats is 319 miles behind in fantastic 25kt sailing conditions and moderate seas, beam reaching in 25th winds at 6.6kts direct to the finish and slowly closing the gap. BUT time has run out if JL VDH can keep everything together! In sailing anything can happen so MARK keeps pushing till the end and everyone is excited to see both sailors at the finish in the next few days. What a finish it is with Mark now expected across the line afternoon on the 31st Jan

[Photoboy]

Under 435 NM for JLVDH




Golden Globe Race
2 hrs ·
Jean Luc Van Den Heede has been caught by the center of the High and is making only 1.5kts. Mark Slats continues to close the gap and it may be at least another 10 hours before JL VDH gets moving toward the finish in Les Sables d'Olonne. The storm forecast is also starting to move a little faster as it approaches and therefore may clear earlier. JL VDH is now suggesting an arrival of 1200hrs on 28th. It may well be later in the day but not before. We all hope it will be in daylight, but only the storm will decide the final outcome. The final few miles may even be a challenge with not enough wind!


https://goldengloberace.com/livetracker/




Latest Satellite tweets from #GGR2018 Entrants...

Jean-Luc Van Den #Heede (via satellite) 8 seen lack of wind I narriverai not before lundimidi at best / regarding the lack of wind I will not arrive before Monday at noon

Istvan #the (via satellite) gd the tradewind uniquely & bald again details on Thursday / hello the Brazil only and bald again. Details on Thursday.

Jean-Luc van den #Heede (via satellite) 8PETOLE!ON NAVANCEPLUS. LA FAIT MAL TRAVAILLER LE GREEMENT. / NO WIND ! IT IS NOT MOVING ANYMORE. IT IS MAKING RIG WORKING HARD

Tapio #Lehtinen (via satellite) 6 at late thank u 4 all the heart warming bday msgs! / and a big thank you a little late for all your warm birthday messages

Tapio #Lehtinen (via satellite) agrimed going, next asteria spa, had long overdue shave / "easier, I visited the spa asteria, and shaved me long "

[Runs_with_sissors]

Hang in there Matmut!

[Photoboy]

A Final Blast For Matmut




Skippers update FRENCH Language 24/01/2019 #GGR2018

ETA JL VDH 1200HRS 28th January!

Jean Luc Van Den Heede will have a new challenge. The last day before his arrival, a serious storm will form around matmut. Winds from 45 to 55 nds from the northwest, with waves of 8 to 10 metres are expected. This weather will put pressure on jl vdh and his boat. It now has the opportunity to slow down and delay its one-day approach to let it pass. But Mark Slats is not far behind. In the next 48 hours, Mark shift east towards the finish line, leaving the center of the anticyclone behind and pursuing the boat of jl vdh. It will be about 350 miles from jl vdh who will only have 350 miles to go until the arrival. Normally, it's impossible for mark to catch up with him, but everything can still happen Will jl vdh be safe and let him pass this storm?? It will only last 24 hours and fall quickly. It would be 24 hours later, but still with a good day ahead of Mark? No one knows and forecasts can still change in the next few days. This leaves us with a lot of suspense and it is up to the end, as well as new challenges and opportunities for both sailors They're both winners of course, but only one can be the first?





Istvan Kopar Solo Circumnavigator will benefit from the next two days of light winds because if he knows the South-East Alizées are not far away. He'll be lucky if the forecasts are correct. He goes back to the pursuit of uku randmaa, which by then will be about 1000 miles ahead. Uku Randmaa Golden Globe Race 2018 takes the best part of the alizées, but in about four days, the black pot will come to his meeting by the south, much lower than for jl vdh and mark. Maybe this will slow him down and allow istvan to win again. A Sailor's life is never simple!

Tapio Lehtinen Sailing is 1200 miles from Cape Horn and for the next eight days, it has a clear route to cape without forecast of storms. It is likely to expect far too much, and it is likely to suffer the typical winds, the long wave and wet weather of this part of the world, but we all hope that it will succeed! Suhaili appears in the far back and could soon take the lead...

[Photoboy]

A Beeline To The Finish

ENTRANT UPDATE: 23/1/19 ..JL VDH 28th! MARK behind the HIGH!

JLVD holds a 327 nm lead with 692nm to go!




Jean Luc Van Den Heede is surely on the HOME RUN NOW! He will able to keep ahead of the center of the High pressure with good sailing wind. He is sailing now at 7kts and his speed should remain generally high for the next few days and maybe all the way direct to the finish in Les Sables d'Olonne. If the forecast holds true, there are no more tactics or weather to sail around. It is a simple race to the finish line. The storms expected at the finish have gone and there is a possible calm area that may cover JL VDH at the very end. This could allow MARK SLATS with a strong breeze to make ground so anything can happen and JL VDH will be checking his mast often! ETA 28th January!!!




Mark Slats is heading north at 4.7kts along the edge of the no wind zone in the center of the High pressure. He cannot turn east until he is above that and fortunately it is moving down to meet him. He will have to balance his course very carefully with his barometer to ensure he does not move closer to the center, or he will have no wind and stop. Mark and JL both need no more weather reports. Weather now is irrelevant in many ways. JL VDH must go straight to the finish. MARK needs to do the same and he can simply use his barometer to make that final turn east. At that time we will all see the distance to JL VDH, his final challenge. Then it is a simple boat to boat race. It will not be easy for Mark but anything is possible as all adventures have an unknown outcome! The GGR is proving to be one Tough Adventure and an incredible Race to the finish. They and all the other entrants are winners.




UKU RANDMA continues his track north in beautiful Trade wind conditions and for now even ISTVAN KOPAR is enjoying a good sailing breeze that will soon turn to the North so many days of windward work is all he can look forward to.




Tapio Lehtinen Sailing is just on the edge of the worst in his storm which has stopped climbing north. His efforts to get out of the way helped greatly. He will still have 50-60kts and 10-11mtr seas but not for too long and it is quite severe south of him. There is more heavy weather coming after this but things look reasonable once he is through the next 18 hours! He reports all well onboard after a 10 hour sleep and the boat is ready!

[Single Hander]

Not sure which radio rule breaker to root for, so, go the old guy!

[Photoboy]

Rent and JLVD Due By End Of Month




ENTRANT update FRENCH LANGUAGE! 22/01/2019

Jean Luc Van Den Heede is now in a position of strength to stay in the head and at the top of the anticyclone that could propel him into the bay of biscay for the last Everything will depend on the movement of the zone without wind This could slide in any direction and change the given, because it is always difficult to predict the movement of this anticyclonic centre. If he can get away with it, he'll have a straight path until the arrival. The winds will be through or back to the end. The challenge will then be simply to know with what strength and how far jl vdh can and will push his boat and shoot his mast? The wind of the last week is entirely focused on its port, where damage to the mast creates risks, and it could blow up to 40-50 knots. At some times. Eta now towards January 30?




Mark Slats is now challenged to reach the favourable winds, as it undergoes strong winds in the anticyclone that spin the air in the direction of the needles of a watch. He's on the wrong side. He must and will probably fire off the north later in the day. Could this get worse depending on the system center? He could even move and curb his progress. The next two days will determine the final challenge for mark. After that, it could be a straight line race and there is no doubt that mark can be faster in most conditions, but how far behind jl vdh will it be at the beginning of this crucial sprint, And until the arrival? It seems we are watching right now, the two most important days of the grh for these two great sailors! This could determine the winner if the weather forecasts are correct for the next eight days and if both browsers don't break anything, because they both grow to max!

Uku Randmaa Golden Globe Race 2018 will enjoy the next week of navigation worn by the alizées dreaming of home, family and food, as well as the epic battle that takes place in the head. For any sailor, navigation in the trade winds is the best thing, even more for a sailor who has traveled so much and has experienced so much. He must be very happy right now.




Istvan Kopar Solo Circumnavigator describes his constant tests. So we can expect to hear a little more about it in the next few days. Time is confused as far as it is concerned. Actually, it's a real mess. No storm, no calm, no bad direction... just a little bit of everything, nothing and then much more. Yes, total confusion will be his best forecast for the next few days, so his progress to his country of origin is suspended. He'll just have to smile and bear it.. now uku will regain a bit of the lost distance.




Tapio Lehtinen Sailing hang on for another trick. A potentially dangerous storm is approaching. He's trying to get North-East to stay as far away from the center as Fortunately, it will suffer the sudden wind change that will blow to the southwest before it reaches a speed of 60 to 70 knots with a sea of 9 to 11 m. The conditions are forming, for almost a day, before they reach its peak tomorrow. The storm almost stopped moving south of tapio, then started extending to the north to catch up? It's a little unusual, but we have great confidence in tapio and his beautiful boat. When it's over, another storm is planned in about five days. Welcome to the southern ocean.....

[Photoboy]

JLVD Extends Lead As End Nears

Golden Globe Race
2 hrs ·

ETA Jean Luc Van Den Heede is 31st January and all is well onboard. He swaps the rope holding the mast every time he changes the mainsail so he is busy and happy to have a good breeze. He is dreaming of HOME!! Soon.

Latest Satellite Radio Call



TRACKER



221 nm with 984 nm to finish


Golden Globe Race
6 hrs ·
#GGR2018 ENTRANT UPDATE: 21/1/19

Mark Slats has been able to motor and sail across the center of the previous high into the same weather system as JL VDH thanks to his last reserves of fuel. This has kept him very much in the Race. He kept his reserve fuel for just this type of situation, but even he would not have thought over the past months that this plan would be so important or successful! JL VDH ran out of fuel some months ago. The High pressure they sail in now will deliver Mark moderate headwinds once again, so his current 6kts North may turn to a NE course then Northerly again as the wind veers East. This looks good for the next couple days and generally is right for making to the finish. BUT then it gets a little more complicated as the center of the high starts to dominate what each sailor can do??..and right now it could be anything??

Jean Luc Van Den Heede is making 6.7kts in NW winds right to the finish but the center of the high with no wind is headed his way. He needs to get away fast. It looks like he may then just reach the top side of it and favorable wind direction, but it then gets complicated on the 24th. The center may catch him again and slow progress allowing Mark to make ground quickly. Basically the interplay with this HIGH is going to determine everything and the center can move anywhere. It is hard to forecast and predict. The next three days are going to be very important for both. Once they are above this it will be easier to see the final outcome. One thing is certain, the last week to the finish will be strong NW and N winds. JL VDH will have to push his mast to keep Mark away. This is his damaged side of the mast!!! He will have to sail hard or Mark has a huge advantage. Will he do that and think even under JURY RIG he will still be second?? Only time will tell...but it is an adventure for now with just 980 miles to the finish. He says he will arrive between the 30th and 1st Feb??

Uku Randmaa Golden Globe Race 2018 is finally on the edge of moderate Easterly Trade winds that allow him to make good speed North and away from ISTVAN who closed the distance in the last week. Over the next week the wind strength will drop a little but the easterly and South easterly direction will hold all the way to the equator and he will sail on course all the way. It has been a tough time for him sitting for too long. Now he can dream of home once again.

Istvan Kopar Solo Circumnavigator has challenges ahead to make any real progress for days and his turn now to watch UKU sail away. His current strong head winds could turn into NO WIND then light headwinds for the next four days or more as the HORSE latitudes start to impact his progress as it did for UKU. Looking a week ahead we see nothing but head winds. The life of a sailor is always interesting for sure!!

Tapio Lehtinen Sailing went through his recent storm with no reports of damage but plenty of serious heavy weather. He is still at the tail end of it now with strong SW winds but the worst seas would have been on the wind shift early on when it swung from North West to SW with 65kts. He currently has 7-9mtr seas and while it is dropping now there is an even more challenging storm headed his way in the next two days. It is very hard to predict at the moment but it is being monitored. The sooner he can get out of the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn the happier many will be ..But TAPIO will miss it, as there is no doubt he loves this special place, one of the last great true wilderness areas left on the planet.

[Charlie Tuna]

Schooled!