EDS Atlantic Challenge - Closing in on the Leg 5 finish
by Event Press 24 Aug 2001 17:53 BST
FILA AND SILL ARE CLOSING THE GAP
It’s getting even closer for the lead yachts in the EDS Atlantic Challenge as Fila and Sill Plein Fruit gain on Kingfisher
With just over 150 miles to go on the final leg of the EDS Atlantic Challenge, the racing is getting even tighter. Kingfisher (Nick Moloney) has gained a little on second place Ecover (Mike Golding), however they have lost five miles to Fila (Andrea Scarabelli), and four miles to Sill Plein Fruit (Roland Jourdain) since the last poll taken at 10:40 GMT this morning. The four yachts are on a direct course for St Malo and are averaging between 13 and 15 knots.
Commander’s Weather, the experts who provide daily weather information to the competitors, are not optimistic that the fast pace will last all the way to finish. Their latest forecast had the following warning: “It will be a scramble for wind later tonight for the leading yachts. A period of light and variable winds will precede the development of a light northeast to east wind Saturday morning.” The forecast is making it difficult for race officials and competitors to give exact ETA’s, however it seems safe to say that the winner should cross the finish line early Saturday morning, local time.
Boat Positions:
At 13:40 GMT, on a distance to finish (DTF) reading, the positions were as follows:
Pos | Boat | Skipper | Nat | DTF / DTL |
1st | Kingfisher | Nick Moloney | UK | 154 miles |
2nd | Ecover | Mike Golding | UK | DTF + 9 miles |
3rd | Fila | Andréa Scarabelli | IT | DTF + 12 miles |
4th | Sill Plein Fruit | Roland Jourdain | FR | DTF + 17 miles |
5th | Gartmore | Josh Hall | UK | DTF + 223 miles |
6th | Alphagraphics | Helena Darvelid | SWE | DTF + 679 miles |
More Information: