EDS Atlantic Challenge - Leg 5 Update

MID-ATLANTIC MATCH RACE

Kingfisher and Ecover race in sight of each other. Fila still leads by 11 miles.

It's neck and neck racing for the lead boats in the EDS Atlantic Challenge as second place Kingfisher (Nick Moloney) and third place Ecover (Mike Golding) sail in sight of each other. What makes this even more remarkable is that the two yachts have been sailing at speeds well above 20 knots as they hurtle towards the finish in St. Malo just 1,200 miles away. In a strategic, tactical move, the crew on leg leader Fila (Andrea Scarabelli) have forsaken their southern position and are now the northernmost boat, a move designed to take full advantage of the northwesterly wind shift that effected the fleet late Sunday afternoon.

“We have been sailing with two reefs and staysail since the wind went into the north,” said Fila skipper Andrea Scarabelli in a satellite phone call. “It’s very wet on deck and quite rough sailing, but we are having a good time and of course we are pleased to be in the lead. Our move to the north really paid off well.” The Italian crew will have their work cut out as the second and third place boats bear down on them, and their sails show signs of heavy wear.

“Our mainsail is not in very good condition,” said Scarabelli. “It’s old and the repair we had done after the second leg is not holding too well. We will have to be careful.” Sail problems have also hampered the performance of AlphaGraphics. “Both our heavy spinnakers are blown out,” said skipper Helena Darvelid. “Right now it’s not that much of a problem because we are reaching, but if the wind goes light near the finish we’ll be slow.”

Meanwhile aboard Ecover Mike Golding was enjoying their match race against Kingfisher. “We can see the boat off our port bow, or at least when there is not too much spray we can see it. Otherwise we have a good visual on our radar,” he said. When asked how they were managing to cook during the very rough conditions they were experiencing, Golding said simply; “It’s a bit like an egg and spoon race. Hard to keep the food in the pot and the pot on the burner.”

Nick Moloney, skipper of Kingfisher said that they had been playing with different sail combinations and had found one that kept the speed high and the boat reasonably comfortable. “We spent a lot of time changing sail configurations until we settled on three reefs and staysail. It seems to be working. Right now the speedo is pegged on 22 knots.” All boats remain on a fast pace for France and are expected to finish by August 24.

Boat Positions:

At 10:40 GMT, on a distance to finish (DTF) reading, the positions were as follows:

Radio Interview Extracts:

Nick Moloney, Kingfisher. “The cockpit is full of water most of the time. It’s very wet on deck and the on-watch gets soaked within seconds of leaving the hatch.”

Andréa Scarabelli, Fila. “We will keep sailing as hard as we can, but we can’t afford to break the mainsail. If that happens we will not win.”

Roland Jourdain, Sill Plein Fruit. “We are sailing hard, but with the mast like it is it’s not possible to be competitive with the other boats.”

Helena Darvelid, AlphaGraphics. “It’s quite different on this side of the high pressure, although it’s warmer than I thought it would be, but not as warm as it was on the south side on the way to America.”

Mike Golding, Ecover. “It’s not too bad below really. It’s stuffy and warm, but it’s quite dry. The wet sails and foulies make it damp, but it’s okay.”

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com EDS Atlantic Challenge Page