Preparing for the storm jib

Miranda Merron readies herself for tough Atlantic conditions in the Artemis Transat

Wednesday 21st May 2008

Sponsors Of The Day :
37W CDP
38W Eva Moloney
39W Chanic

Time of Position : 0800 GMT
Latitude 41 57.13' N Longitude 40 10.70' W
Ranking : 5th
Average Speed : 6.5 knots
Miles To Leader : 104 miles
Distance To Boat Ahead : 41 miles
Miles To Marblehead : 1,410 miles

Giovanni Soldini continues to build on his solid lead in the Class 40 fleet, now 104 miles ahead of 40 Degrees. Miranda has now enjoyed a couple of days of not actually seeing any other race boat, enabling her to concentrate more on her own race. She has been regularly emailing her shore crew to reassure them that she is sleeping when possible and eating proper meals and not just snacking on Christmas cake! She is approximately half way through the 2,800 mile race, and fully aware that looking after herself is just as important as looking after the boat.

“40 Degrees has 340 miles to the eastern most part of the compulsory ice gate. Between here and there, we have steadily decreasing wind until tonight when there will be no wind for a few hours, and then it will start to build from the southwest tomorrow during the day, to the sort of conditions that require a storm jib. I will be triple checking everything over the next day and a half before the big weather. It's not usually the wind that breaks boats, but the sea state.”

“I have just managed to string together three hours of sleep, which is fantastic. I sleep in foul weather gear, ready to go on deck at any moment. My current sleeping place is on top of the fuel tank, wedged in with bean bag. The sleeping bag is not allowed, nor any item of clothing as a pillow, because it is too easy to wrap these around one's ears to block out the wake-up alarm without realising. So it's a bit chilly at times, but the boat speed has to be checked regularly, and a lookout kept as well - I have seen ships most days, and they for sure are not expecting to see us.”

“Yesterday, I saw a whale breeching - an amazing sight. No, I didn't get anywhere near colliding with it, but it is the 6th whale I have seen in a week, and I know one of the other 40s had a whale collision yesterday. The wind is dropping, so time for another sail change. Any time I feel I haven't got the energy, I just have to think about my fellow competitors. The pace is relentless.”

Thanks to the following degrees:
37W CDP – thanks Tim, look forward to seeing you back in Hamble!
38W Eva - Nick and Flavi Maloney's recently arrived daughter - congratulations!
39W CHANIC – Merci beaucoup Gerald!

Miranda/ 40 Degrees
42 N 39 W
www.40-degrees.co.uk

CDP is an innovative business telecoms provider that gives a percentage of its profits to charities, sports clubs and not for profit organisations. CDP specialises in fixed line telecoms and broadband for companies who not only want reliability, great value and exceptional customer service, but also to contribute to a good cause. We're delighted to be supporting Miranda's Transat adventure and look forward to supporting her in the years to come. www.yourcdp.com/home "

Chanic - Chantier naval et industriel du Congo - 1928-2008, 80 years of shipbuilding excellence in Central Africa.

COMPANIES, INDIVIDUALS and DOGS SPONSORING MIRANDA:
MT Waters, Ancasta, Grapefruit Graphics, GRIB US, The BP Oil Terminal, Musto, The Bugle, Skandia Team GBR, Southern Daily Echo, Health Unlimited, The Volvo Ocean Race, The Merron Clan, Batfish, Audierne Maritime, Dubarry Shoes, Champagne G.H. Mumm, Hamble River Sailing Club, Point Source, Stag Gates Garage & Marine, Sail TV, Bonne Bouche, Notty, PG Colby, ML Controls, Hamble River Authority, Hampshire County Council, Hamble River Sailing Club, CDP, The Moloney Clan, Chanic, St James Place, Sailing Logic Ltd, Topsham Sailing Club, Cuppa Cino, www.thedailysail.com , The Thompsons, BP Shipping Ltd, J-UK Yachts, Rivacom, Petit Navire, The Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble Rage, Batfish, Osprey Racing Yachts, Societe des Regates de Douarnez, Diverse Yacht Services, Activ, Esso, Owen Clarke Design, The Marsays, Lowford Clinic
Dog Sponsors: Salty, Beatle, Sen