BT Global Challenge - Leg 4 - 20th February 2001

Conrad Humphreys reports as the sprint starts

madforsailing is following the BT Global Challenge through the diaries of Conrad Humphreys (skipper) and Andy Magrath (crewman) aboard LG FLATRON.

Conrad Humphreys, LG FLATRON;

'Listen up guys, we have to be straight into this one. No time to spend the first week finding your feet, it will all be over by then. Stay off the grog tonight and get some sleep, we’ll discuss our strategy tomorrow at 0900 before we slip the dock.'

This leg is for us one of the toughest of the race. No longer are we worried about adverse weather or scared of the might of the Southern Ocean. We don’t worry about the need for comforts, books or CD’s. Clothing consists of one set of thermals, one pair of socks and one set of underwear. The bivy bags and liners for our sleeping bags have been left behind, as have the drysuits. We expect to get wet this leg, we expect to eat only freeze-dried. It is likely that this leg will be the closest leg in the history of this event.

Perhaps this is the ultimate test. We have endured long ocean passages and remained focused up until the finish, but can we sprint? More to the point can we cope with the pressure of seven or eight yachts reaching across the Tasman and arriving at the Sydney Heads within minutes of each other. For this is what we have now - seven yachts aligned north to south with just five miles between first and eighth.

Tactically we are all doing the wrong thing as we pile north instead of sailing along the shortest course. No one wants to break from the pack. It’s intense as each metre is gained or lost. Sydney better be waiting for us with baited breath. If we can lead this field into the Sydney Heads, I’ll have a smile as big as the Sydney Opera House.