LOSING TO THE GHOST

Banque Populaire’s record stands intact. Here is Brian Hancock’s report:

There is a cruel reality that sets in when you run out of runway and that’s exactly what happened this morning aboard Spindrift Racing, the 130-foot long (40-meter) trimaran in search of the Jules Verne record. The reality set in aboard IDEC Sport a few days ago when they knew that it would be impossible to close the gap between their position and the finish off Ushant on the west coast of France in the time that they had left to break the record, but aboard Spindrift 2 things were different. Until the last few days that still had a chance of breaking the record but the combination of a ridge of high pressure directly in their path and some stormy seas ahead the crew made the tough decision to stop sailing in record setting mode.

The gig is up. Banque Populaire V will retain the record of 45 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes, and 53 seconds set back in 2012.

The message on Spindrift’s Facebook page reads as follows; “We are 2,200 nautical miles from the finish line off Ushant and we are on our 43rd day at sea.” They would have to close that distance at an average speed of roughly 36 knots in order to break the record. Their Facebook post continued. “Although the crew have battled incessantly, closing the gap by more than 700 miles in the last three days, we still remain 170 miles off the pace.” The pace they are referring to is where Banque Populaire V was at the same time into their record setting circumnavigation. In addition to the almost 200 mile deficit it was the weather that did them in. A ridge of the Azores High has blocked their direct route with violent storms closer to the French coast forecast.

Between the two weather obstacles it will be all but impossible to get to the finish in record setting time. Spindrift skipper Yann Guichard released a short statement saying “We have not given up, but although the record is no longer attainable, the adventure continues. Our goal is, of course, to complete the circle of this voyage around the world and to cross the finish line off Ushant.”

Truthfully Banque Populaire V’s record pace was more ahead of Spindrift Racing than behind. There were a few occasions, especially in the early days where both Spindrift and IDEC Sport were well ahead of the record, but the Southern Ocean was not kind. More specifically the proximity of ice, which was further north than normal, forced both boats to sail a longer distance than Banque Populaire V. Despite the extra miles sailed, Spindrift 2 rounded Cape Horn with a sizable lead over the record holder but that lead faded quickly in the fickle winds off the South American coast.

And then you run out of runway. There is the finish line, an imaginary line that runs from the Créac’h lighthouse on Ile de Oessant (Ushant Island) to Lizard Point on the southwest corner of England. And there is the clock. End of story. It’s a tough ending but let’s not forget that the record is held by Loick Peyron, probably the most experienced sailor alive.

He and his crack crew had their own fair share of problems but they sailed an impeccable circumnavigation and so for now their record stands and it’s going to be a tough one to beat. – Brian Hancock.

BANQUE POPULAIRE STILL THE RECORD HOLDER

Both IDEC and Spindrift are trailing the record holder Banque Populaire; crossing the equator on New Year’s day. Anything is possible, but nothing must go wrong between now and the finish to equal or better the record.

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COMANCHE WINS AND THE GHOST IS AHEAD

No one will remember which boat will win the Sydney-Hobart rave on corrected time. Comanche was first to finish and did so in spectacular style. I thought a smaller boat would have survived the southerly buster while the 100 footers would have all withdrawn with damage. Hats off the the seamanship.

Meanwhile in the southern atlantic both IDEC and Spindrift are losing ground by the minute to the “Ghost” Banque Populaire.

 

 

 

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RACING THE GHOST DAY 32

Spindrift

 

 

Nursing a boat around the world is no mean feat. Idec with it’s smaller rig may be better suited to resisting this kind of damage.
Any big Trimaran going around the world it is more about slowing down and finishing than pedal to the metal.

AHEAD OF THE GHOST

BOTH SPINDRIFT AND IDEC ARE AHEAD OF BANQUE POPULAIRE EXITING THE PACIFIC. WITH ABOUT 7,000 MILES LEFT TO THE FINISH AND 15 DAYS.  SPINDRIFT IS ABOUT 500 MILES IN FRONT OF THE RECORD RIGHT NOW AND IDEC IS 175 MILES AHEAD.

NAVIGATING THE HIGH PRESSURE ZONES WILL BE THE TRICK SAILING NORTH IN THE ATLANTIC ONCE AGAIN.

 

DAY 26 TROPHEE JULES VERNE

BOTH IDEC AND SPINDRIFT ARE CLOSE TO THE “GHOST”. IDEC 30 MILES BEHIND AND SPINDRIFT 30 MILES AHEAD. AT THE SPEEDS THEY ARE SAILING THIS CAN CHANGE VERY QUICKLY. WITH ABOUT 9,000 MILES TO THE FINISH THE DECIDING FACTOR IN THE RACE WILL BE WHO NAVIGATES FROM THE EQUATOR TO THE FINISH WITH THE FASTEST TIME.

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RISK AND REWARD

DAY 19
DAY 19

IDEC is further south than any boat has gone, good wind and shorter distance are the benefits, icebergs are the danger. So far, it has paid off as they are almost back even with the standing record.

Spindrift, further north is ahead of the record by some 80 miles. Both boats are almost halfway around the world.

IDEC BEHIND, SPINDRIFT AHEAD

It is still a long way to the finish. IDEC is about 350 miles behind the record at present; and Spindrift is just ahead of the record.
It is so interesting to see who jibes when and why.