Vendee Globe: Brian Thompson in calmer seas, on board Bahrain Team Pindar

Saturday, 27 December 2008


Hi All, Front has gone through now and as the satellite photo showed there are clear skies behind, though the wind is much lighter than forecast. Seas were very lumpy when I got lifted after the front, and I had to go on starboard gybe for 2 hours during darkness to stop the boat crashing into too many waves. Now back on port as the seas have calmed a little and sailing under masthead code 0 and full main at 9/10 knots. Wind has to come back soon as Akenas seems to be making over 12 knots behind me. 

Going to use the mild conditions to do some jobs, repair some small holes in the fractional 0, rebuild a halyard swivel, fix the port primary winch, do some more work to the A3, and give the boat a good checkover after the Christmas Eve storm. 
I've read about Seb Josse’s knockdown, that sounds horrendous. The force of the water to do that much damage to his coachroof meant that the boat would have been picked up, turned sideways and then plunged into the water, not just a rollover. I know how impeccably that boat was built, so there was no weakness in the structure, just the overwhelming might of nature. I hope that he does not find any problems that cannot be fixed and that he can be back in the race soon; he has done an awesome job so far. 

All the best 

Brian

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Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 December 2008 )

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