[Garnalennet] Mast IDEC II

[niels.tempel op trimaran-trojka.nl]

Onderstaand engelstalig van Amerikaanse site:
http://www.xsracing.org/

Sunday - January 13 2008 - 0955 PST - As Francis Joyan and IDEC is
currently sailing along at 18 knots towards home, Francis is planning to
go up the mast a third time to try to secure the fitting that holds up the
mast.

"With the strengthening of the trade winds, the seas are going to get
rougher. I still need to sail conservatively to avoid the risk of
dismasting." Francis thus reduced the amount of canvas this morning. He
has to foot off slightly to de-load the rig. "I'm on a bearing of 345,
while the direct route is 30", he explained. IDEC is taking a longer
route, but this enables the trimaran to sail more comfortably and with
some good speeds, as she was making more than 18 knots this morning.

However, because the fitting holding the starboard shroud in place was
blocked to repair and after talks between tthe boat's designers, Nigel
Irens and Benoit Cabaret and the sailmakers, Samuel and Dominique
Marsaudon it has been decided to make one final attempt to secure the
fitting. The idea is to wrap a belt around the mast, which would be
strapped around the shroud fitting, limiting the strain on the spindle.

It is therefore planned once again to go back up the 32-metre mast. But
certainly not in the conditions he is experiencing today. Francis will
have to wait for calmer seas and for the boat to be making steadier
progress before he tackles this operation to secure the mast.