Toughing it out

40 Degrees bashing to windward in Artemis Transat

Monday 19th May 2008

Sponsors Of The Day :
Beatle
Hamble River Authority

Time of Position : 0600 UK time
Latitude 43 44.04' N Longitude 33 49.57' W
Ranking : 7th
Average Speed : 6.4 knots
Miles To Leader : 70
Distance To Boat Ahead : 5 nm
Miles To Marblehead : 1707.8

A tiring couple of days for Miranda as the fleet settle into proper Atlantic conditions and more uncomfortable upwind sailing. The weekend has seen two retirements in the Open 60 fleet (Seb Josse and Unai Basurko) and slight gaps appearing in the Class 40 fleet. Until now racing has been amazingly close and Miranda has reported sightings of other boats every day of the race so far and not also sounded happy about it! She explained that she preferred just sailing her own race, rather than being distracted and forced
into manoeuvres that she wouldn't have otherwise chosen.

Despite treating himself to a bottle of wine on his birthday on Saturday, Giovanni Soldini has extended his lead and Miranda is now jostling with Alex Bennet on Fujifilm and still Boris Hermann on Beluga Racer, who are registering a few miles in front.

This is a dangerous part of the race, when the skippers have been at sea for a week, so tiredness really setting in and yet they still have such a long way to go. It is easy for morale to drop with every windless hole or any loss in miles. (All messages of support for Miranda VERY welcome!! via:sw@sophywilliamsltd.com )

"It has been a really frustrating and exhausting 24 hours. It feels like every time I have changed a sail, or tacked (having waited to make sure it is the right decision - these activities are energy-intensive), then the wind seems to go and do the opposite. On top of that, there was 2 knots of foul current for much of the day. There is always some, but not that much here - maybe it was courtesy of the Altair Sea Mount which rises off the
ocean floor to depth 900 m from 3500 m. Anyway, end result is that I am not where I want to be, and am just going to have to keep plugging away! The fleet is now closer to the American continent than the UK."

"At least the various manoeuvres are getting slicker - and can be quite fast depending on amount of bravery and wind. Other than constantly removing the water which must be coming from the ballast, 40 Degrees is in good shape so far. Not sure I can say the same about myself!!!"

"Thank you to the following degrees (progress west not brilliant in past day):
32W Beatle - for her unfailing support, even at the most trying of times!
33W Hamble River Authority - thanks for joining in the fun!"

Miranda/ 40 Degrees
43 49N 33 59W

www.40-degrees.co.uk
www.theartemistransat.com