[Garnalennet] Joyon - Idec recordzeilen

[niels.tempel op trimaran-trojka.nl]

Bron: Scuttlebutt Europe

A LITTLE RESPITE FOR FRANCIS JOYON
While the start of the night was characterised once again by some tough
sailing, with some unexpected squalls popping up, creating 35 knots of
variable winds to shake up the large IDEC trimaran and her single-handed
skipper, the night was to end with the long-awaited calmer conditions for
Francis Joyon. By veering more easterly, the trade wind blowing to the
south of the Azores eased off significantly and became much steadier,
making it easier for the red multihull to make her way north. With the
wind on the beam, resting on her port float, IDEC was sailing along at
first light at 16-18 knots on seas that were still quite nasty. Although
with a touch of tiredness, Francis's voice also expressed a little relief.
While the threat of seeing his shroud break away from the mast remains
present, what lies ahead for the solo yachtsman after 53 days of
uninterrupted struggle, seems much clearer, with a route strategy very
much in line with what! is considered normal in the North Atl! antic. He
has to round the high, then it will be full speed ahead in the SW'ly flow
sweeping right across the NW corner of France today....

With the change in wind direction, Francis is waiting in particular for
the swell to improve. When the sea calms down, he will be able to make his
fourth climb back up the mast. A crucial moment in this round the world
voyage, as it will enable Francis to work out just how much he can get out
of his machine before the finish.

If reassured by the condition of his mast, Francis Joyon will be able to
look forward more serenely to the final days of sailing that lie ahead.
The weather pattern is in his own words favourable, and he just needs to
avoid hanging around on the way; "With the westerly winds, we can hope to
finish on 20th or 21st January. We must not dawdle, as after the 21st,
there are calms and upwind conditions expected in the Bay of Biscay. I
want to make the most of the weekend's south-westerlies to reach
Brittany."

Niels Tempel
garnalencorrespondent