Conference unifix::sailing

    The fifth Whitbread Round the World race started in near ideal
    conditions in the Solent at noon on Saturday.Northerly winds at 12 kts
    gave the 24 yachts a starboard tack reaching start westwards past the
    biggest spectator fleet ever assembled for a yacht race.There were in
    the region of 4000 boats of all sizes loaded with an estimated 50,000
    people eager to see the yachts off on the 33,000 mile trip. NCB Ireland
    a Ron Holland 80 footer had crossed the line in battle with the Russian
    yacht Fazisi which three days before looked unlikely to start because
    of measurement and sponsor problems. She was cleared just 24 hours
    before the start. Interestingly the Russian flew two ensigns before the
    start,the American and the Russian! Times are really changing!
    Early on the New Zealand ketch Steinlager 2 took the lead followed by
    Fisher & Paykel. The British yacht Rothmans was not in contention at
    this early stage. Well up with the leaders was another British yacht
    Defender.
    New Zealand designer Bruce Farr has no less than eight of his designs
    in this race. Among them is Maiden, skippered by Tracy Edwards with an
    all girl crew.
    After the first night at sea,at 0930 on Sunday the first three boats
    were Union Bank of Finland,Steinlager 2, and NCB Ireland.
    
    

    I was there !
    
    The spectacle was tremendous, with 30 yachts, about half of them
    Maxi's, and several thousand spectator boats.
    
    The two Kiwi ketches, Steinlager and Fisher & Paykel were in the
    lead last night, closely followed by Merit and Rothmans. The line
    honours winner is almost certain to come from these 4.     
    
    Digital are a minor sponsor of the Swedish ketch, The Card.
    
    Total expenditure on the race is thought to be over 100 million
    pounds.
    
    If you want to know why, just read one of the many books that have
    been written on the subject. "Come Hell or High Water" by Clare
    Francis is one very good example, written after the second race.
    
    Why are the Americans not interested ? There were going to be three
    entries, one of which collapsed early on, due to lack of sponsorship,
    and an other, an all woman crew, abandoned the race on the start
    line for the same reason. There are entries from UK, New Zealand,
    Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Russia,
    Spain and others.
    
    Chris.
    

    An interesting note taken from one of yesterdays papers reads as
    follows:
    "Cold,exhaustion,icebergs,storms,mountainous seas,submerged flotsam,wet
    itchy underpants,overpowering BO after not washing forfive weeks - it
    takes a certain type. The basic insanity of it all is the unifying
    factor. When the under-sponsored under-equipped Russian entry finaly
    made it to the Town Quay at Southampton late on Friday afternoon there
    was a huge,spontaneous cheer from the rival boats already moored. We're
    all in this together.
    No matter that the state-of-the-art Rothmans crew had 6 million pounds
    behind them. Alongside,the US Women's Challenge gratefully accepted a
    free box of apples to bolster their lader as their skipperNance Frank
    hassled the last cent of sponsorship. NG Squared is her motto: No
    Guts,No Glory. NS Squared it should have been: No Sponsorship,No Sail.
    The only American entry in the race failed to raise the cash and had to
    turn back. The glory she is missing will come in the wild waters of the
    Southern Ocean.
    
    Chris, it must have been some spectacle.
    
    Tom
    

The Whitbread start was a truly fantastic spectacle. I watched from Hurst 
Castle, the western exit from The Solent and some 10/12 miles from the 
start line. At this point the channel is only about 1 mile wide and the 2/3 
knot tide was helping the fleet Westward. By the time the fleet appeared 
the Armada of spectator craft had churned the water surface into a white 
froth. First past was Steinlager, already a quarter mile ahead of Fischer 
& Paykel both 5 sail reaching and looking incredibly powerful on what 
is probably their most effective point of sail. The rest of the fleet was 
close behind with the sloops flying their Spinnakers as they bore away 
down past The Needles into the open Channel. Hard luck prize for the day 
must go to Schussel von Bremen (At least I am pretty sure that is who it 
was) which in the mass of spectator craft appeared to miss the buoys 
and go aground briefly on The Shingles bank on the north side of the Needles 
channel. Last seen fighting the afore-mentioned tide back into The Solent.

Chris Gee

    During the previous edition the organizers published a phone number
    which played back a recorded tape with status info. The message changed
    daily and during evenfull days twice daily. 

    Does anyone know if this service is run again and what the number is ?


    Thanks, Max
    (Sailor on "Maiden Great Britain - Ex "Disque d'Or III", Ex "Stabilo Boss")
    

    I picked up an interesting piece of information relating to the
    expected weather conditions during the race. Contrary to it being
    dominated by strong winds and heavy seas the average wind strengths are
    not expected to be very different from what you would expect in a
    Fastnet or Round Ireland race. The predominance of reaching is
    something new in this years course, and it is this which has prompted
    the ketch rigs. Whether this will pay off remains to be seen.
    
                      EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS
    
               Wind force  1-3     4    5-6    7    8-12
    
    Beating                4.8%   2.6%  2.6%  0.5%  0.3%
    Fetching               4.7%   2.7%  2.6%  0.5%  0.3%
    Reaching              11.9%   8.4%  9.8%  2.1%  1.6%
    Broad Reaching         6.2%   5.2%  6.8%  1.5%  1.3%
    Running                6.5%   5.5%  8.1%  2.0%  1.5%
    
                          34.1%  24.4%  29.9% 6.6%  5.0%
    
    This analysis is based on distance. In terms of time nearly half the
    race could be spent in light weather.
    
    Tom
    

Heard the following positions from the Radio at 07.30 BST Wed 6th as the 
boats head down the coast of Portugal.

Steinlager in the lead by 4/5 miles from Rothmans with Merit close behind. 
Next comes Union Bank of Finland followed by Fortuna with Fisher and Paykel 
6th. About 30 miles covers the first six boats. 20 miles back are NCB 
Ireland and British Defender. Bringing up the rear some 50 miles further 
back are Creightons, Maiden, La Poste and Liverpool.

    
    COURSE: The Solent to Punta del Este,Uruguay. 6,281 miles
    ETA: 9 - 18 October 1989
    
    From the start the course takes the competitors down through the
    English Channel. The winds will probably be good for the first week or
    so,until the fleet gets level with Madeira, into the Horse latitudes.
    This is a frustrating time. It is just on the edge of the Trade Winds
    and they can be elusive. The first boat to pick up these steady tail
    winds can turn a few miles lead into many hours in front.
    Then will come great sailing. Warm weather,good constant breeze and
    really racking up the miles. But on leaving the North East trades the
    fleet has to cross the Doldrums. This is hot,frustrating sailing. Long
    periods of calm interspersed with fierce squalls under isolated rain
    clouds. The skipper must decide whether to leave the heavy sails up all
    the time,spending most of the time stationary,or ghost along in the
    calm with light sails and risk losing time sail changing during the
    very time he can be making the best progress. In the last race one boat
    which adopted the second alternative logged 150 sail changes in just
    three days!
    But here it is vital for the crew to keep going,for once again,minutes
    turn into hours, and hours turn into days ahead for the yacht which can
    get cleanly through the Doldrums and into the fast conditions of the
    South East Trades.
    For three days or so the yachts will be making good progress to the
    southwest,closing with the Brazilian coast. Then the winds will fall
    away,leaving gentler breezes,but more work for the crew. The boats
    staying off shore will be getting on the predominantly light favourable
    breezes of the South Atlantic weather system,whilst those closer
    inshore will be picking up thermal winds;good reaching conditions
    during the day and light offshore winds during the night,with calm
    periods at dawn and dusk.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    After five days at sea the leading yachts have covered over 1000 miles
    and are reporting excellent weather. The fleet yesterday were off the
    Straits of Gibraltar and heading toward the Cape Verde Islands.
    At 1527 GMT yesterday the Argos sattelite beacon reported "Steinlager
    2" skippered by Peter Blake of New Zealand in the lead with 4,804 miles
    to go to Uruguay. "Rothmans" skippered by Laurie Smith 47 miles
    behind,was in second place followed by Ludde Ingvall's "Union Bank of
    Finland".
    In the cruiser class, further down the fleet, "Integrity" and
    "Creightons" were within sight of each other for the lead in this
    section.
    Taking a more Easterly course,"NCB Ireland" had dropped back several
    places since Tuesday's 7th place. It seems that they hit a patch of
    light airs close to the Soviet "Fazisi". However,with such a long way
    to go and different tactical considerations it is early days yet.
    
    POsitions 1527 GMT September 6th.
    "Steinlager 2" (4806 to go)
    "Rothmans" (4851)
    "Union Bank of Finland" (4869)
    "Fortuna Lights" (4870)
    "Merit" (4874)
    "Fisher & Paykel" (4884)
    "British Defender" (4885)
    "Martela" (4896)
    "The Card" (4903)
    "Charles Jourdan" (4923)
    "Belmont Finland" (4924)
    "Gatorade" (4932)
    "Fazisi" (4933)
    "NCB Ireland" (4935)
    "Equity & Law" (4970)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    With the Maxi yacht "Union Bank of Finland" heading for Madeira,
    "Creightons Naturally" for the Canaries and "Martella OF",the Baltic
    maxi,reported to be having crew sickness,the first signs of failure are
    hitting the Round the World race fleet as they slip down the West coast
    of Africa and out into the Atlantic.
    Reports last night indicated that weather conditions had deteriorated
    dramatically. Laurie Smith the skipper of "Rothmans",described
    conditions as "worse than any we have experienced in the Southern
    Ocean".
    During the sixth day at sea it was Peter Blakes maxi "Steinlager
    2",which continued to set the pace in first position,followed by
    "Merit", which took second position from "Rothmans",according to a
    report at 1600 yesterday.
    There was no explanation for "NCB Ireland" dropping back to 14th
    position behind the Russian yacht "Fazisi". Communications from
    NCB have been cryptic and one theory being put forward is that, due to
    the public nature of marine band frequencies,there was no desire to
    discuss tactics over the airwaves.
    Another possibility to explain the poor position is that NCB's Argus
    beacon was not working correctly. FRom position reports since the race
    started last Saturday, NCB's position has been more erratic than the
    rest of the fleet.
    With the other yachts in trouble, "Union Bank of Finland" hopes to
    anchor on the south side of Madeira island, where a Portugese naval
    launch will deliver a replacement mainsail headboard to her.
    On board "Creightons Naturally",the spinnaker pole mast fitting
    carried away under stress.She decided to divert to Tenerife where she
    hopes to rendezvous on Sunday with a spare part flown out from Britain.
    
                        Positions at 1622 GMT 7 Sept.
    Steinlager 2 (Miles to go 4,532)
    Merit (4,572)
    Rothmans (4,614)
    British Defender (4,641)
    Fortuna (4,653)
    Union Bank of Finland (4,662)
    Fisher & Paykel (4,682)
    Martella OF (4,717)
    The Card (4,717)
    Gatorade (4,734)
    NCB Ireland (4,808)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    CONDITIONS EASE FOR THE FLEET
    "NCB IRELAND" moved uptwo places to 12th position and is continuing to
    make up ground in the 23 yach fleet as competitors go into their second
    week at sea repirts the Irish Times.
    After heavy going of the last few days many of the yachts have reported
    lighter winds moving into the North in a 5 to 10 knot range,beautiful
    sunshine and lovely sailing. NCB,according to the sattelite track
    having moved more to the West of the fleet. The Russian "Fasisi"
    reported little wind on the eastern side of the rumb line.
    However,there does appear to be more wind with the leaders of the pack
    who continue to average 10 knots.
    "Steinlager 2" skippered by Peter Blake of New Zealand is still in the
    lead with "Merit" of Switzerland just 16 miles behind. Both of these
    yachts have now altered course to a more southerly direction.
    "Rothmans" having dropped back considerably, also seems to be catching
    up and is sailing the great circle track and may well recover some of
    the ground lost.
    The lighter winds the fleet are now experiencing should give the yachts
    ample opportunity to repair any damage suffered during the heavier
    weather of this week.
    
    Positions at 1704 GMT September 8th
    
    "Steinlager 2" (4,353 miles to go)
    "Merit" (4,369)
    "Rothmans" (4,397)
    "Fisher & Paykel" (4,450)
    "Fortuna" (4,474)
    "British Defender" (4,475)
    "Union Bank of Finland" (4,475)
    "Martella OF" (4,477)
    "Belmont Finland" (4,521)
    "Charles Jourdan" (4,534)
    "The Card" (4,538)
    "NCB Ireland" (4,560)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    "NCB Ireland" moved up another place,to 11th overall according to
    yesterdays sattelite position report. Closing the gap on Union Bank of
    Finland in 10th position. NCB was holding a course of 210
    degrees,averaging 9.3 knots,with 4,141 miles to go.
    With the fleet heading toward the Doldrums & the Equator,the yachts are
    maintaining incredibly good speeds,seldom below 9 knots. Steinlager 2
    maintained her short but telling lead going into the ninth day of the
    race.
    "Merit" the Swiss entry skippered by Pierre Fellmann and winner of the
    last race,is still lying 2nd, about 60 miles astern of Steinlager 2,
    followed by "Rothmans" only three miles astern.
    
    Positions at 1522 GMT !0 September
    Steinlager 2 (3,869 miles to go)
    Merit (3,948)
    Rothmans (4,006)
    Fisher & Paykel (4,072)
    Belmont Finland (4,081)
    Fortuna (4,096)
    British Defender (4,101)
    Martela OF (4,114)
    The Card (4,133)
    Union Bank of Finland (4,135)
    NCB Ireland (4,141)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    DOLDRUMS NEXT
    Holding the most westerly course of the fleet,"Steinlager 2",the NZ
    ketch,maintained her overall lead yesterday.Now entering an interesting
    tactical phase of the race,the fleet are approaching the Doldrums,when
    anything can happen.
    By contrast,the leading British yacht,"Rothmans",is well to the east -
    having evidently decided that this is the best course and most direct
    route to make. Meanwhile, "NCB Ireland",in the middle,is well
    positioned and continues to make up ground lost last week off Spain.
    In this form of long distance racing,tactical positioning and deciding
    the best quarter of weather systems to navigate are always key
    decisions. Evidently Peter Blake opted to reach more to the west in the
    northerly trade winds - sailing a longer distance but going faster and
    staying ahead. By contrast his main ketch rival, "Fisher & Paykel" has
    not gone as extreme - thus staying back in fifth slot behind three
    sloops,more to the east.The next week will tell if Blake's gamble pays
    off and the wind holds.
    By today the fleet should be clearing the Cape Verde Islands and making
    for mid-Atlantic towards Recife on the north eastern corner of South
    America. After the Doldrums,the fleet should reach for a time with the
    SE trades before picking up the northerlies leading to Uruguay.
    Running ahead of schedule the first yachts could be in by September
    26th,unless the yachts loose the wind entirely in the Doldrums and
    re-group to start the race again.
    
    Positions at 1434 GMT September 11th.
    Steinlager 2 (3,598 miles to go)
    Merit (3,687)
    Rothmans (3,717)
    British Defender (3,795)
    Fisher & Paykel (3,803)
    Belmont Finland (3,816)
    Martella OF (3,860)
    Charles Jourdan (3,872)
    NCB Ireland (3,900)
    Maiden (4,226)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

    SOME EXTRACTS FROM NCB IRELANDS LOG
    
    There is comment on the skipper satisfying his taste for sushi as he
    can often be found in the aft cockpit nawing the heads off errant
    flying fish.
    After the yacht's first 40 knot gale in the race, mention is made of
    their close racing and frustrations in light sloppy sea conditions with
    other competitors. "The following day saw us drying out and pacing it
    with Belmont, Martella,The Card and Gatorade - great sailing. The next
    few days had us creeping along southward sniffing out the breeze under
    full canvas and all the laundry we could hoist". The log notes
    carefully the problems encountered and how they lost valuable time in a
    wind hole,when yachts in the fleet passed NCB on both sides.
    Tuesday September 5th.
    Gybed onto starboard at midnight. Wind now continually above 30 knots.
    Spinnaker guy keeps tripping the pole end. Real struggle for control
    with the spinnaker gyrating about without a pole. Set storm kite and
    off we go,with wind now gusting over 40 knots - at times struggling for
    control.Passed an oil tanker.
    Wednesday Sept 6th.
    Not much wind.Lots of slop. One of NCB's weak points of sailing. The
    yachts out west seem to have an advantage,but the yachts inshore are
    also gaining on us. Making a lot of use of the McWilliam half-ounce
    spinnaker which is working well in these difficult and frustrating
    conditions. A bad day for us, but everyone is in good form.As this is a
    long race we will make a comeback.
    Saturday September 9th.
    Beginning to make progress on the rest of the fleet.Alternating
    spinnakers. Everybody beginning to have salt water showers on deck.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

	The following is a summary of an article that appeared in 
		BOATING NEW ZEALAND's sept issue

written by STEPHEN MORRIS, a part of Fisher & Paykel New Zealand's
on shore team responible for their computer systems. 

		This is reproduced without asking anyone.

"	Advanced met system- f&p 'ace in the hole'

	When f&p sets sail on sep 2 she will have one of the most advanced
weather routing systems yet devised.                                           
 	During the America's cup in Perth Grant Dalton met Dr Neil Gordon of
the New Zealand meteorlogical service,who was providing specialized forcast's
for the 12 metre racing,after perth, dalton began to set in motion his
whitbread project with design proposals beginning at the farr office in
annapolis.Very quickly dalton and his team relised  the new course for the race 
would involve weather systems and therefore different yachts than were seen
previously - that was when he turned to the nz met service and gordon, who then
gathered the last 6 years of the worlds weather data,a programme was developed
which made it possible to computer sail the yacht through the many weather
scenarios over the whitbread course,arrive at an accurate estimate of the
weayher conditions during the event and work out the time needed to sail around
the world.This quickly proved to be a valuable tool in the design and
delvelopment of the proposed yacht,the other nz yacht Steinlager 2,soon got
wind of this and also employed the nz met service to provide similar
information.Finnally,the idea of a ketch was mooted, which at first was not
taken seriously however ather the race programme show a twin masted yacht
coming days ahead of a sloop a whole new avenue of thought opened and
eventually led to 3 farr designed ketches in the race.

	Dalton had another weapon up his sleeve, the proposal for an on board
weather routing system,his initial point of contact was with Steedman, a perth
company which specilised in routing commerical shipping around the world  to
avoid heavy weather the same princaples applied to the whitbread with the
criteria to find heavy weather and optermize the yacht's performance.After
research with Steedman,Dalton returned to Gordon to initiate the writing of a
custom routing programme for the 89-90 whitbread race.Dubbed ORCA (ocean route
computer analysis),the programme set out to be uniquely better than any
commerically available,this time Gordon worked exclusively with dalton.
	The programme writing started in Feb 1988,with Gordon leading a team at
the met service with assistance from f+p's performance analyst Stephen morris
and initial input from Dr Andy Philpott at the Engineering Science department
of Auckland University.
	The estimated computering power necessary to run the ORCA programme
efficently was large and way beyond an ordinary desktop system, so the Digital
Microvax 2000 computer was recommended and used.It was a quantum leap to
consider putting a powerful computer like a microvax on board a yacht that
would expreince everything from from equatorial heat and thunderstorms to polar
ice and gales.Special light wieght equipment provided the computer with a 240v
supply.

	In essence the programme takes forecast weather maps,calculates the
wind strengths and directions and then predict's the distance's F+P can sail
over a certian time period in many directions.The programme,using the
historical database set up by Gordon, picks the best direction to sail.Fisher &
Paykel also has on board 2 weather fax's the image is entered into the computer
and then reproduced on the Vt330. Logically it would have been to more
convenient to have land based computers directly transmit weather information
in digital form to the yacht based system but this breaks the rule prohibit
 outside assistance to the race yachts and the whitbread committee actuall
banned systems that went outside the spirit of ocean racing - independence.

	It is a tactical decision by the navigator,skipper, or watch captains
which to take from the 3 routes provided,once chosen,a printout is made showing
the route broken up into 3 hour intervals with course to steer ,the expected
magnetic wind direction, true wind angle,wind speed and expected boatspeed,this
system will also take into account the smallest of islands or continents.
	The navigator now has all the information needed to provide courses to
steer and expected wind changes,therefore been able to plan sail changes in
advance. This knowledge of expected wind conditions was used with devastating
effect in the recent trans-alantic race against NCB Ireland whan F+P finished
400 miles ahead in a 2700 mile race.Pre-race computer analysis produced an
estimated race time of 11.16 days - F+P actually completed the event in 11.58
days.
	Another aid to the navigator and skipper is provded by the programmes
ability to track up to 20 yachts in the race fleet.Using positions from the
Argo saatellite every 12 hours,the programme calculates average speed over the
ground as well as relative range and bearing from f+p to the other yachts.
	 Finallythe yachts can be placed using a sophisticed "distance to go"
that takes account of the course the yachts actually have to sail rather than
just the great circle distance to the finish,using estimated polars for the
other yachts the programme can then predict their courses as if they were
sailing optimally."

regards revel

    SUCCESSFUL NZ PLOY
    What appears to have been a successful tactical ploy has seen Peter
    Blake's New Zealand ketch "Steinlager 2" increase her lead over the
    other 23 entries on the 11th day of the race.
    She has been lying well to the west of the fleet for the past few days
    and it appears to have paid off,for she is now 130 miles ahead of her
    nearest rival,the Swiss sloop "Merit", skippered by Pierre Fehlmann.
    "Rothmans",the British sloop of Laurie Smith,sailed to the east of the
    Cape Verde Islands,about 390 miles away from "Steinlager2" and appears
    to have suffered for it. She is now over 100 miles astern of
    "Merit",which represents about half a days sailing at their present
    speeds.
    "NCB Ireland",taking a more westerly route than "Rothmans",remains in
    12th position but continues to slip back in relation to "Steinlager 2".
    In a 24 hour period,"Steinlager 2" covered 305 miles compared to 217
    by the Irish entry. The average speeds are 10.8 knots and 9.2
    respectively.
    
    Positions at 1304 gmt September 12th.
    Steinlager 2 (3,293 miles to go)
    Merit (3,422)
    Rothmans (3,544)
    Fisher & Paykel (3,562)
    British Defender (3,570)
    Union Bank of Finland (3,603)
    NCB Ireland (3,683)
    Maiden (4,151)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Note 1332.15 introduced the question of weather versus design and was
    most interesting. An earlier note 1332.6 also referred to the predicted
    wind patterns.
    Certainly in opting for a sloop rig for NCB Ireland the Ron Holland
    design team were influenced by a very wide reaching analysis of weather
    for the course. Also an interesting fact is that Steinlager 2 and
    Fisher & Paykel,although both Bruce Farr designed ketches,differ in
    that Steinlager is fractionally rigged whilst F&P is full masthead.
    (I wonder if there is an connection between this and their relative
    positions?)
    Butch Dalrymple Smith of the Holland design team commented on the sloop
    versus ketch quandary as follows:
    "Ketches have two advantages and two disadvantages. The main point in
    their favour is that they are significantly faster reaching. Whenever a
    ketch can effectively set a mizzen staysail, it will have a half to one
    knot advantage over the sloop of a similar rating. Its other benefit is
    ease of helm balancing,so that accurate steering becomes easier.
    The disadvantage of the ketch is the narrow range of wind direction
    over which it has the improved speed. Due to mizzen windage and spar
    weight close to the stern windward speed is lower than a sloop. The
    weight affects pitching and slows the yacht down.Mizzen drive when
    beating is negligable,because the forward sails cause wind distortion
    giving too tight an angle for the sail to develop power.
    Directly down wind the ketch is disadvantaged because the mainmast is
    not as high as that of the sloop,and its spinnaker is smaller. It is
    true that the ketch can set two extra sails on this point of sailing
    but most of the drive obtained from the mizzen and mizzen spinnaker is
    detracted from the sails in front.
    A second problem arrises with difficulty in keeping the rig perfectly
    set.With a ketch rig,the setting of each sail affects that of
    another,so a small adjustment of the genoa must be followed by
    adjustment to the main, which in turn affects the setting of the
    mizzen. This means extra work for the crew.
    As a result of all this,ketches will always be picking the most
    advantageous wind angle,whereas sloops will beat,run or reach depending
    on tactical opportunities.
    At the end of the day,no one knows which will make the fastest round
    the world time, but it is guaranteed that the ketches will sail the
    longest distance,and will certainly be able to claim the highest
    average water speeds.
    
    Regards,
    Tom        
    

    LEADER CAUGHT IN DOLDRUMS
    Although she was still leading in the first leg,the New Zealand ketch
    "Steinlager 2",skippered by Peter Blake,showed a dramatic loss of speed
    at midday yesterday as she entered the northern limit of the Doldrums.
    From her race average over the first 3,000 miles of 10.4 knots,she was
    then down to 2.9 knots,with the remainder of the 22 entries still
    maintaining a high average and fast catching her. "NCB
    Ireland",notably, made up 100 miles on the leading boat.
    Still if the Doldrums live up to the worst of their reputation the
    fleet could concertina and the race would start again. In that case,the
    first yacht to escape could well win the first leg to Punta del Este.
    
    Positions at 1233 GMT 13 September
    Steinlager 2 (3,180 miles to go)
    Merit (3,217)
    Fisher & Paykel (3,320)
    Rothmans (3,325)
    British Defender (3,349)
    Fortuna (3,401)
    NCB Ireland (3,440)
    Maiden (4,000)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADER PICKS UP SPEED AGAIN
    "Steinlager 2" has had her lead on the first leg cut considerably after
    13 days of sailing. The Swiss yacht "Merit" and the other New Zealand
    ketch "Fisher & Paykel",both virtually caught up with Peter Blake's
    boat,when she slowed down due to light winds at the edge of the
    Doldrums.
    But "Steinlager 2" later picked up speed again yesterday and is
    expected at Punta delEste a week ahead of schedule at the end of the
    first leg.
    
    Positions at 1409 GMT 14th September
    Steinlager 2 (3,011 miles to go) (Average spd 10 kts)
    Merit (3,059) (9.8)
    Fisher & Paykel (3,087) (9.7)
    Rothmans (3,163) (9.5)
    British Defender (3,171) (9.4)
    The Card (3,184) (9.4)
    Belmont Finland (3,231) (9.4)
    Fortuna (3,233) (9.2)
    Charles Jourdan (3,238) (9.2)
    Union Bank of Finland (3,247) (9.2)
    NCB Ireland (3,257) (9.1)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NEW ZEALANDERS FIRST AND THIRD
    Round the World race reports in todays Irish Times was meagre and no
    position information was given. 
    On Saturday most of the fleet had reached the Doldrums. As the yachts
    headed south towards the Equator,they were met by southerly 5-10 knot
    winds,giving a head wind for only the second day since leaving the
    Solent. "Fisher & Paykel" and "The Card" had made the best gains on the
    leader "Steinlager 2". "Fisher & Paykel" were then second having
    maintained good speed by being to the west of the fleet. "NCB Ireland"
    had moved up to 10th position,ahead of the British boat
    "Rothmans",which was one of the worst hit by lack of breeze.
    Over the weekend it is reported that although her lead continues to
    fluctuate with every passing calm or squall,the New Zealand ketch
    "Steinlager 2", still manages to keep clear of the remaining 22 yachts
    in the fleet. At noon yesterday,she was 124 miles ahead of the Swiss
    sloop "Merit",whilst the other New Zealand ketch "Fisher & Paykel",was
    only 80 miles further astern. "NCB Ireland" has moved up into eighth
    place.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    STEINLAGER GOES 210 MILES CLEAR
    "Steinlager 2" has powered her way ahead in the last 24 hours to
    re-establish a commanding 210 mile lead on the Swiss sloop "Merit".
    "NCB Ireland" has dropped back to 11 th position,while "Creightons
    Naturally" has taken a narrow lead ahead of "With Integrity" in the
    cruiser class.
    Taking the most westerly course in the fleet,"Steinlager" was first
    into the Doldrums and first to pick up the south easterly trade winds
    which will now carry her to the South American coast before picking up
    the northerly winds to finish at Punta del Este.
    Indeed, "Steinlager" is expected to finish the first leg a full week
    ahead of schedule. Race officials and support teams have been rushing
    to change their flight reservations to Punta del Este as it becomes
    clear that the New Zealand ketch will arrive there on September 27th.
    The first four yachts are now south of the Equator and sailing fast
    after an unusually easy passage through the Doldrums. This followed an
    extraordinary fast run south to the tropics during which most of the
    yachts had spinnakers set continuously for 10 days.
    "Rothmans",the leading British challenger,lost out by taking the most
    easterly route and is lying in fourth position behind the other New
    Zealander,"Fisher & Paykel". Though spread out approaching the
    Doldrums,this past week has seen the fleet converge considerably with
    only 80 miles and seven other maxi yachts seperating NCB from
    "Rothmans".
    Quite interestingly,several minor races within the overall race are now
    developing,not least the race to raise funds for several yachts which
    will find themselves short of money in Uruguay. Pepsi Cola have
    withdrawn their sponsorship of the Russian yacht "Fazisi" while the
    Liverpool Enterprise team,currently lying last in the maxi fleet,are
    having trouble raising funds in the Liverpool area.
    
    Positions at 1255 GMT September 18th
    Steinlager 2 (2,164 miles to go)
    Merit (2,372)
    Fisher & Paykel (2,415)
    Rothmans (2.484)
    The Card (2,634)
    Satquote British Defender (2,663)
    Belmont Finland (2,680)
    Gatorade (2,691)
    Union Bank of Finland (2,694)
    Fazisi (2,705)
    NCB Ireland (2,707)
    
    REgards,
    Tom
    

    As NCB Ireland prepared to cross the equator,the crew have been
    preoccupied with intense heat,light winds and the arrival of King
    Neptune to execute his feared initiation ceremony on first time
    visitors to his kingdom. Starting with the king's sudden arrival on
    deck,complete with his court,each newcomer is put on trial and given a
    sentence which often includes being stripped naked and force-shaved.
    A typical extract from last week's log read,"As time goes on and living
    in very close confined quarters,one learns a lot about the
    personalities of our fellow crew members. Yesterday a migratory bird
    landed on our deck suffering from exhaustion. After the usual
    discussions,including getting Richard up to cook it,Henri Hiddes picked
    it up,took it below and fed it on some sugar and water. He then brought
    it back on deck and made a makeshift nest for it in the corner of the
    aft cockpit. The bird stayed there for most of the night and early in
    the morning took off to continue its path south."
    Like the refreshed bird,the log notes that NCB is moving south into the
    Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. "We sail from rain cloud to rain cloud
    - tacking at times to take advantage of the change in wind direction a
    cloud will bring - and escape from the heat"
    Some rain clouds bring torrential rain and the normally well organised
    deck becomes a combined shower room and laundrette. Everyone armed with
    soap and shampoo scurrying about to find pools of rain water. The
    mainsail footshelf is turned into a communal laundry with people
    standing up in it pummelling their washing,perhaps closer to the scene
    on the banks of an African river than the decks of a maxi.
    Flying fish have been a constant source of amusement ever since one hit
    Terry Gould in the face,cutting his lip last week.
    "as dinner was being prepared this evening an errant flying fish landed
    on the deck,bounced through the galley hatch and landed in a pot of
    potatoes" This was much to the crews amusement and the dismay of the
    cook,Richard Gibson.
    Next day the log commented "Would the next of kin of the flying fish
    who smash landed in the potatoes come forward to identify the corpse.
    A little more breeze today. Now reaching under 3/4 ounce and 1.5
    spinnakers alternately,making better speed than yesterday".
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    STEINLAGER 2 STRETCHES LEAD
    The leading maxi's have now completed more than two thirds of the 6,200
    mile first leg. "Steinlager 2" has stretched her overnight lead by a
    few more miles and is now 220 miles ahead of the Swiss sloop "Merit".
    Close behind are "Fisher & Paykel" and "Rothmans". Only 87 miles
    seperate these three and anyone of them might finish second,though
    their chances of catching Steinlager 2 must be diminishing with every
    day which brings them nearer to the finish.
    
    Positions at 1349 GMT 19 September
    Steinlager 2 (1,962 miles to go)
    Merit (2,183)
    Fisher & Paykel (2,209)
    Rothmans (2,270)
    British Defender (2,499)
    Gatorade (2,474)
    The Card (2,503)
    Belmont Finland (2,534)
    Fazisi (2,536)
    Martela OF (2,580)
    Fortuna (2,616)
    NCB Ireland (2,627)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADER SLOWED BY HEAD WINDS
    Headwinds yesterday halted for the time being Steinlager 2's previously
    ever increasing lead. The NZ ketch is,however,still more than 200 miles
    ahead of her nearest pursuers and they,no doubt,will be slowed in their
    turn.
    Pierre Fehlmann's "Merit" still heads the trio of maxis fighting for
    second place,with the SWiss entry holding a slender lead of 42 miles
    from "Fisher & Paykel" which is in turn 80 miles ahead of "Rothmans".
    "NCB Ireland" has slipped to 14th place - some 734 miles behind the
    leader.
    "Rothmans" is the most easterly of this group and thus the farthest
    offshore from the Brazilian coast. "Fisher & Paykel" on the other
    hand,was so close inshore last night that her crew could clearly
    see lights on the shore 11-12 miles away.
    
    Positions at 0711 GMT 20th September
    Steinlager 2 (1,700 miles to go)
    Merit (1,917)
    Fisher  & Paykel (1,959)
    Rothmans (2,039)
    Gatorade (2,264)
    British Defender (2,271)
    The Card 2,282)
    Fazisi (2,290)
    Belmont Finland (2,320)
    Martela OF (2,349)
    Fortuna (2,439)
    Charles Jourdan (2,417)
    Union Bank of Finland (2,426)
    NCB Ireland (2,437)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    MERIT CLOSES ON LEADER
    Although Peter Blake's ketch "Steinlager 2" continues to  look the most
    likely winner of the Beefeater Trophy for the first leg,she could still
    be caught if fate takes a hand on the final dash to Punta del Este.
    Yesterday's Argos sattelite plot showed that a few more miles had been
    trimmed off her lead and that the Swiss sloop "Merit" skippered by the
    tenaceous Pierre Fehlmann was once again less than 200 miles astern.
    Steinlager 2's earlier speed of 9 knots suggested that she had less
    wind than the chasing pack,which besides "Merit" sailing at 11.9 knots
    - include "Fisher & Paykel" making 12.1 knots and "Rothmans" at 11.3
    knots. Anyone of these could come second or indeed catch "Steinlager
    2",and behind them is another group of 15 maxis in division A having a
    similar close tussle.
    They are being led by the Italian "Gatorade",skippered by Giorgio
    Falck,one of the fastest yachts in the last Whitbread race four years
    ago when she was called "NZI Enterprise", and now 530 miles astern of
    "Steinlager 2".
    
    Positions at 1340 GMT 21 September
    Steinlager 2 (1,406 miles to go)
    Merit (1,597)
    Fisher & Paykel (1,639)
    Rothmans (1,701)
    Gatorade (1,938)
    British Defender (1,961)
    The Card (1,961)
    Fazisi (1,974)
    Belmont Finland (2,008)
    Martela OF (2,028)
    Charles Jourdan (2,088)
    Fortuna (2,135)
    NCB Ireland (2,124)
    
    REgards,
    Tom
    

    STEINLAGER ALMOST THERE
    It is now predicted that Peter Blake's New Zealand ketch "Steinlager 2"
    will cross the finish line in first place on Tuesday evening,to be
    followed by "Merit" at midnight on Wednesday and then a few hours later
    by "Fisher & Paykel" and "Rothmans". "NCB Ireland" currently lying 13th
    overall (14th on corrected time) is due to arrive next Sunday. She lies
    some 840 miles behind Steinlager.
    
    Positions at 0751 gmt SEPTEMBER 24TH.
    Steinlager 2 (620 miles to go)
    Merit (865)
    Fisher & Paykel (895)
    Rothmans (988)
    The Card (1,313)
    Fazisi (1,319)
    British Defender (1,322)
    Gatorade (1,340)
    Belmont Finland (1,369)
    Martela OF (1,371)
    Charles Jourdan (1,418)
    Fortuna (1,465)
    Union Bank of Finland (1,457)
    NCB Ireland (1,460)
    
    Regards,
    Tom

    Today's Irish Times carried an additional item regarding the
    performance of "NCB Ireland". The sponsors are expressing concern that
    the yacht has not performed up to expectations on the first leg which
    the design team expected to be most favourable. The skipper,Joe
    English,has responded that even sailing in the company of "Union Bank
    of Finland",a much older boat,and known to be slower than some of the
    top contenders,they have not been able to match her speed. NCB would
    appear to be best in flat water both upwind and downwind,her weakness
    appears to be in reaching in sloppy sea conditions. Also some errors of
    judgement on board have been admitted although the crew are believed to
    be working very hard to win back ground lost.
    "Steinlager 2" is expected in Punta del Este late tonight or early
    tomorrow morning. NCB will not reach the finish until the
    weekend,whilst most of the tailenders are not expected until October
    10th. Powering down the coast of Brazil,past Rio,the fleet is making
    excellent time with a gap of 2,000 miles opened up between Steinlager 
    and "La Poste",crewed by French postmen,in last place. Yesterday the
    Irish entry was 727 miles astern of Steinlager averaging 12.2 knots
    whilst the leaders had slowed to 3.9 knots.
    Peter Blake's closest rival Merit was 245 miles astern with over 600
    miles to go to the finish line. Ever since the Equator six days ago
    Steinlager has maintained a 200 mile lead and it is unlikely that she
    can now be caught. In third position, "Fisher & Paykel" is only 33
    miles behind "Merit" and 90 miles ahead of "Rothmans",so second place
    is still open although Rothmans will have to make some high averages to
    make an impression.
    Roger Nilson's Swedish ketch "The Card" is a further 325 miles away.She
    has the Soviet "Fazisi" breathing down her neck with British Defender
    and the Italian "Gatorade" close by. Then there is a group of 6 maxis
    including NCB all within 100 miles of each other and with very variable
    winds the next few days will be fascinating. It will be a testing time
    for the crews with the added complications of sudden wind squalls
    pouring off the mountains - some with warning clouds during the day and
    others in the black of night.
    In the Cruiser class "With Integrity",on her fifth
    circum-navigation,and skippered by Welshman Andy Coghill,has once again
    regained the lead from her close rival "Creightons Naturally" which is
    about 1,900 miles astern of "Steinlager" and not expected to finish
    until October 10th. The French yacht "Esprit de Liberte",at 57 feet -
    one of the smallest in the fleet and skippered by Patrick Tabarly is
    ahead of Creightons and making good progress in the SE trades blowing
    at 15 to 18 knots yesterday.
    Meanwhile,Ludde Ingvalle's "Union Bank of Finland" has reported a
    serious problem with mast rigging. One of her runners is broken and the
    mast has limited support and the mainsail has to be reefed when the
    yacht is on that tack. This will slow her down until repairs can be
    made,which may not be possible until she reaches Punta del Este.
    
    Positions at 0555 GMT 25 September
    Steinlager 2 (494 miles to go)
    Merit (681)
    Fisher & Paykel (701)
    Rothmans (812)
    The Card (1,057)
    Fazisi (1,058)
    British Defender (1,114)
    Gatorade (1,114)
    Belmont Finland (1,120)
    Martella OF (1,137)
    NCB Ireland (1,221)
    
    

    Any explanation as to why PEPSI is withdrawing support
    from Fazisi?  She seems to be improving constantly, and
    her position is very respecatble.
    
    Regards,
    Dean F. (USA)
    

    A. The U.S.S.R. gave the official people's cola concession to Coke 
       and they are holding a grudge.
    
    B. Pepsi only likes to sponsor real winners like Dennis Conner.
    
    C. Pepsi didn't think advertising a cola was a good idea when the
       race sponsor is a beer company.
       
    D. The Fazisi crew sent a secret radio message intercepted by the
       Pepsi satellite to Punta Del Este to have plenty of Diet Coke 
       ready for the next leg.
       
    E. All of the above. 
                                                                   
    :-) :-) :-) 
    
    Brian who is greatly enjoying the updates on the race so please
    keep them coming!  
    
    P.S. Does anyone have a copy of the video DRUM from the last Whitbread
    and would mind lending it out for a few days?  I missed the chance
    to copy it last time it was on PBS/TDC/A&E etc.  

    I was heartened to read notes .29 and .30 as I was beginning to wonder
    if I was the only one interested in this file or the Whitbread!
    Normally I rely on the Irish Times for daily race information,today
    I could find no coverage. However one of our other National papers,the
    Irish Press, carried front page and other coverage.
    The front page report was a trifle on the sensation style with a report
    that the sponsors of NCB Ireland were increasingly worried that her
    poor performance so far would inhibit their ability to raise further
    funds to continue the race after Punta del Este. One spokesman for the
    SAil Ireland Project however has stated that there is no question of
    drawing back at this stage and expresses the hope that the next leg
    will be more favourable.
    Peter Blake of "steinlager 2" is wisely refusing to speculate on when
    he will cross the finish line. At midday yesterday he was a tantalising
    300n miles from the finish,but those 300 miles look like being as
    slow to complete as any in the race so far.
    Given a fresh beam wind,"Steinlager 2" could finish within 24 hours,but
    if the persistent head winds persist - or the breeze should die away -
    she might well take another two days.
    The British Telecom computer is predicting an arrival this afternoon
    with the next three yachts from the fleet of 23 arriving tomorrow.
    Blake is also worried by the Swiss sloop "Merit" which has gained
    100 miles in the past few days and is now only 123 miles astern. It is
    quite possible that "Merit" could avoid the adverse conditions that
    have slowed "Steinlager" and continue catching her to the finish.
    Both "Fisher & Paykel" and "Rothmans" have also gained on the leader
    during the past 24 hours and are both within striking distance of
    "Merit".
    "The Card" still holds fifth position just over 200 miles astern of
    Rothmans with an ETA of Saturday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Just so you know Tom, I've been following this note with a lot of
    interest.  Thanks for the constant updates.
    
    ... Bob
    

    
    Hi Tom,
    
    There is a group of us here in EER in Dublin following your reports
    too, please keep up the good work!
    
    Aedan Coffey.

    Tom,
       I follow your reports with avid interest. I live in the south
    UK and the press coverage here is appauling all I can get is a once
    weekly TV update from TVS the Southern ITN channel. It is suprising
    that the coverage is minimal when you consider that the sponsor
    is a UK Brewer of beer of an uncertain quality......
    
    Pete

    Hello Tom,
    
    Another follower here .......
    
    Keep up the good work.
    
    Robert.

    This is the ONLY input I receive (outside of the monthly Seahorse
    magazine) so KEEP IT UP!
    
    Dave
    
    P.S. Thanks

    This is the only input I see about the race, and look forward to it.
    Please keep it up, and thank you.
    
    I would think that there would be more coverage on the local news and
    papers but I have not seen any. Maybe at the end of the race we'll see
    and hear something, but your updates are very welcome.
    
    Don

    I look forward to the updates.  Keep them coming!!!!  Not much news
    here in Boxboro, Mass. about what's going on.
    	Thanks for all the work
    Ric

	The Colorado Springs paper hardly knows the ocean exists
	let alone a race on the world's oceans.  Please
	continue with your updates.

	Al

    Tom,
    
    I'm in here too, avidly reading your reports.  In fact I 'O SAI'
    before I 'O SIN' these days to check the positions and conditions
    and I don't even sail!  I'm a 15' Lyman runabout from South Bristol,
    Maine.

    Many thanks,
    
    Ben

    Great reports Tom!  They brighten up my day.  I live in Los Angeles
    and have been following your reports closely.  Keep 'em coming.
    The biggest boat I can afford right now is a windsurfer but I'm
    a big ocean racing fan.
    
    Don

    Well,well,what a turnout. Thank you all for the words of encouragement
    I guess there is no way I can stop now!
    
    LEADER STRUGGLES TO COMPLETE FIRST LEG
    Contrary winds are continuing to hinder "Steinlager 2",Peter Blake's
    New Zealand ketch as she struggled to complete the first leg of the
    Whitbread into Punta del Este yesterday. By midday she still had just
    over 100 miles of the 6,200 mile leg to complete and even if she was
    then able to sail at her race average of 9.6 knots over the final few
    miles,she would take another 10 hours.
    So her ETA keeps being put back and at her present speed of 7 knots it
    appears she will not cross the finish line to collect the first
    Beefeater Trophy of the race until early this morning.
    Still chasing hard in second place is "Merit",skippered by Pierre
    Fehlmann,now 110 miles astern and sailing at more than a knot faster
    than Steinlager. In a radio check to Punta del Este yesterday
    morning,Merit reported she was being helped along by a 15 knot easterly
    breeze,whereas Steinlager was plugging into a 9 knot headwind.
    Rothmans,the British sloop of Lawrie Smith,had different winds
    again,she was experiencing "plenty of wind from all directions". She
    was using all her sails in turn,including spinnaker. Rothmans is
    currently lying about fourth,as she has been for most of the
    course,about 80 miles astern of the other NZ ketch Fisher &
    Paykel,skippered by Grant Dalton.The NZ yacht is closer to the
    Brazilian coast,which explains why the two maxis are experiencing
    different winds.
    Another 200 miles back along the course,a second group of maxis are
    tightly bunched in terms of distance to go,although fairly widely
    spread on the water.
    The highest speeds of the morning were recorded by Ludde Ingvall in
    Union Bank of Finland and NCB Ireland,which were both sailing at over
    11 knots. They were near the back of Division A with another 600 miles
    to the finish.
    
    Meanwhile here in Ireland todays papers carried a report in which the
    NCB design team weighed in to support NCB Ireland. Rumours of a cash
    crisis were dismissed by the Chairman of the Sail Ireland project. Mr
    Des Burke-Kennedy,who leads the campaign said that although �1.5M still
    had to be raised to cover the cost of Ireland's first entry into the
    event it was far too early to draw conclusions on performance.
    Butch Dalrymple-Smith of Ron Holland design also said that although
    there was some disappointment over the relatively poor placing,it was
    far too early to draw conclusions about overall performance. "We had
    every reason to expect that the boat would be up in the first bunch at
    this stage,but obviously Merit and Rothmans - both of which were
    regarded as being in the same league - are moving faster than we
    are",he said. "The stop in Punta del Este will provide a chance to
    reassess the boat". "Judging by reports from the skipper,we are
    performing worst in conditions where there is little wind and sloppy
    seas. NCB is the most stable boat in the fleet and has the biggest
    mainsail.THe most favourable conditions will be where stability matters
    - in the next leg for instance. The race can be won and lost in the
    second,third and fourth legs".
    Butch went on to talk about possibilities of re-tuning and sail
    re-modeling to develop more drive in light winds. "200 miles seperates
    us from fifth place and that margin is nothing in this type of race",he
    said. "It is the sort of gap you can close with three days of lucky
    sailing.The fastest boats don't normally win races like this".
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Well, anyone have a real answer to Dean's question?  Why is Pepsi
    yanking sponsorship from Fazisi or has that not been disclosed yet?
    By the way, Fisher & Paykel is for sale if anyone is interested
    in a lightly used maxi.  It will be available in the late spring/early
    summer 1990.  I'm sure they will even deliver it for you to your
    home port.  Gene, you out there? You said you wanted to move up
    a bit from the Etchell's, well how 'bout it? ;-)
    
    Brian 

    Network problems have prevented me from getting a further report into
    the file until now.
    On Thursday of last week "Steinlager 2" skippered by Peter Blake,a
    veteran of all the previous Whitbread races,crossed the finish line in
    first place. Having completed the 6,281 mile course in 25 days,it is
    likely that he will win on both elapsed and corrected time.
    The last few days saw "Steinlager" beating into strong southerly winds
    which slowed her down and made conditions on board very uncomfortable.
    The Swiss sloop "Merit" skippered by Pierre Felhmann,who finished first
    in the last Whitbread race,crossed the line in second place 12 hours
    later.
    On Friday "Fisher & Paykel" and "Rothmans" were battling for third
    position only to find themselves becalmed in heavy rain 10 miles from
    the finish. Fisher & Paykel subsequently took third and Rothmans
    fourth.
    Fisher & Paykel,skippered by Grant Dalton had lost her mizzen mast and
    some sails in a severe storm on September 23rd.
    "Steinlager 2" finished just before dawn in a chilly Punta del Este and
    was greeted by a crowd of several hundred. Blake explained at a press
    conference afterwards that the yacht had been jury rigged for about 18
    hours a couple of days previously after a problem with the mainsail.
    "It suddenly tumbled down around our ears as a couple of pins fell
    out.The only way to get the sail back up was to get someone to the top
    of the mast.,so we sent two men up.Although they took a terrific
    pounding at the top of the mast they did'nt want us to alter course to
    make it easier,they were happy for us to keep on slamming because it
    meant that we would loose less time and ground to Merit".
    Today's Irish Times reported that "NCB Ireland" had finished in 13th
    position on Sunday, 3 days,8 hours,and 41 minutes after "Steinlager 2".
    Irish international helmsman Harold Cudmore is among the shore team who
    flew out to Uruguay. Consultations on her disappointing performance are
    to take place with her skipper and crew today. Argos sattelite reports
    indicated that the Irish yacht made steady progress at 10 knots right
    up to the finish in light airs leaving "Union Bank of Finland" five
    hours astern.
    One of the closest finishes ever seen on any leg of a Whitbread was
    witnessed by a crowd of spectators as four maxis crossed the finish
    line within 1hour and 3 minutes of each other early on Sunday.
    Only 2 minutes and 40 seconds seperated the Russian "Fazisi" in 6th
    place from the Italian sloop "Gatorade" in 7th. These two boats had
    never been more than a few miles apart during the previous few
    days,with "Gatorade" closing the gap all the time.
    In 8th position was "Martela OF",29 minutes ahead of "British
    Defender". Several hours ahead of these four yachts was the Swedish
    ketch "The Card". Although ketches took first,third and fifth
    places,most of the leading skippers concede that it was tactics that
    won this leg for "Steinlager".The Swiss sloop "Merit" and the British
    "Rothmans" are acknowledged to have been equally competitive.
    It will be about two days before the remainder of the 23 strong fleet
    arrives in Uruguay. The all women entry "Maiden",with Angela Farrell
    from Dalkey among the crew is expected in later this week. The second
    leg from Punta del Este to Freemantle starts on October 28th.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Terrific coverage tom!!
    
    Can you list the starting and finishing locations for the individual
    legs along with the dates?
    
    - gene

    Thanks for the continuous reporting...
    
    from Southern California, I wait for the next...
    
    					John Papa

    Tom,
    
    Thanks for posting the updates.  I've vicariously enjoyed the crossing.
    
    djc
    

    
    In spite of the disappointing performance of NCB Ireland skipper Joe
    English appeared unconcerned at the press conference which followed
    their arrival in Punta del Este on Sunday afternoon. "The boat did'nt
    suffer any damage and there were no rigging or sail failures and we
    raced the boat the hardest we could,we are pleased with her
    performance.We have an extremely good crew,we've learnt a lot about
    each other and everyone has settled into a tight group," said English.
    However,the arrival of Harold Cudmore,one of the project consultants,in
    Uruguay,must raise concerns among the sponsors,over tactics employed
    during the first leg and the general performance of the boat.
    "Satquote British Defender" had problems on the first leg,the spinnaker
    crane came completely off the mast at Cape Finnisterre "and disappeared
    into the night." This meant they had to jury rig the spinnaker halyard
    turning block,and to reef the mainsail they had to put a man aloft to
    remove the jury rig and allow the mainsail to come down.
    "We had a man up the mast to hoist the spinnaker,then to transfer it
    onto the halyard.To drop it we had to gybe,then gybe again to get it up
    on the otherside. We kept a man up the mast five hours a day,it was
    usually Paul Anderson the bowman or Andy Bristow,a mountaineer.Andy
    lived up there quite happily.He trained for the last expedition by
    hanging in a deep freeze for 48 hours!"
    "Gatorade" are protesting the race committee about priveledged
    information "Fazisi" and "Martela OF" "overheard" on the radio which
    allowed them to move into a restricted oil pipeline area.In addition,
    "Martela OF" may forward a protest to the committee after hitting the
    unmarked floating pipeline.The yacht was undamaged but was delayed
    whilst the crew pushed the pipeline away.
    
    Finishing place on corrected time and time of arrival Punta del Este
    1.Steinlager 2 (28/9 0801 GMT)
    2.Merit (28/9 1926)
    3.Fisher & Paykel (29/9 1505)
    4.Rothmans (29/9 1844)
    5.The Card (30/9 1758)
    6.Gatorade (1/10 0037)
    7.Fazisi (1/10 0035)
    8.Martela OF (1/10 0109)
    9.British Defender (1/10 0138)
    10.Fortuna Extra Lights (1/10 0704)
    11.Charles Jourdan (1/10 0725)
    12.Belmont of Finland (1/10 0736)
    13.NCB Ireland (1/10 1842)
    14. Union Bank of Finland (2/10 0104
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    I believe British Defender is crewed by a UK Tri-service team.....Any
    thoughts on whether it was an RN,Army or RAF team member who indulged
    in pole sitting........
    
    Pete 

    Reference .49 - Pete,I don't know which arm of the forces was involved.
    
    WEEK SEPERATES LAST ARRIVALS
    Now that the majority of the maxis in Division A have completed the
    first leg,the race organisers in Portsmouth & Punta del Este have a few
    days to prepare for the arrival of the smaller yachts and the cruisers.
    These divisions are more widely seperated than the maxis - with one
    exception - and there will be about a week between the first arrival
    this morning which is expected to be the Dutch yacht "Equity & Law" and
    the last,which will almost certainly be the French yacht "La Poste"
    which is crewed by French postmen.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    There are no reports from Punta del Este in today's papers,I will take
    the opportunity to include details of Leg 2.
    
    Course:Punta del Este,Uruguay to Freemantle,Australia. 7,650 miles
    Departure: 28 October
    ETA : 29 November - 10 December
    
    After the stopover in Punta del Este, the yachts head out into the
    Great Southern Ocean. It is here that the conditions will be most
    frightening. It is not just the wind and waves, which build up enormous
    power as they travel unchecked around the world, but the cold and
    incredible feeling of isolation emphasise the daunting conditions.
    The shortest route goes far to the South, and the prudent skipper will
    have to compromise sailing a longer course against the risks of ice
    bergs and the delays of circuiting them. They may be several miles
    across. The water will not be above 1 degree C.. and the wet and
    wind-chill makes an hour on deck a gruelling test of endurance.
    Yachts will approach Freemantle from the South, no doubt finishing in
    grand style as the "Freemantle Doctor", the daily thermal breeze which
    brings healthy fresh air into the coast, gives them a run into the
    line.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    With reference to .45
    
    LEG   DEPARTURE              ARRIVE                       DISTANCE
    1     PORTSMOUTH 2 SEP       PUNTA DEL ESTE 9-16 OCT      6,281 MILES
    2     PUNTA DEL ESTE 28 OCT  FREEMANTLE 29 NOV - 10 DEC   7,650
    3     FREEMANTLE 23 DEC      AUCKLAND 12 - 16 JAN         3,434
    4     AUCKLAND 3 FEB         PUNTA DEL ESTE 28 FEB -8 MAR 6,255
    5     PUNTA DEL ESTE 17 MAR  FORT LAUDERDALE 13 - 21 APR  5,475
    6     FORT LAUDERDALE 5 MAY  PORTSMOUTH 21 - 29 MAY       3,837
    
                                        TOTAL DISTANCE  32,932 MILES
    
    Regards,
    Tom
     

    YACHT'S DAMAGE NOT TOO SERIOUS
    "Stories of a mortal wound to the British yacht "Rothmans",which are
    appearing in the world's press are somewhat premature," Mike Pavitt,
    the project manager,said in Punta del Este,where the boats are being
    prepared for the next leg.
    He had just returned from Montevideo,the capital of Uruguay,where the
    yacht skippered by Laurie Smith had been lifted out for repairs to her
    deck. The boat had been met there by Rob Lipsett and Adrian
    Thompson,who had been responsible for building her last year in
    England.
    After a detailed inspection of the 70cm crack which she had sustained
    while driving hard in a gale three days before the end of the race,they
    announced themselves happy that the damage was superficial.
    Over the next few days the weakened section of the deck on either side
    of the two steering wheels at the forward end of Smith's cockpit,will
    be cut away and reinforced.
    Rob Humphreys,the yachts designer,has confirmed that Rothmans lying in
    fourth position, will actually be stronger than before with no weight
    disadvantage.
    Laurie Smith's comment on the situation was, "We will end up with a
    stronger and faster boat which will severely test the Kiwis on the next
    leg.I shall be going flat out to get to Freemantle first."
    Only 7 of the 23 entries in the race were still at sea yesterday trying
    to complete the first leg.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ONLY ONE YACHT STILL AT SEA
    On Saturday Tracy Edwards and her all-girl crew finished the first leg.
    It was an impressive performance and put the 58 foot "Maiden" third in
    her class on corrected time. "Maiden" took 35 days at an average speed
    of 7 knots. Later on Saturday Andrew Coghill's 77 footer "With
    Integrity" and the German 63 footer "Schlussel Von Bremen" also arrived
    in Punta del Este.
    The only yacht still at sea is the French 51 footer "La Poste", the
    smallest boat in the race, she is expected to arrive today.
    Bob Salmon's largely unsponsored 80 ft. "Liverpool Enterprise" does not
    have the funds to be lifted out at this stop over and her crew will not
    be able to service the boat as well as they would have liked.
    Yesterdays Observer newspaper reported the experiences of the Swedish
    maxi "The Card", which arrived fifth after experiencing hard on the
    wind sailing in the last days. After one particularly hard landing off
    a steep wave the deck was lifted by two centimetres. She had a smooth
    passage across the Bay of Biscay but by Cape Finnisterre was running
    before a gale with full main and heavy spinnaker at 24 knots.
    By Madeira she was becalmed a little north of the island but largely
    the remainder of the voyage was uneventful.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Tom,
    
    I have not been able to read Sailing for about a month, and so have
    only now been able to follow your account of the race. OUTSTANDING
    coverage ! 
    
    I (belatedly) want to add my thanks to you for your efforts. Can't
    wait for the next leg !
    
    JC
    
     
   

    Tom,
    Thanks!! Here in Italy this is the ONLY coverage I get and I can only
    say it --helps--  get me through the long periods of no sailing...
    Likewise this notes file! Thanks guys and gals!
    
    Ciao, Ed

    LAST BOAT COMES INTO URUGUAY
    Daniel Malle's "La Poste" crossed the finishing line yesterday at 0719
    GMT, she became the 23rd and last yacht to safely complete the first
    leg.
    Although "La Poste" was last across the line - and the smallest boat in
    the fleet, by seven feet, could hardly expect to finish any higher -
    "La Poste" was placed ahead of the two maxis in the cruiser class on
    corrected time. She was last on handicap in division D of her own class
    however, finishing nearly three days on corrected time behind the class
    winner, "Rucanor Sport" skippered by Bruno Dubois of Belgium.
    
    In Ireland, last weekend's Sunday Tribune carried a detailed report
    from Punta del Este following Harold Cudmore's inquisition on NCB's
    performance during the first leg.
    Cudmore's report to the Sail Ireland committee is likely to apportion
    most of the blame for poor performance on the crew rather than the
    boat. As previously reported, the tactics employed showed a weakness.
    Little blame is being placed on the boat's design or the crew's ability
    to sail her.
    Mistakes were made early. Off Cape Finnisterre, soon after the start of
    the race, NCB was doing well in 7th position and Joe English decided to
    hold his course. Several others, including "Steinlager" turned west
    further out to sea. Other boats turned east. Thirty six hours later,
    the boats who turned west were 150 miles ahead. Hopes remained high
    that the Doldrums would slow the leaders which would allow NCB to catch
    up. Going into the Doldrums NCB was lying 12th having recovered
    slightly. Three days later, delayed by calms, she emerged 13th again.
    Meanwhile the leaders had extended their lead. The Russian "Fazisi" had
    been 43 miles behind and about the same distance to the east going into
    the Doldrums. When NCB emerged into fresher winds the Russians were in
    8th place and 100 miles ahead.
    There was a lot of luck involved: NCB could just as easily finished 5th
    instead of 13th.
    NCB paid a large penalty for being at the rear of the fleet. The winds
    formed by the South Atlantic weather systems benefitted the leading
    boats and increased their leads whilst holding back the boats at the
    rear.
    During the voyage Joe English responded by replacing the boat's
    navigator, electronics expert Arthur Radford, with another crewman,
    Graeme Handly, a 28 year old New Zealander who had sailed in previous
    Whitbreads and was expected to be a more experienced weather
    forecaster.
    There will be further crew changes but nobody will be leaving the boat.
    Two crew members have been approached by "Steinlager" to leave and join
    it but they have refused.
    It should be remembered also that Joe English had only six weeks to
    prepare for the race after taking over from his predecessor, American
    Bobby Campbell and that the final crew selection was left until just
    two weeks before the race started.
    
    Lack of cash is likely to force Bob Salmon, English skipper of
    "Liverpool Enterprise" out of the race. His boat is the only one in
    Punta del Este which has sails stored on deck to provide more room for
    the crew below decks. While other crews are living ashore, his sleep
    aboard the boat, an older yacht prepared on a shoestring budget. Last
    Thursday Salmon, a 52 year old professional yachtsman, was admitting
    defeat. He needs �120,000 to finish the race.
    
    Dirk Nauta, the Dutch skipper of "Equity & Law" came second on handicap
    in the last Whitbread four years ago. He was sailing the same boat,
    then named "Phillips Innovator". Last week he was one of the most
    bitter skippers in Punta del Este. A change in the handicap rules now
    mean that his smaller but still competitive yacht can never hope to
    match the bigger leaders.
    
    "NCB Ireland's" only defects on the voyage were her electronic
    instruments which failed 600 miles from the finish. The damage meant
    that the on board tactical computer could not be used in the final
    stages. Last week Harold Cudmore took the yacht to sea to calibrate the
    replacement instruments and retune the rig. Amongst the spares put on
    board was a special compass for use in the southern ocean where close
    proximity to the south pole means that a normal compass would be
    unreliable.
    
    Social interaction between the crews has been limited. Peter Blake
    refuses to allow visiting crews below decks on Steinlager on which boat
    most attention has been focussed. The NCB crew remain tightly knit and
    have been too concerned with preparing for the next leg. Their
    solidarity has been consolidated by mutual disappointment and the
    hardships of the voyage. Gordon Maguire commented that the worst was
    lack of sleep. The noise of the hull pounding into the sea is
    deafening. It is made of carbon fibre and behaves like a giant drum.
    A system of fines was introduced for those who nodded off during watch
    and a golden blanket award, for the sleepiest crewman, was won by
    ship's doctor, Paul Salmon.
    The Russians on "Fazisi" would gladly swop places however. Their
    slender yacht is so low in the water that the decks are constantly
    awash. They finished the race with noy a single dry sleeping bag
    between them.
    There are no comforts aboard NCB. Crewmen eat from simple plastic bowls
    sitting astride spare sails. The only table is the chart table reserved
    for navigation. Crewmen, in the interests of hygene below decks, are
    discouraged from using the single toilet on board. Weather permitting,
    all activities take place on deck over the lee rail.
    Joe English is anxious for the start of the second leg on 28th October.
    He believes it is the one which will provide NCB with the opportunity
    to catch up on the leaders.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Happened to see two videos last night on the Whitbread.  One was of the
    '82 race and one featured Drum in the '86 race.  Both indicated that
    this first leg should be one of the easier legs and the real stuff has
    yet to hit the fan.  There were shots of the old Flyer surfing down
    southern ocean waves at 30 knots plus.  Also shots of guys chipping ice
    off of winches and lines.  Can't think of anything more miserable!
    
    Peter Blake was featured a lot on Ceramco NZ.  He is one tough guy.
    The race is amazing.  I can see where crew morale is crucial to
    success.  The thought of one absolute winner seems a little ridiculous
    given the many weather systems these guys go through.  Luck has a lot
    to do with the results as well as the driving onward in incredibly bad
    weather.  Anyway, I'd hate to see this turn into an America's Cup sort
    of thing with animosity between crews and undue secrecy.  Also hope the
    U.S. gets into this thing by the next go around.
    
    Dave

    
    
    there has been a report on the radio here in n.z. that the russian
    skipper of frassi was found dead outside punta del este overnight,
    he had been missing for the last 3 days.
    
    the media coverage here on nz is extensive as would be expected with 2
    yachts in the race with 2 reports each week on tv and the radio carries 
    12 hourly reports when the yachts are at sea,there was live coverage of
    the start. Last week the tv showed video's from steinlager and rothmans
    on the first leg sufing down waves on the first leg with peter blake 
    saying they were doing about 25kts it was very impressive,all the
    yacht's carry video cameras on this race .
    
    regards revel
    

    YACHTSMAN FOUND DEAD
    Today's Irish Times reported that Alexi Grischenko, the co-skipper of
    Fazisi, the Russian challenger, was found dead hanging from a tree in
    Punta del Este.
    Missing since Sunday, he was found approximately one mile from the
    yacht harbour where the fleet is preparing for the next leg.
    A note was found with Grischenko which local police now have.
    They are questioning members of the crew and the dead Russian's
    co-skipper, American Skip Novak. Translated details of the note have
    not yet been released.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

From the Boston Globe:

MISSING SAILOR FOUND HANGING FROM A TREE

Reuters

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - The body of a soviet yachtsman taking part in a
round-the-world race was found hanging from a tree in the Uruguayan resort of
Punta del Este yesterday morning, police said.

Alexei Gryshenko, captain of the US-sponsored Fazisi yacht, had been missing for
two days.  Police could give no details.

Gryshenko co-skippered the Fazisi, which sports a Pepsi Cola logo and a red
hammer and sickle on it's spinnaker, on the races 6,300-mile first leg from 
Southampton, England, to Punta del Este, 75 miles east of Montevideo.

He was due to take sole command of the 17-man Soviet crew for the rest of the
33,000-mile course after his co-captain, American Skip Novak, helped complete
the first leg.

The organizing committee of the 25-boat Whitbread Round the World race reported
Gryshenko missing Tuesday night.

    Question:  If you were Skip Novak and the Russians asked you to 
    captain the boat after the first captain was "hung out to dry", 
    would you ?
    
    
       

    It was announced in todays Daily Telegraph, that Fazisi will continue
    with the race, with Skip Novak as sole skipper.According to the
    report, they have yet to contact their main sponsors ( Fazisi is
    a Russian commercial orgainzation with strong links with the West)
    but otherwise plans are going ahead.
    
    Talks are underway with 'several Western organizations' to replace the
    sponsorship withdrawn by Pepsi. Their sixth place in the 15 strong
    maxi fleet was extremely creditable for such a hurridly prepared
    and radical yacht, and the publicity surrounding the boat should
    attract a new sponsor quite quickly.
    

    It has been confirmed that the death of Alexi Gryschenko was suicide.
    Two letters were found on the body. Gryschenko was to have returned to
    the USSR after leg 1. He had been mainly responsible for the project
    since its inception, including the building of the boat and the
    enormous effort in getting it to the start. The performance of the
    untried boat was impressive and culminated in a sixth place, beating
    many of the world's leading yachts.
    THe crew are deeply shocked and no decision has been made as to whether
    or not they will continue the race.
    
    Further participation of the French entry "Esprit de Liberte" now seems
    more likely after the crew appeared to have been abandoned by their
    management team on arrival in Punta del Este. Patrick Tabarly, the
    skipper, has returned to Paris and has reported to the crew that he is
    attempting to raise sufficient funds for them to continue.
    
    NCB Ireland's reported problems pale when compared with the
    difficulties of the Soviet team. Likewise when compared with the
    reported sacking of the skipper of "British Defender"; Bob Salmon's
    problems with "liverpool Enterprise" and structural problems with other
    yachts.
    It's fair to say that last minute crew changes before the start made
    the first leg a practice one for a number of the crew - not least
    Gordon Maguire who came straight from the winning British Admirals Cup
    Team.
    One crew change has been confirmed. American Arthur Radford, navigator
    on leg 1 is switching with New Zealander Graeme Handly. It will be
    interesting to see what effect this will have on leg 2.
    Former skipper Bob Campbell, speaking from his home in Boston was
    reluctant to make comments on crew performance. However he was
    disappointed with the result and felt that the yacht should have done
    better. He thinks that the boat shape is OK and that the design is not
    far off. While he could not be drawn further, Campbell's views are
    shared by others although in conflict with those of the crew.
    But the fact that NCB has held together very well - unlike several
    other competitors - is a good omen for the tough Southern Ocean that
    lies ahead. Likewise with strong tail winds and more certainty in
    weather conditions, the tactical considerations will be less, with boat
    speed ultimately dominating and crew endurance which will determine the
    winners in Australia.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Although there is no American entry, it seems a lot
    of Americans are participating in this race, and
    at fairly high levels.  Are there any nationality
    requirements for skippers and crew?
    
    Regards,
    Dean (USA)

    Reference note .65
    I don't have any information on what the spread of Americans is in the
    crews of other yachts. In the case of NCB Ireland origionally there
    were perhaps six or so including her first skipper Bob Cambell from
    Boston. Certainly for the Irish entry there were few experienced Irish
    nationals with the experience of this type of racing or for that matter
    maxi experience.
    Right now she has two American crew members:
    Eric Soper, a master shipwright from Connecticut who has extensive
    world racing experience, he has competed in the South China Sea race,
    Pan Am Clipper Cup, Big Boat series and the Sydney Hobart among others.
    He also sailed in the last Whitbread on "Atlantic Privateer".
    Arthur Radford is from San Diego, a qualified computer engineer but now
    a full time Marine Consultant/Engineer. He has sailed over 200,000
    miles and taken part in two Whitbreads on "Zargo 3" and "Privateer".
    
    Perhaps other Americans will now join NCB, as the latest buzz I heard
    was that two of her crew had defected to "Rothmans".
    
    The New Zealanders seem to predominate on a lot of the boats. Its a
    great pity that none of the three American yachts planning to take part
    actually made it into the race.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    On Tuesday, in a surprise development,NCB Ireland lost two crew members
    who defected to "Rothmans". Gordon Maguire of Howth and Henri Hiddes of
    Holland left to join "Rothmans" with only 11 days to go to the start of
    the second and most demanding leg.
    There are conflicting reports as to the reasons. Having joined NCB
    fresh from the winning British Admirals Cup team, only last week
    Maguire was on record expressing confidence in the team and the yacht.
    Joe English expressed disappointment in the development and said in
    Punta del Este, " we heard Rothmans were offering substantial
    inducements to get additional crew for the second leg and we knew that
    approaches had been made to the Irish crew. Nevertheless, we were
    taken aback when we heard of Gordon Maguire's and Henri Hiddes'
    decision."
    It is understood that Rothmans will not, in fact, be paying their new
    recruits much more money. However it is understood that Maguire had a
    good working relationship with with the Rothmans skipper, Laurie Smith,
    a factor which is so important in this form of long distance sailing.
    When viewed in the context that 7 crewmen were reported to have moved
    from "Fisher & Paykel", one of the leading New Zealand challengers,
    with smaller crew changes in several of the other yachts, the NCB
    changes are not of massive significance. However, in a team whichhas
    had a considerable hiding for mistakes on the first leg, the damage to
    morale could be significant.
    Des Burke-Kennedy, chairman of the Sail Ireland campaign, pointed out
    that though a helmsman on board, Maguire was one of eight helmsmen and
    was not a watch leader or an indespensible member of the crew.
    The actual amount of money being paid to the professional sailors is
    not known. However reports indicate that salaries are in the region of
    �500 a week for leading crew members. As far as can be established,
    Maguire & Hiddes were not under contract snd were being paid on a
    weekly basis.
    English expressed his feelings on the pairs move to Rothmans, "We take
    this as a compliment, He (Laurie Smith) has already had to borrow some
    of our equipment to repair his yacht in Montevideo, now he needs some
    of our crew for the gruelling Southern Ocean leg."
    
    "Esprit de Liberte" will not be continuing in the race because she no
    longer has any funds. "Patrick Dubourg, project manager for the yacht,
    has not been traced with passports and sponsors' money," a statement
    for the organisers issued in London said. It added: "Patrick Tabarly,
    the skipper, has been in Paris to raise more sponsorship money but so
    far he has had no luck."
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    "ESPRIT DE LIBERTE" WITHDRAWN
    Organisers of the Whitbread Race have confirmed that the French yacht
    "Esprit de Liberte" has been withdrawn due to financial difficulties.
    This follows the disappearance of the shore manager Patrick Dubourg
    along with sponsors' cash and the crew's passports.
    When the French boat reached Punta del Este, her crew expected to meet
    Dubourg with enough money needed to buy supplies for the next leg. When
    Dubourg could not be found, skipper Patrick Tabarly flew to Paris in an
    unsuccessful bid to trace him. The crew are reported to be virtually
    destitute with some members hoping to sign on with other yachts.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Suicide, defection, theft.  Beginning to upstage
    the America's Cup.  Could a sex scandal be too far
    behind?  For instance, are we certain there are no men
    on "Maiden?"
    
    ;)

    Are they looking for volunteers?
    
    Dave

    This all sounds quite mercenary on the parts of crews.  Is this type of
    switching around the norm for the Whitbread?  I thought this event was
    supposed to instill comeraderie among the crew members etc.  I can
    understand crew members from ill fated entries looking for another
    ride.  So much for loyalty.  
    
    Brian 
     

    "FAZISI" WILL RACE ON
    Tensions are building in Punta del Este as the remaining yachts prepare
    for the start of Leg 2 on Saturday next.
    The Soviet "Fazisi" will after all continue with the race despite the
    tragic death of Alexi Gryschenko.
    This together with the sacking of the army skipper on British
    Defender,the dissapearance of the French project manager, flu amongst
    the teams, food poisoning and the defection of crew from NCB have all
    helped to liven up the South American port.
    Howth sailor, Gordon Maguire's defection to Rothmans continues to annoy
    former crew members in the way it was done. The move has drwan a great
    deal of negative comment, while Maguire himself has beenb keeping a low
    profile.
    The two replacements for NCB will fly in from Tasmania. They are
    Australians Toby Richardson and Roy Gumley. Both are understood to be
    highly regarded sailors with some 12 Metre and Admirals Cub
    backgrounds.
    Joe English was keen to emphasise that these two new crewmen are
    committed to one leg only and have not been poached from any existing
    yacht teams - clearly a reaction to the Rothman's situation.
    Although presenting a brave face, the NCB crew are clearly troubled and
    on edge and anxious to get away to sea. The bad press they have been
    receiving has been difficult for them to comprehend
    
    The suicide of Gryschenko received sensational press coverage as a TV
    crew were tipped off prior to the police finding the body. The gruesome
    business of cutting him down was thus screened nationally.
    For a time it looked as though the Soviets would pull out but a
    decision to continue was made on confirmation that they had sufficient
    sponsorship to reachy Australia.
    
    On Saturday October 21 st, Jan Gustavsson, a crew member on "The Card"
    was involved in a motor cycle accident in the centre of Punta del Este.
    He suffered head injuries and is now under specialist treatment in
    Montevideo where his condition is stable but critical.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Gordon Maguire, now settling in to the Rothman's camp has broken his
    silence and said that his departure from NCB was a career move. He says
    there was no extra money involved and did not realise the outcry his
    move would generate. He said "Frankly, my long term prospects sailing
    with the Rothman's guys and Laurie Smith are much better."
    Responding to criticism that only a few days before his abrupt
    departure he was quoted as saying how wonderful life was on NCB.
    Maguire said, What else could I have said in my position. The offer
    from Laurie Smith had not been made and I was part of a team."
    Surely then Maguire was playing politics, when asked was this what it
    takes to get to the top in yachting, his reply was, "it was politics."
    
    Jan Gustavsson, a Whitbread veteran from Simon Le Bon's "Drum" remains
    in a Montevideo hospital,seriously injured. His motorcycle collided
    with that of Guy Schelkens, a Belgian crew member of the Dutch yacht
    "Equity & Law". Schelkens suffered bruises and shock but according to
    doctors Gustavsson went into an irreversable coma.
    
    As reported earlier in .57, the controversial rule decision - to change
    from a time on distance to a time on time handicapping system - by the
    Royal Naval Sailing Association has led to a protest from Dutch
    skipper, Dirk Nauta. He and other non-maxi skippers feel that the time
    on time system favours the maxi yachts considerably. He believes it
    makes it impossible for the smaller yachts to reacxh a goal of handicap
    victory, thus rendering all investment and effort useless.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    
    
    On Super Channel last night there was a programme on the first leg
    of the Whitbread. It had some very good shot from on board the leading
    boats, including what I think was the incident where Rothmans got
    damaged. I only caught the end of the programme, I was just flicking
    around the channels, so I don't know if NCB (JCB, Phoenix) was
    featured. Super Channel are forever repeating programmes so watch
    the listings. I seem to remember seeing an add for Whitbread coverage
    on Channel 4 some time ago.  Does anybody have more details ?
    
    Regards
    
    Robert      

    Can some one explain time on time handicapping and how it favors
    larger yachts?
    
    - gene

    Re .73  The Swedish yachtsman died from his injurys yesterday.
    
    Re .74  The Channel 4 coverage ( probably the same program as
    Super Channel) was last Saturday night. Some stunning footage
    from Steinlager and the other boats.
    
    Re .75  Time on Time is the conventional way of assessing IOR results,
    	    i.e. multiply your time by your TMF to get corrected time.
    	    Time on distance ( I think ) is when each yacht is given
            a pre-determined time allowance, based on the expected time
    	    to complete the leg. I have no idea why it favours the bigger
    	    boats.
    
    Chris.
    

    At a press conference in Dublin yesterday, Harold Cudmore announced
    improvements which are expected to help NCB on the next leg.
    Harry is sailing consultant to the project and largely responsible for
    crew selection. His fact finding trip to Punta del Este brought about
    the following comment, "Having analysed the race,weather charts,
    reports etc., I concluded that a series of mistakes were made,
    particularly in going on the wrong side of the wind gradient line off
    Cape Finnisterre. There was also general agreement that our weather fax
    system was not up to standard."
    The outcome of Cudmore's findings are that Graeme Handley took over
    from Arthur Redford as navigator and a new sattelite imager capable of
    providing better weather information .
    Cudmore added, "I have every confidence in the skipper, Joe English,
    but I believe he needs to be more decisive. The crew are about to face
    a challenge which will test their expertise to the limit, but I would
    expect them to be better placed at the end of the next leg." On the
    trip to Freemantle they will be sailing close to the Antarctic ice
    line, which will mean extremes of temperature and winds up to 80 or 90
    knots.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    P.S. Starting on Monday next at noon informationon NCB will be
    available on freephone 123999
    

    HURRICANE WINDS TO THE SOUTH
    Wind reports of 94 knots from latitude 45 south sent shudders through
    the fleet yesterday. Killian Bushe, builder and crew member on NCB
    Ireland commented, "thats a hurricane,the fleet would be wiped".
    And while he suggested that his own boat might last a bit longer being
    acknowledged as stronger and heavier, there is little doubt that winds
    of this strength will produce a very tough battle.
    
    Enda O'Coineen, yachting correspondent to the Irish Times, has joined
    the crew of "With Integrity", the 73 foot ex Great Britain 2 which took
    line honours in the first Whitbread in 1973 and the subsequent one in
    1977. Since then the yacht has competed in all the races and could now
    virtually smell her way round the course. She is skippered by ANdy
    Coghill (He broke a thumb on Leg1). The crew totals 15 of seven
    nationalities. In addition to Jamaican based Deirdre O'Callaghan and
    Corin Mackenzie from Killinchey the two other Irish, there is Bill
    Bridel who came straight from an Australian shrimp boat, Craig McKenzie
    the Kiwi cook, Jassen Dieter from Belgium, and the American girl Kim
    Saunders Fisher from the US Women's challenge which dropped out because
    of lack of sponsorship.
    Enteredin the Cruiser Class, "With Integrity" is having her own private
    race with "Creighton's Naturally", built in '80 as FCF Challenger and
    also a Whitbread veteran.
    
    On NCB Ireland, the doctor on board, Paul Salmon, reckons that he is
    ready for most eventualities. Ranging from an inflatable instant splint
    in the event of limbs being broken to emergency treatment for appendix,
    Salmon expressed satisfaction with his preparations.
    "Basically we've got a very fit and healthy bunch of guys. The biggest
    complaint I have to deal with is skin sores, chafe and the effects of
    long periods of dampness on the skin," Salmon says.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Won't the RC postpone the start in the event of 
    known hurricane conditions in the fleet's immediate path?!?
        
    Dean

    
>    Won't the RC postpone the start in the event of 
>    known hurricane conditions in the fleet's immediate path?!?
    
     No.
    
     Hurricane conditions are obviously not very nice, but any boat
     sailing in the southern ocean must be able to weather such conditions.

     

    Of course, any offshore vessel should be prepared for the
    possiblity -- these racers in particular -- but to
    deliberately send them into a hurricane's teeth
    when a week's delay could avoid the brunt, to me that
    almost qualifies as criminal negligence.  I can't
    believe a responsible RC would make that decision.
    But if these are the condiditons and that's what they do, 
    then the Whitbread certainly is shaping up to be the "Dallas" 
    of world-class sailing events.
        
    Dean

    NEW ZEALAND YACHT AGAIN IN THE LEAD
    "Steinlager 2" was still in the lead on Leg 2 yesterday. She was 10
    miles ahead of her nearest rival, "Union Bank of Finland". Fourteen
    miles seperated the next four yachts, "Fisher & Paykel", "Rothmans",
    "Martela" and "Merit".
    In a radio contact yesterday, Tracy Edwards, skipper of "Maiden", said
    they had 45 knots of wind for 1 hour from the south east, it had then
    eased to 25 knots. During the night the wind changed direction from
    NW'ly to SE'ly, at this time the fleet split.
    
    Sunday's Tribune carried an article on the hazards ahead, some extracts
    follow:
    The shortest distance to Fremantle is across the bottom of the world
    via the South Pole. To get there by boat one sails around half of
    Antartica in weather that requires special tactics just to stay alive.
    On a good day it blows a gale, on a bad day a hurricane. Last week
    winds of 90 knots were reported and drift ice was at latitude 55,
    further north than usual for this time of year.
    The closer the yachts go to the pack ice the shorter the distance. Sea
    spray freezes on deck, ropes become solid bars and sail handling
    becomes almost impossible.
    The Souther Ocean is the band of Ocean girdling the world south of the
    tip of South America, South of the Cape of Good Hope, and south of New
    Zealand and is made up of the wastes of the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and
    the Pacific. Depressions form readily in this region and cartwheel
    eastwards around the world in two parallel chains south of Latidude 40.
    In the southern hemisphere the winds rotate clockwise around the
    lows.Sailing in this Leg involves hitching a ride on the backs of the
    depressions making best use of the strong westerlies generated before
    positioning for the next depression which will arrive within hours.
    These depressions are unhindered and generate giant waves, sliding down
    the backs of these the maxis will easily reach 20 knots, sometimes
    touching 30 knots. It will be next week before the fleet meets Southern
    Ocean conditions. Right now, they have to sail through the remainder of
    the South Atlantic, avoiding the windless centre of the near permanent
    South Atlantic high pressure zone.
    Joe English is expected to push NCB Ireland below 50 degrees South,
    trading the ice risk for mileage. Steinlager holds an overall lead of 3
    days and 10 hours, to beat her NCB must get to Fremantle that amount of
    time ahead, no small order. Her weight has been cut to the minimum at
    31 tons. Steinlager 2 is 35.2 tons, MERit 32.6 tons, Fisher & Paykel
    31.9 tons.  Many boats deliberately sailed the first leg with a smaller
    crew to reduce weight but are now fully manned for the rigours of the
    Southern Ocean. (an example is Rothman's taking on crew from NCB in
    Punta del Este)
    American Skip Novak is now full skipper of the Russian "Fazisi".
    Three boats who were in trouble for sponsorship have now been able to
    continue, these are, "Fazisi", "Liverpool Enterprise" and "L'Esprit de
    Liberte".
    
    TIME AHEAD OF NCB
                                              Days, hours, minutes
    1. Steinlager 2                            3-09.41
    2  Merit                                   2-21.26
    3. Fisher & Paykel                         2-01.37
    4. Rothmans                                1-21.58
    5. The Card                                  22.44
    6. Fazisi                                    16.07
    7. Gatorade                                  16.05
    8  Martela                                   15.33
    9. British Defender                          15.04
    10.Fortuna                                    9.38
    11.Charles Jourdan                            9.17
    12.Belmont Finland                            9.06
    13 NCB Ireland                                0.00
    14 UB Finland 8 hours 22 minutes behind NCB
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Leg one sounds like a walk in the park by comparison to the conditions
    they will encounter soon.  I think many of us have seen videos of the
    conditions either from Dodge Morgan's trip or the various Whitbread
    documentaries that have been shown.  I am sure the videos can not give
    the actual conditions justice.  During the last Whitbread, "Sail"
    covered the race fairly well with first hand accounts by various crews.
    One person was quoted as saying that conditions in the Southern Ocean
    were like throwing the boat off of an eight story building as they
    dropped off the tops of 40 ft waves.  Are there any first hand 
    experiences out there in "SAILING" land?  How much total time will 
    the fleet spend in the Southern Ocean over all of the legs combined?    
    From the sounds of things, it sounds like this will be mostly downhill
    for the fleet.  Aren't the ketch rigged boats supposedly at a
    disadvantage here?  
    
    Brian

    YACHT RETURNS TO URUGUAY
    "Creighton's Naturally" was yesterday reported to be returning to Punta
    del Este. She had broken her port cap shroud on Monday afternoon and
    had no alternative but to return for a new one.
    The overall leader is still "Steinlager 2". At midday yesterday she was
    11 miles ahead of Ludde Ingvalle's "Union Bank of Finland". There is
    little in it however, most of the Division A maxis are still closely
    grouped, only 77 miles seperate Steinlager from the Soviet "Fazisi" in
    10th place, with NCB Ireland in 8th position just 40 miles behind the
    leader.
    
    WHITBREAD POSITIONS 31 OCTOBER
    1. Steinlager 2  (6,815 miles to go)
    2. Fisher & Paykel (6,826)
    3. Union Bank of Finland (6,827)
    4. Rothmans (6,831)
    5. Merit (6,834)
    6. Martela (6,850)
    7. The Card (6,854)
    8. Fortuna (6,854)
    9. NCB Ireland (6,855)
    10. Fazisi (6,892)
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Strong winds have been reported over the past twentyfour hours which
    have allowed fast times to be set by the fleet. Speeds as high as 14.4
    knots were recorded by "Rothmans", just bettering the 14.2 of "Union
    Bank of Finland".
    Ahead, but leading by only a few miles is "Steinlager 2" followed by
    "Fisher & Paykel". Steinlager is still the most northerly boat in the
    fleet of 22 with the Italian "Gatorade" over 200 miles away to the
    south.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

	Here are a few extracts from the first despatch from Lawrie
	Smith, skipper of "Rothmans", 5 days into stage 2. This was
	printed in full in Fridays " The (London) Times ".

	...we had to replace the entire plastic headfoil after the
	original shattered on Tuesday.

	Thankfully we had a spare 90ft headfoil rolled up in the
	bows as a guard against just such a catastrophe. But working
	on a madly pitching deck, covered in the most part with green water,
	it took our two bowmen five hours to complete a task that would
	normally take 40 minutes in harbour.

        The television pictures and faxed weather information we pick
	up hourly from passing satellites and the nearest weather station 
	in Pretoria, suggest that, tommorow, we will finally run into the 
	influence of the vigorous depressions which sweep round this part of
	the globe uninterrupted by land.

	Better known as the roaring forties, or the screaming fifties, it is
	these wild, helter skelter conditions that attracted us all to this
	race.

	Until now the course has been mostly to the benefit of the two
	New Zealand Ketches. If the winds now turn behind us, as expected,
	then the two leading crews on Steinlager and Fisher & Paykel will
	have to keep eyes peeled for balls of spray masking the three leading
	sloops, UBF Finland, Merit & Rothmans as we power our way through.

	This race has only just begun. The more it blows, the more we like it.
	

    
    I am now getting a fax copy of the daily argos sattelite report so that
    the daily positions I give should be the latest available from now on.
    
    "Steinlager 2" continues to lead and is increasing the gap by a few
    miles each day. NCB is in 9th position 110 miles astern.
    In second place, "Fisher & Paykel" is 17 miles astern though
    considerably further south and heading even further south, so soon they
    could be experiencing quite different weather.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS AT 1209 GMT 2 NOVEMBER
    1. STEINLAGER 2                 6,234 MILES TO GO       AV.SPEED 11.3
    2. FISHER & PAYKEL              6,251                   11.1
    3  UNION BANK OF FINLAND        6,262                   11.0
    4  MERIT                        6,270                   11.0
    5  ROTHMANS                     6,271                   10.9
    6  MARTELA                      6,304                   10.7
    7  THE CARD                     6,308                   10.6
    8  FORTUNA                      6,310                   10.6
    9  NCB IRELAND                  6,344                   10.3
    10 CHARLES JOURDAN              6,366                   10.1
    11 BRITISH DEFENDER             6,375                   10.0
    12 FAZISI                       6,385                   9.9
    13 BELMONT FINLAND              6,405                   9.8
    14 GATORADE                     6,423                   9.9
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE         6,512                   8.8
    16 EQUITY & LAW                 6,531                   8.7
    17 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN         6,625                   8.2
    18 MAIDEN                       6,625                   7.8
    19 RUCANOR SPORT                6,645                   7.6
    20 WITH INTEGRITY               6,651                   7.6
    21 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE          6,688                   7.3
    22 LA POSTE                     6,738                   6.8
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY         7,512   RETURNED TO URUGUAY
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ONLY 60 MILES SEPERATE THE LEADERS
    "Fisher & Paykel", the NZ ketch appeared to have a little less wind
    over the last 24 hours and lost a little of her lead and at midday
    yesterday was 60 miles ahead of "Steinlager 2". Union Bank of Finland
    was seven miles further back in 3rd place.  NCB has gained a few miles
    and is now 177 miles astern of the leader.
    Only Martela has so far ventured below 51 south, where she certainly
    found wind among the ice, recording 14.5 knots average for a days run.
    
    Positions at 1250 GMT 6 November
    1. Fisher & Paykel (5,144 miles to go)
    2. Steinlager 2  5,204
    3. Union Bank of Finland  5,211
    4. Rothmans  5,222
    5  Merit  5,222
    6  The Card 5,245
    7  Fortuna 5,247
    8  Martela 5,271
    9  NCB Ireland  5,321
    10 British Defender 5,323
    11 With Integrity 6,064
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

	From The Times, 7/11/89

	"We are playing Russian roulette out here 2,500 miles east of 
	Cape Horn. Temperatures are down to 3� C, and icy fog is limiting
	visbility to less than quarter of a mile, as we surf under spinnaker
	at 20 knots, dodging icebergs.

	Vincent Geake, Rothmans navigator, can see more on the radar screen
	than I can from the wheel. So far he has seen 4 that have not been
	visible on deck.

	What is keeping us driving the boat so hard is the proximity of
	the competition. Here we are, almost 2,500 mile out into the open
	ocean,... yet Steinlager, the second placed NZ ketch, is a regular
	radar blip 6 miles ahead, while Merit... is 5 miles astern...so far
	it is proving an exciting game of nip and tuck, as close as anything
	experienced in the Fastnet.

	UBF Finland, which finished 14th on the first stage, is holding out
	3rd place, 15 miles to the north.

	Fisher & Paykel, which stormed ahead of us on Friday, hit head winds to
	the south of us over the weekend, and as a result has lost almost 30
	miles of her lead.

	During the past few days, those to the north benefitted from strong
	running winds, but yesterday, the performance of Martela OF, 60 miles
	astern and now the furthest south among the fleet, suggested that 
	conditions will strenghten shortly. She averaged 14.6 knots between
	ARGOS satellite plots yesterday, the fastest so far, while we
	maintained 13.8, which was the best amongst the leaders. "

    

    Looks like going south -- skirting the Antarctic --
    pays pretty big.  Must remember this for the next time 
    we get the long course...  %^]
    
    When racing along a coastline in fog, use "potato navigation:"  
    Have someone in the bow -- strong arm -- hurling potatoes.  When 
    you don't hear a splash, tack. ;)
    
    When racing along a coastline with good visablity, "bump/tack:"  
    Tack at first contact.  ;) ;)
    
    Wonder if they have  any similar "sayings" for ice-bergs and the like.
    
    A serious question:  Has anyone ever suggested running this
    race non-stop?  Imagine what that would entail!
    
    Cheers,
    Dean
    

    WHITBREAD REPORT 1540 GMT 7TH NOVEMBER
    The Class A maxis continue to be closely grouped with positions
    constantly changing, but the sloops are now making up ground as they
    reach or run in WNW winds of 30 to 35 knots under spinnaker and in poor
    visibility in sleet and rain showers and fog.  They are in an area of
    poor radio reception and relying on radar to a large extent to avoid
    the icebergs. NCB has gained 45 miles on The Card and 43 miles on
    Martela OF which is now only 7 miles ahead.
    
    1. Fisher & Paykel     -      13.9 kts
    2  Rothmans          4,783    14.2
    3  Steinlager        4,793    12.2
    4  Merit             4,793    14.7
    5  Union Bank of Finland  4,794  12.8
    6  Fortuna           4,802    13.6
    7  The Card          4,883    11.1
    8  Charles Jourdan   4,901    13.8
    9  Martela           4,905    15.3
    10 NCB Ireland       4,912    14.8
    11 British Defender  4,926    13.8
    12 Fazisi            4,934    13.0
    13 Gatorade           -       10.5
    14 Belmont Finland   5,058    11.9
    
    
    Enda O'Coineen reporting from With Integrity has spoken of frustrations
    in finding the Roaring Forties which he thinks should be renamed the
    Whispering Forties. They have yet to meet the strong winds and heavy
    seas associated with the Southern Ocean although it is colder than has
    been expected. All the yachts are sailing fast, in particular Fortuna
    clocked an average of 17 knots for a four hour period.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Dean,
    
    The Golden Globe is starting soon which is nonstop single handed.  You
    get around anyway you can but you have to round all of the major capes. 
    I believe only one American, Mike Plant will be in it sponsored by
    Duracell.  The majority of the fleet is made up of French sailors. 
    
    Brian   

    I'd like to see it not be singlehanded, though.  Make it crewed and
    allow stops for provisioning, crew changes and the like but not allow
    any time allowance for that.  Simply start and finish at the same
    place, pass the capes to port, and require passing through all the
    longitudes.  No other course requirements.  
    
    Logistics and course planning would make it interesting.  For example,
    do you have lots of little sprints with a super light boat and stop
    often, or have a heavier boat with all supplies with you and go
    non-stop?
    
    Dave

    SPANISH YACHT LOGS FASTEST SPEEDS
    In gale force winds, fast times were the order of the day throughout
    the fleet yesterday.
    The light displacement Spanish maxi, "Fortuna Extra Lights", skippered
    by Javier Gandara, covered 384 miles in a 24 hour period, an average
    speed of 15.7 knots, comparable to a planing power boat.
    She also logged the fastest speed yesterday, of 16.1 knots over a two
    and a half hour period, which was also achieved by the "Charles
    Jourdan", another light displacement yacht at her best in these
    conditions.
    Both yachts have moved up the fleet since they left Punta del Este on
    October 28th. "Fortuna" is now fifth and still closing. "Charles
    Jourdan" skippered by Alain Gabbay is seventh.
    Still in the lead but by just 49 miles is Grant Dalton's "Fisher &
    Paykel", she is also still the most southerly placed of the leading
    maxis.
    "NCB Ireland" in 11th place has so far sailed a tactically faultless
    second leg according to syndicate member Tom Power yesterday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    From the latest batch of Argos sattelite reports it is obvious that
    "Creightons Naturally" has completed repairs in Punta del Este and has
    rejoined the fleet.
    The following Argos positions were compiled at 0608 GMT 8 November.
    I am including lat and long to give you an idea of how far south they
    are positioned.
    
    NAME                      LAT      LONG     DIST TO GO    SMG    AV.SPD
    1 FISHER &PAYKEL          51.O5S   11.47E    4490         14.1   11.9
    2 ROTHMANS                50.05S   10.48E    4564         14.4   11.6
    3 STEINLAGER              50.21S   10.27E    4567         14.3   11.6
    4 MERIT                   49.54S   10.38E    4573         15.0   11.6
    5 UNION BANK OF FIN       49.27S   10.31E    4581         14.1   11.6
    6 FORTUNA                 50.05S   10.31E    4583         15.0   11.6
    7 MARTELA OF              51.21S   06.42E    4671         15.0   11.2
    8 CHARLES JOURDAN         49.48S   08.01E    4675         15.3   11.2
    9 THE CARD                49.19S   07.57E    4681         14.1   11.2
    10 NCB IRELAND            50.01S   07.21E    4699         14.6   11.1
    11 BRITISH DEFENDER       49.49S   06.54E    4718         14.0   11.0
    12 FAZISI                 49.16S   06.40E    4731         14.3   11.0
    13 GATORADE               50.18S   04.48E    4786         14.4   10.8
    14 BELMONT FINLAND        49.13S   02.59E    4874         12.7   10.4
    15 EQUITY & LAW           50.07S   05.57W    5207         10.0    9.1
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE   50.01S   06.07W    5218         10.1    9.0
    17 MAIDEN                 48.44S   14.17W    5546         7.3     7.8
    18 RUCANOR SPORT          47.51S   16.45W    5654          7.8    7.4
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE    48.09S   18.19W    5710          7.8    7.2
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN   49.34S   19.19W    5731          6.4    7.2
    21 WITH INTEGRITY         46.37S   22.01W    5881          2.7    6.5
    22 LA POSTE               47.38S   24.59W    5976          6.4    6.1
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY   43.33S   33.57W    6417         10.8    6.5
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADERS FACE HIGH WINDS
    "Fortuna Extra Lights" has moved into third place overnight. She
    averaged 19 knots for for a one and a half hour period up to 1637 GMT.
    This speed was only exceeded by "Rothmans" who averaged 19.9 knots for
    a similar period. "Fortuna" achieved the greatest distance run of 389.9
    over the 24 hours up to 0400 GMT November 9th.
    "Fisher & Paykel" retains the lead with "Rothmans" in second place 49
    miles astern of her. "Steinlager 2" has slipped to fifth position the
    lowest he has been since the start of the Round the World race.
    However the distance between 1st and 5th is only 76 miles which was
    probably the result of having to cope with gear failure, including the
    loss of two spinnakers, spinnaker pole track, and both spinnaker
    halyard blocks and his EPIRB.
    
    The weather conditions are becoming very gruelling for the leaders.
    They have had force 8 and 9 winds for the last day and have not been
    able to set spinnakers. There are gusts to 47 knots and very confused
    seas.
    "There are big seas but they don't break on deck too often," radioed
    Peter Blake. They are experiencing occasional heavy snow showers. The
    boat is sailing with a head sail and reefed main and sometimes a mizzen
    staysail.
    There have been other gear failures in the past 24 hours, "Fisher &
    Paykel" have torn the spinnaker halyard winch off the deck, blown out
    two spinnakers and one spinnaker pole.
    NCB Ireland has blown out two spinnakers, broken one spinnaker pole and
    lost the top of a jib.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ARGOS POSITIONS 9 NOVEMBER
    
    With all the Class A maxis now close to 50 south they are experiencing
    the full effects of the Screaming Fifties. Yesterday Steinlager was the
    duty radio boat and reported winds W'ly force 8 to 9, heavy confused
    seas and water temperatures below zero.
    All the maxis are being pushed to their limits and gear failures are
    becoming common. I have already reported today on failures on Fisher &
    Paykel, Steinlager and NCB Ireland.
    The very light displacement sloops Rothmans and Fortuna are using their
    designs to good effect in the prevailing conditions.
    It is now expected that the leaders will reach Freemantle on about 25th
    November which is five days ahead of expectations.
    Current weather predictions are for a deepening low 954mb with
    associated fronts extending to 45 south giving W'ly 40 - 55 knot winds
    with visibility reducing to 100 yards in heavy snow showers.
    
    Positions @1647 GMT 9 November
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL  3976 MILES TO GO   15.9 KNOTS
    2. ROTHMANS         4030     16.5
    3. FORTUNA          4038     15.2
    4  MERIT            4038     16.0
    5  STEINLAGER       4064     14.2
    6  UNION BANK FINLAND 4101   14.5
    7  CHARLES JOURDAN  4154     16.1
    8  MARTELLA         4180     15.0
    9  BRITISH DEFENDER  4234    13.7
    10  NCB IRELAND      4235    14.0
    11  THE CARD         4238    12.4
    12  FAZISI           4244    13.3
    13  GATORADE         4322    13.8
    14  BELMONT FINLAND  4428    14.7
    
    REGARDS,
    TOM
    

    NCB DAMAGED
    Have just heard that NCB Ireland has broken her boom. There are no
    further details  from Sail Ireland at this time. They do not expect to
    have the full story until tonight's radio schedule.
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    One crewman from "Creightons Naturally" died yesterday when
    two of them were swept overboard in the Southern Ocean. Both crewmen
    were located using their emergency radio location beacons, but one
    of them, a 36 year old Englishman, was dead. They were in the water
    for about 30 minutes.
    
    Also one crewman fell overboard from the Spanish yacht "Fortuna",
    and another broke his shoulder, when a guy broke during spinnaker
    peel. The man in the water was recovered quickly and with no ill
    effects.                                    
    
    The Swedish Ketch "The Card" has suffered "serious damage"  although
    they have not reported the specifics.
    

    NCB HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS
    On Friday the crew of NCB were struggling in survival conditions to
    repair major damage to the boom as the fleet raced into total storm
    conditions. Having broken a spinnaker pole and blown out two spinnakers
    on Thursday Joe English reported that the boom was damaged on Thursday
    night. With snow lying on deck the crew were working frantically to
    repair spinnakers and the pole, the boat was sailing upright balanced
    under twin headsails when without warning the boom snapped at the 
    vang or kicking strap fitting area. The earliest explanation was that
    with exceptionally hard driving of recent days, metal fatigue had been
    accelerated by the occasional dipping of the boom end as the boat
    surfed down the face of enormous seas at speeds in excess of 24 knots.
    This has since been discounted.
    Friday brought more reports of damage from other yachts. The weather
    was dominated by an intense low over the Antarctic coast, and the
    temptation is for the leaders to edge even further southwards in order
    to keep in the strongest winds. Conditions were also becoming so
    extreme that communications was effectively non-existant.
    
    On Saturday NCB was reported to be sailing a course some 20 degrees
    further north than other boats in the area and under twin headsails
    only. Despite a well equipped workshop the crew were finding themselves
    unable to repair the boom. The boom on NCB was renewed before leaving
    England and is a complicated structure which is kept rigid by a
    tensioned wire strut arrangement. Traditional sleeving repair is
    complicated by the six sided shape of the spar. The vang is hydraulic,
    overtensioning was ruled out as a cause because the lower part of the
    vang was composed of a rod designed to give way before the boom. The
    likely cause was a failure of the tensioning strut.
    By Saturday NCB had dropped to 13th position making 9.6 knots in gale
    force winds which were beginning to ease. Another large depression was
    moving up from the southwest.
    
    A British sailor, Anthony Phillips, aged 36 from Humberside was washed
    overboard from "Creightons Naturally". Another crew member, Bart Van
    Der Dwey, 25, from Antwerp was also swept overboard. Both men were in
    the water for 30 minutes and were wearing VHF direction finding
    beacons. The yacht picked up Van Der dwey alive, but Phillips was dead
    when found.
    Creightons Naturally was in last position, she had earlier been forced
    to return to Uruguay for rigging repairs.
    
    Last week Claire Russel the doctor on Maiden, was saved from being
    washed overboard by her harness and a crew man from The Card was
    seriously injured in stormy seas.
    
    Fisher & Paykel still leads, Rothmans in second place 85 miles astern.
    NCB has now a gap of 500 miles to the leader. Merit is in third
    position 34 miles astern of Rothmans followed closely by Fortuna. Both
    of these yachts lost time on Friday night when a man was washed
    overboard from Fortuna. Thanks to his personal transmitter he was found
    and recovered after 15 minutes in the water and is now back to normal
    crewing duties.
    
    The gas man in Punta del Este will need to get out of town when the
    fleet returns. The gas he supplied to all the yachts has been found to
    be contaminated and they are all having difficulties keeping their
    cookers going. Hot food is vital, the ingenuity of the crews is world
    league. The all women crew of Maiden lead the way. They have taken the
    filter off a cigarette and jammed it into the gas pipe. It works!
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    PARENTS WANT THEIR SON BURIED AT SEA
    Following the death of their son on Sunday after being washed overboard
    from the British yacht "Creightons Naturally", the parents of 36 year
    old Anthony Phillips have expressed a wish that he should be buried at
    sea and that the yacht should continue in the race.
    Tony Phillips, a cousin of Captain Mark Phillips, was taken overboard
    as two huge waves smashed into the yacht during an overnight storm.
    Phillips who was a watch leader and responsible for engineering and
    maintenance, hit a stanchion as he went overboard.
    The full report reads:-
    "At 0332 Sunday November 12th, the yacht gybed heavily running before a
    westerly gale. The weather runner broke and the yacht gybed again,
    breaking two winch grinder pedestals. The mainsail was taken down and
    the lee runner was rapidly being set up, when we were hit by two very
    large seas at 0345. The yacht broached on the second sea and the poled
    out yankee was set aback, breaking the spinnaker pole. Two men, Bart
    Van den Dwey, and Tony Phillips were swept overboard. Both were
    equipped with lifejackets, flares and personal EPIRB's. Two lifebuoys
    and a dan buoy were released and the VHF direction finder operated. The
    headsails were dropped and the yacht motored back on the VHF bearing to
    the men. The first man was located with the aid of white parachute
    flares at 0415. Van den Dwey was the first to be recovered and was
    successfully resuscitated. At 0432 Phillips was recovered and
    resuscitation started and continued until 0717 without success.
    
    "Van den Dwey's lifejacket was inflated when he was recovered but
    Phillips's was not. Phillips hit a stanchion as he went overboard and
    it is thought unlikely that he was conscious once in the water. The two
    EPIRB's were recovered but the two lifebuoys and dan buoy were not.
    
    "Two crew members, Barry Mercer and Julian Morris, went into the sea
    three times to assist with the recovery. Sea temperature was seven
    degrees and heavy seas were running. Both actions were heroic, Julian's
    in particular. Twentyfour hours later Bart is recovering well from
    hypothermia ans shock."
    
    Meanwhile the race goes on, with "Fisher & Paykel" still leading the
    British sloop "Rothmans", which closed the gap slightly overnight and
    is now 67 miles astern.
    In spite of her lead, "Fisher & Paykel" recorded the slowest speed of
    the day , 3.5 knots whilst "Rothmans" was sailing at 7 knots. Farther
    back in the fleet averages were around 10 to 11 knots.
    NCB Ireland maintains her 13th position despite gear damage and is now
    434 miles behind the leader.
    
    There could be some place changes, "Merit" is only 1 mile astern of
    "Rothmans", with "Steinlager 2" a mile behind her. "Fortuna" is next,
    another 12 miles away, with "Union Bank of Finland" and "Charles
    Jourdan" also within striking distance.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    CREW OF NCB FIX BROKEN BOOM
    After four days of hard work in treacherous conditions the crew of "NCB
    Ireland" have fixed the broken main boom and are back in the race after
    thinking last week that it would be impossible to repair the
    substantial damage.
    The repairs were carried out under icy cold conditions in heavy seas
    with winds of 30 to 40 knots.
    In a radio message yesterday skipper Joe English said: "Things have
    changed for the better here. To fix the boom was a feat in engineering.
    I cannot praise everyone enough for their courage and effort. We hope
    the repair is strong enough to enable us to race hard again."
    
    The boom was taken down on Friday and everything was dismantled. The
    damaged section was cut out and using flat alloy bars and some sleeves
    it was rejoined. This was a difficult task as the boom has to withstand
    a lot of load and in the area of the failure this could be greater than
    10,000 lb. Whilst a repair has been effected the boom is now 35cm
    shorter.
    At present Martella is 300 miles ahead, Gatorade 200, and British
    Defender, which has also had some problems, over 150. Belmont Finland
    is 10 miles astern of NCB.
    
    Argos Positions at 0604 gmt 14 november
    NAME                             DIST TO GO     SMG      AVERAGE SPD
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL               2703            10.2     11.9
    2. STEINLAGER 2                  2785             9.6     11.7
    3  ROTHMANS                      2786             9.9     11.7
    4  MERIT                         2787             9.8     11.7
    5  MARTELLA OF                   2790            11.4     11.6
    6  UNION BANK OF FINLAND         2822             9.5     11.6
    7  FORTUNA                       2822             9.5     11.6
    8  CHARLES JOURDAN               2824             9.8     11.6
    9  FAZISI                        2876            12.1     11.4
    10 THE CARD                      2897            11.7     11.4
    11 BRITISH DEFENDER              2928            12.0     11.3
    12 GATORADE                      2933            12.8     11.3
    13 NCB IRELAND                   3077            11.9     10.9
    14 BELMONT FINLAND               3222            12.0     10.9
    15 EQUITY AND LAW                3746            11.4      9.5
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE          3778            11.3      9.4
    17 MAIDEN                        4326            10.4      8.0
    18 RUCANOR SPORT                 4389            10.3      7.9
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE           4470            10.2      7.7
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN          4701            10.7      7.4
    21 WITH INTEGRITY                4735            10.3      7.0
    22 LA POSTE                      4839             9.1      6.7
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY          5255             7.3      7.3
    
Regards,
    Tom
    

    My hat goes off to Anthony Phillips and his family. And a salute to him
    and all the men and women who brave and challenge the sea at its
    utmost.
    
    
    Again, Tom, Thanks for these reports. I'ed be lost without them.
    
    Don

    FIGHT FOR THE LEAD
    After covering over 5000 miles of the 7,500 mile second leg, the
    leaders are still as closely grouped as ever, with no indication yet of
    the eventual winner.
    "Fisher & Paykel" leading yesterday was only managing 4.2 knots and was
    under attack from the Finnish yacht Martela OF only 5 miles astern at
    noon yesterday but 100 miles further south. Today'S Argos positions
    show that she was indeed passed during the course of last night.
    "Martela" skippered by Markku Wilkeri now holds the lead.
    
    NCB Ireland, although still in 13th position on corrected time, has cut
    back the gap to the leaders, she is now 284 miles behind, having been
    374 miles astern on Tuesday.
    NCB has been recording one of the fastest times at 12.7 knots. Skipper
    Joe English is maintaining a more southerly course than the majority of
    the 14 maxis apart from Martela, and this could provide a shorter
    course to sail to the finish line in Freemantle.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS AT 0544 GMT 16 NOVEMBER
    
    NAME                        DIST.TO GO        SMG       AVERAGE
    1. MARTELA OF                2327             12.3      11.7
    2. FISHER & PAYKEL           2351             11.5      11.6
    3  STEINLAGER 2              2359             12.7      11.6
    4. ROTHMANS                  2360             12.9      11.6
    5  MERIT                     2364             12.7      11.6
    6  CHARLES JOURDAN           2391             13.6      11.5
    7  FORTUNA                   2400             12.2      11.5
    8  UNION BANK OF FINLAND     2405             11.9      11.5
    9  FAZISI                    2426             11.9      11.5
    10 THE CARD                  2446             11.6      11.4
    11 GATORADE                  2472             11.5      11.3
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER          2474             11.8      11.3
    13 NCB IRELAND               2645             13.1      11.0
    14 BELMONT FINLAND           2667             12.7      10.9
    15 EQUITY & LAW              3257             11.0       9.6
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE      3324              9.3       9.4
    17 MAIDEN                    3839              9.8       8.3
    18 RUCANOR SPORT             3875             11.1       8.2
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE       3959             10.8       8.0
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN      4111              9.9       7.7
    21 WITH INTEGRITY            4255             12.6       7.3
    22 LA POSTE                  4414             10.1       7.0
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY      4794             10.4       7.5
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Why the slow speeds?  No wind?  Too much wind and sea on the
    nose?  Excessive marine growth?  ;)  Looks like the blistering
    pace is cooling off.  And didn't Martella come out of nowhere!
    
    Dean
    
    

    
    	Another dispatch from Lawrie Smith on Rothmans. The headline above it..

	"The worst conditions I have ever endured."

	The Southern Ocean, 20 miles south of  Kerguelen Island, 2,300
	miles from Fremantle.

	Man overboard is the fear, normally unspoke, that every
	yachtsman dreads. When there are six such incidents within
	a week, an unprecedented number in modern Yacht Racing, then the
	subject becomes foremost in everyones mind.

	The death this week of Tony Phillips, one of two to fall from the
	British yacht Creightons Natuarally, has affected us all. The subject
	is no longer a taboo that might invite bad luck. Instead, this tragedy,
	and the five other sucessful recoverys performed within the fleet has
	made us question why we risk life and limb on something so esoteric as 
	a yacht race

	They must be the same thoughts that go through the minds of Grand
	Prix drivers whenever one of there numbers dies at the wheel.

	Conditions have been both extreme and relentless, certainly the worst
	I have ever endured. Air temperatures are well below zero, and once the
	water works through the outer oilskins, you never get warm again.

	Surfing at speeds of up to 30 knots - and we have been doing that
	almost continuously for two weeks - the water and spray has the force
	of a fire hydrant firing hail stones. They have tested everything to
	the limits of endurance. Sails spinnaker poles, sheets, halyards and
	even the boom have all cracked, broken or blown under the immense
	loadings that few could envisage - unless they are down here.

	Man overboard may have been the unspoken fear, but it has never been
	far from our minds. These wild conditions leave no room for Rambo
	heroics. We have been wearing our harness since day 2 of this leg and
	everyone has 2 tethers in their pockets, so they remain connected at 
	all times when moving about Rothmans madly bucking deck.

	Steinlager 2, which had fallen 60 miles astern at one point last week,
	has been carried back into the frame by the new wind, along with Merit,
	which was 25 miles behind. For the past three days we have all been in
	sight of each other.

    

    The southerly course of the Finnish maxi "Martela" skippered by Markku
    Wilkeri, paid off as she swept into a 14 mile lead on Thursday.
    The race may now have reached a decisive stage. On Friday the leading
    group were spread across 4 degrees of latitude (240 miles) as they
    closed on Fremantle, now 2000 miles away. "Fisher & Paykel" then lying
    second was the first to pass north of thec Kerguelen Islands.
    
    "Martela" whose crew are doubtless well used to sailing in ice
    conditions came up well from the south leaving the Kerguelens to port.
    For a few glorious hours the Finns held the lead as Fisher & Paykel,
    having altered course to north of the Kerguelens, wallowed in light
    winds.
    But on Friday the wind filled in and Grant Dalton was back in business
    with "Fisher & Paykel" clocking 19 knots, as was the hyper-light
    Spanish boat "Fortuna" on his tail. Meanwhile away to the south it was
    "Martela's" turn to wallow as her speed dropped to 8 knots.
    
    With the Kerguelens astern the fleet are now edging away from the
    Antarctic ice and over this weekend should find a marked improvement in
    weather temperatures. Some boats need this badly, the Swedish yacht
    "The Card" for instance, lying tenth, has one crewman with pneumonia
    and another strapped in his bunk with severe injuries after a bad fall.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS FRIDAY
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL     1935 TO GO
    2. FORTUNA             1939
    3. MERIT               1957
    4. CHARLES JOURDAN     1960
    5  STEINLAGER 2        1965
    6. ROTHMANS            1966
    7. UNION BANK OF FINLAND 1990
    8. MARTELA OF          2055
    9. FAZISI              2059
    10.THE CARD            2063
    11 GATORADE            2112
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER    2197
    13 NCB IRELAND         2255
    14 BELMONT FINLAND     2282
    
    Regards,
    Tom
      
    

    Working on sunday, playing arround a little bit and found out a
    telephon-number in switzerland that is reporting daily from
    whitbread-race in german language: 022 (for geneva) 733 26 77.
    it seems they do not work saturday/sunday.
    Latest report is from friday, GMT 13.16:
    
    Crazy race: Yesterdays first is todays 10.. yesterdays 8. is todays
    first: Fortuna
    Fortuna sets a new 24 hour record: 393 sm.
    
    1. Fortuna                         1861 sm to Freemantle
    2. Fisher and Paykel               1867
    3. Merit                           1895
    4. Charles Jourdan                 1897
    5. Steinlager                      1900
    6. Rothmans                        1903
    7. Union Bank of Finland           1940
    8. The Card                        1995
    9. Fazisi                          2000
    10. Martela                        2012
    11. Gatorade                       2068
    12. Brit Defender                  2142
    13. NCB Ireland                    2214
    14. Belmont                        2218
    
    Until today I was very happy that we got such a good coverage of
    the race from Ireland. It was my only source of information till
    today. If
    you noters wish, that I should continue, I will do. Otherwise let
    us continue with Ireland, I will bring additional info's in, if
    I got these.
    
    Peter Ludin, Switzerland
     

    Sunday, GMT 9.38
    
    Fisher and Paykel               1328
    Fortuna                         1344
    Steinlager                      1378
    Rothmans                        1386
    Merit                           1390
    Charles Jourdan                 1392
    UBS                             1399
    martela                         1483
    The Card                        1494
    Facisi                          1498
    Gatorade                        1550
    NCB                             1623
    Brit. Defender                  1646
    Belmont                         1663
    

    Unusual weather conditions in the Southern Ocean offers "NCB Ireland" a
    slim chance of catching up with the leaders. The yachts were heading
    for a complex system consisting of two low pressure zones seperated by
    a large area in which winds are forecast to be slack. This is good news
    for NCB because as the fleet telescopes in such conditions the yachts
    coming from behind stand to gain first from developing depressuions
    bringing wind from the west.
    A different scenario will develop if the two lows join to form one
    depression. Because winds tend to be clockwise around southern
    hemisphere depressions boats which are too far south will meet head
    winds whilst those to the north will benefit from tail winds.
    The weather on this leg has baffled the experts. Normally the southern
    ocean is dominated by a chain of low pressure zones which girdle the
    globe at these latitudes. This year highs, bringing slacker winds have
    formed where they were least expected. This has not prevented records
    from being broken. The Spanish yacht "Fortuna" swept from seventh to
    first position last week in surfing conditions and just failed by six
    miles to break the magic 400 miles a day barrier.
    
    Fisher & Paykel yesterday recovered the lead. This is the fifth time
    the lead has changed hands. She cannot relax however, Fortuna is only
    15 miles astern, and another five yachts within 70 miles.
    Winds are WSW 15 knots with good visibility. NCB has reduced the gap to
    320 miles and yesterday was logging the fastest speeds at 14.1 average.
    It is expected that the first yacht will reach Fremantle on Friday with
    the bulk of the maxis finishing within one day of each other.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Peter, Tom has been doing a great job providing race updates.  If you
    have information that may compliment whatever reports we're getting I
    say go for it.  Your source may provide a different angle on the
    events.  I say feel free to add whatever you have.  I only wish there 
    were a local source for information on this side of the puddle as well.  
    Maybe when DEC enters a boat in the next race ;-).
    
    Brian  

    Re -1.
 
    >       Maybe when DEC enters a boat in the next race ;-).

    Digital are one of the minor sponsors of the Swedish ketch The Card
    ( Main sponsors are the credit card Eurocard, the European version of
    Mastercard. ). This entitles us to our Logo just beneath the rail,
    and the boat also flew a Digital flag on the way out to the start.
    
    One of the other boats ( Fisher & Paykel, I think ) has a Microvax
    on board for weather routing, which is a step up from the Apple
    Macintoshes on most of the others. Anybody know any more about this?
    
    Chris
    

    ANOTHER BOOM IS BROKEN
    While the two New Zealand ketches, "Fisher & Paykel" and "Steinlager
    2", continue to dispute the lead yesterday, as Fremantle draws nearer,
    another boat has broken its boom. This time it is the Russian "Fazisi"
    skippered by American Skip Novak.
    There was a human casualty too, when Rafael Tibau of Finland broke a
    leg in two places when he was swept along the deck of "Fortuna Extra
    Lights" by a huge wave.
    
    Argos Positions at 1106 GMT 20 November
    --------------------------------------
    NAME                           DISTANCE         SMG       AVERAGE
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL              1025            15.1      11.9
    2. STEINLAGER 2                 1050            14.1      11.8
    3. FORTUNA                      1052            14.8      11.8
    4  ROTHMANS                     1060            15.5      11.8
    5. CHARLES JOURDAN              1066            14.2      11.8
    6. UNION BANK OF FINLAND        1083            15.1      11.8
    7. MERIT                        1084            15.0      11.8
    8. THE CARD                     1184            12.3      11.6
    9. FAZISI                       1191            14.4      11.6
    10 MARTELA                      1205            13.1      11.5
    11 GATORADE                     1256            11.7      11.4
    12 NCB IRELAND                  1349            11.6      11.3
    13 BRITISH DEFENDER             1371            11.6      11.2
    14 BELMONT FINLAND              1397            11.9      11.2
    15 EQUITY & LAW                 2296             7.9       9.5
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE         2419             5.0       9.3
    17 MAIDEN                       2897             9.2       8.4
    18 RUCANOR SPORT                2952             9.2       8.3
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE          2982            10.3       8.3
    20 WITH INTEGRITY               3216             8.0       7.9
    21 LA POSTE                     3555            10.2       7.3
    22 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN         3810            10.8       8.0
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY         3810            11.5       9.2
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    21.11.89 Phone call from Pierre Fehlmann (a ex IBM-Salesman!) from
    the Swiss Boat Merit: Everything is still open. Merit is the most
    easterly yacht and hopes to find a "corridor de vent" in front of
    a high. Average speed for the last four hours:
    Fisher and Paykel     11.4
    Steinlager            12.2
    Rothmans              11.9
    Fortuna               11.7
    Merit                 14.1
    
    21.11.  GMT 13.07
    
    F + P                     708
    Steinlager                745
    Rothmans                  747
    Fortuna                   754
    Merit                     775
    Jourdan                   775
    Ubs Finland               784
    Martella                  886
    The Card                  892
    Fazisi                    938
    Gatorade                  997
    NCB Ireland              1119
    Brit. Defender           1141
    Belmont                  1157
    
    
    Typical IBM: He is talking only about himself (and in addition only
    in french!)
    
    Peter Ludin

    Call (022) 733-2677 to get daily MERIT updates in *GERMAN*. This
    service is operated by FERT VOYAGES, one of the sponsors of MERIT.
    (I believe Fert is also the president of SORC - Swiss Ocean Racing
    Club).

    .... I'm working on a Videotex interface to a service provided by
    ROTHMANS in France. It gives graphical displays of the positions
    for each boat, in addition to delay news. But with the current work-
    load, don't hold your breath, the operational target is the next leg.

    A battle is now going on for the second place. At each ARGOS sattelite
    pass the second place changes. Either Steinlager is a mile or so ahead
    of Rothmans or vice versa. The yachts are match racing to the finish
    covering every move the other makes.
    "Fisher & Paykel" is still leading by 37 miles. However "Steinlager"
    and "Rothmans" are about 120 miles further south and may find different
    wind conditions.
    "Fortuna" is just seven miles behind "Rothmans". "Merit" and "Charles
    Jourdan" are  both 21 miles behind her. "Merit" is the fastest boat in
    the first five, sailing at 14.1 knots, considerably faster than the
    other four. She is also the most southerly of the group.
    The present race area is dominated by a high with relatively light
    winds but a low is developing south of Fremantle promising a running
    finish. The first boat is expected in Fremantle on Saturday night or
    early on Sunday morning.
    Joe English has reported from NCB Ireland that morale is high now that
    they are making their way into more comfortable temperatures and have
    been able to dry clothes and bedding for the first time in 18 days.
    The repaired boom is holding up well although as it is 35 cm shorter
    the mainsail must be set with the first reef in place.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADERS ONLY 29 MILES APART
    "Fisher & Paykel" is just hanging on to her lead. "Rothmans" is once
    again in second place only 14 miles astern and at the moment sailing
    faster at 9.8 knots than the leader who is only managing 5.9 knots.
    "Steinlager" is believed to have recovered to third position nine miles
    behind Rothmans with Merit just three miles astern in fourth position.
    Peter Blake, skipper of Steinlager reported that he was being overtaken
    by a high pressure area with the wind down to 15 knots. The other
    yachts in the first group must also be suffering from the same weather
    pattern as the highest recorded speed was by Merit at 10.5 knots.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS AT 0752 GMT 22 NOVEMBER
    NAME                          DISTANCE          SMG         AVERAGE
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL              505             8.5         11.9
    2. ROTHMANS                     544             8.8         11.8
    3. MERIT                        563             9.6         11.8
    4. FORTUNA                      577             6.1         11.7
    5. STEINLAGER 2                 583             8.1         11.8
    6. CHARLES JOURDAN              591             6.9         11.7
    7. UNION BANK OF FINLAND        611             6.4         11.7
    8. THE CARD                     678            10.8         11.6
    9. MARTELA                      693            10.0         11.5
    10 FAZISI                       796            10.1         11.4
    11 GATORADE                     806            10.8         11.4
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER             919            11.6         11.2
    13 BELMONT FINLAND              930            12.1         11.1
    14 NCB IRELAND                  965            10.8         11.2
    15 EQUITY & LAW                1943            12.7          9.6
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE        2021            11.6          9.3
    17 MAIDEN                      2466            10.6          8.6
    18 RUCANOR SPORT               2514            10.6          8.5
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE         2542            10.7          8.4
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN        2736            10.3          8.3
    21 WITH INTEGRITY              2807             8.9          8.0
    22 LA POSTE                    3161             9.2          7.4
    23 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY        3354             9.6          9.2
    
Regards,
    Tom
    

    "ROTHMANS" TAKES THE LEAD
    Laurie Smith sailed "Rothmans" into the lead yesterday for the first
    time, she moved ahead of "Fisher & Paykel" 400 miles from the finish.
    Pierre Fehlmann who finished first in the 1985/86 Whitbread and now
    skippering the Swiss yacht Merit, also passed "Fisher & Paykel" during
    the night, as did "Steinlager 2".
    Any one of them - or even one of the next five yachts could still win
    the Beefeater Trophy for first to finish in Maxi Class A. The key to
    success is apparently in being the first boat to pick up the Australian
    coastal sea breeze. This normally extends about 40 miles off shore
    about 250 miles from Rothmans present position.
    For the time being however, it is out of reach and the leaders have
    been slowed to 3 knots at times. At their present speeds,they could
    take another two days to finish. But both Laurie Smith and Peter Blake
    in radio calls to Fremantle thought that they will finish tomorrow.
    Meanwhile it was reported this morning that NCB has recovered back into
    12th position.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    In addition: Merit is the nearest boat to the coast of Australia.
    pierre Fehlmann, Skipper of Merit is optimistic that he will catch
    the landbreeze first and win these stage.
    
    Peter
    

    STEINLAGER STREAKS INTO FREMANTLE SUNSHINE
    Aweek ago, Peter Blake's red ketch "Steinlager" was streaking through
    the Roaring Forties in conditions so wintry that one humorist on board
    had been able to build a snowman on the afterdeck.
    Today "Steinlager 2" basks in hot sunshine as overall leader following
    a dramatic finish in which four yachts raced into the Australian dawn
    with just 14 miles seperating them after 7,650 miles of racing.
    "Steinlager" reached Fremantle at 2034 GMT Friday night with "Rothmans"
    and "Merit" match racing for second place an hour and a half behind.
    
    Snowmen one week sunburn the next - such bald facts give an added
    insight to this incredible event in which records of all kinds have
    been broken.
    More than records have been broken - spars, limbs, heads, equipment -
    there has been substantial damage to much of the fleet in an
    extraordinary trans ocean dash in which seven people went overboard but
    only one, Tony Phillips from "Creightons Naturally" was lost.
    In reality there was a real risk of entire crews disappearing without
    trace if their lightweight boats so much as brushed against an iceberg.
    
    Blake started the leg with 12 hours in hand on the next boat., ans as
    the four leaders - Steinlager, Fisher & Paykel, Rothmans and Merit
    swept into the finish in the Australian morning, he knew that his lead
    was consolidated regardless of the order of finish.
    
    Meanwhile 400 miles astern, NCB Ireland was totally becalmed in the
    sub-tropical darkness, still too far out to benefit from the coastal
    winds, while out at sea a huge high pressure area was causing a giant
    blocking calm which was holding back the seven tailenders in the maxi
    fleet.
    It could be Sunday or even Monday before NCB crosses the line.Thanks to
    the near miraculous repair to the boom in unbelievable conditions, for
    the past three days, with further ingenuity, they have been able to
    carry a full mainsail. Previously they had been sailing with one reef
    in the main. One good bit of news for the crew is that the Irish
    Cruising Club has announced that the J.B.Kearney Cup for services to
    sailing in 1989 has been awarded to everyone in the Sail Ireland
    campaign.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    After crossing over 7,000 miles of Ocean, Rothamns beat Merit into
    second place by 28 seconds. ( about 1 second per day ! ). Merit was
    ahead at the Fairway Buoy, which was 5 miles from the finish, but
    Rothmans engaged them in a America's cup style Gybing match, and after
    18 gybes in 30 minutes, Rothmans took the lead and finished 2nd, about
    an Hour behind Steinlager. ( Lawrie Smith has had considerable match
    racing experience, Pierre Fehlmann probably very little ). Rothmans
    had run out of food nearly 5 days earlier, so that probably made them 
    even keener to finish fast.
    
    Fisher & Paykel finished 4th ( I think ! )
    
    The Spanish Yacht Fortuna Extra Lights finished 9th, with a lot of
    stories to tell. Their injury list included a broken leg, a broken
    collarbone and a dislocated shoulder, plus a man swept overboard 
    ( who was recovered after 17 minutes in the sea ) but inspite of this they
    announced that they had broken the 400-miles-in-24-hours barrier ( the
    official records are from noon to noon, but this was from 11 to 11 )
    by about 3 miles, they had recorded 35 knots on the log, and had
    carried their spinnaker in up to 55 knots of wind.
    
    The Russian Yacht Fazisi finished 10th without a boom.
    
    Chris.
    
    

    LIGHT WINDS FOR LATE ARRIVALS
    When the latest group of finishers arrived all the crews had stories of
    a painfully slow last few hours as they struggled in light breezes off
    the Australian coast.
    "NCB Ireland" finished last night at 0137 GMT in 13th place.They also
    started running out of food last week and for some time have been on
    short rations, the worst part of which was only two hot drinks per day
    during the coldest part of the trip.
    
    "Fazisi" crossed the line in 10th place at 16.40 GMT on Sunday, one day
    and twenty hours behind the winner.
    In fifth place was the Frenchman, "Charles Jourdan" who crossed the
    line on Saturday at 1316 GMT and docked to the strains of The
    Marseillaise. Alain Gabbay, her skipper, expressed disappointment at
    being fifth having been up with the leaders for most of the leg, but
    was full of praise for the yacht designed by Guy Ribadeau-Dumas.
    "Five days before the finish," Gabbay said, "we saw three boats on the
    same day. We passed "Rothmans" in the morning and saw "Steinlager" pass
    her on the other gybe, then we sailed alongside "Merit" for five miles.
    But we were unlucky with high pressure. It could have been anybody's
    race. The boat is terrific, she has a 17 ton displacement which is half
    of some of the other maxis. A UDLB is cheap too, this type of yacht
    costs a quarter of what it costs to build a heavy boat. Our problems
    were all because we were late launching - just two months before the
    start of the race - so we spent our time preparing the boat not
    practising.
    We still have'nt sorted out the rudder, which was twisted in
    construction, it is not symetrical and pulls the boat to the right. The
    faster she goes the harder it is to steer."
    
    In sixth place was "The Card". Martella OF was seventh., her skipper,
    Marrku Wikeri reported that they broke a boom and the starboard
    steering pedestal. They had just lost the lead before the boom broke
    and then lost another 70 miles in the 3 days they sailed without it.
    The damage to the steering pedestal was caused by a crew member, Timo
    Huttunen, whose lifeline was temporarily unhooked, being flung across
    the deck during a broach in big seas with 50-60 knots of wind. "We
    did'nt mind the damage when we knew it had stopped him from going
    overboard."
    
    "Union Bank of Finland" was in eight position. Skipper Ludde Ingvall's
    main concern was getting his crew to Fremantle safely. "We were doing
    well at the beginning and up in the top seven. But my decision was to
    be careful, being Finnish we have a great respect for ice and snow."
    He will be making recommendations on safety to the Maxi Offshore
    Association and hinted that he would recommend that future courses
    should be kept out of the ice zone.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    BREAK IN BOOM COST NCB 250 MILES
    Five more of the Class A maxis have arrived in Fremantle. Only one of
    the 15 is still at sea, the British entry "Liverpool Enterprise",
    skippered by Bob Salmon, she has another 700 miles to go and is
    expected to cross the line on Thursday.
    
    Arrivals late on Sunday or early yesterday were "Fazisi" (10th),
    "Gatorade" (11th), "British Defender" (12th), NCB Ireland (13th),
    "Belmont Finland" (14th).
    The first four of these would have finished earlier had they not lost
    time due to boom breakage. Three of the skippers with the same make of
    boom attributed the damage to poor design, as did Markku Wiikeri,
    skipper of "Martela" who finished seventh the previous day, also with a
    broken boom.
    
    Joe English skipper of NCB estimated that it took 200 man hours to
    repair his boom, which in the atrocious weather amounted to three and a
    half to four days of work. "There was a clean break in the boom just
    behind the vang and it appears to have been caused by a point load in
    this area. IT's difficult to assess the time or distance lost, but I
    consider it was between 200 and 250 miles. On top of that it cost us
    our slot in the weather pattern at the finish. I was very
    disappointed."
    As a result of the unexpected amount of fuel consumed in generating
    electricity for the power tools used during the repair, there was
    insufficient to provide hot drinks in the Southern Ocean. "Damp clothes
    and cold drinks are not much fun." said English.
    
    Watkins skipper of "British Defender", reported several instances of
    damage, which cost them time. In the early stages they broke a forestay
    on a hard and wild reach and the mast was saved only by the quick
    reactions of the helmsman.
    Their boom had broken in a "bad crash" west of the Kerguelen Islands
    while running under spinnaker and main. The vang parted and the boom
    skyed, hitting the shrouds and cracking near the gooseneck. They
    altered course for Kerguelen hoping to put in for repairs, but when
    they got there they found the harbour untenable in a rising gale.
    Questioned on the safety aspects of fast running in poor visibility,
    through seas where there was the possibility of icebergs, Watkins
    admitted that it was "scary". He mentioned one occasion in poor
    visibility when the radar detected what they thought was an iceberg. In
    fact "I got a fright, when shortly afterwards NCB Ireland tore out of
    the fog on the opposite gybe."
    
    The next finisher is expected to be "Equity & Law", skippered by
    Dutchman Dirk Nauta, arriving tomorrow. At midday yesterday she had 400
    miles to go with no other yacht within 300 miles of her.
    She is assured of the Beefeater Trophy for Division C and continues to
    lead the combined Division C and D for their special handicap prize.
    However, the all women crew in "Maiden" skippered by Tracy Edwards,
    have reduced her lead on corrected time from four days to two in the
    past week. "Maiden" now more than 100 miles ahead of Lesprit de Liberte
    and well placed to win her first Beefeater Trophy.
    
    Skip Novak, American skipper of the Russian "Fazisi", who has taken
    part in three previous Whitbreads reported that: "I had a pretty rugged
    trip. It's the dirtiest I've been in and the worst living conditions
    I've ever experienced."
    Speaking of the route taken by "Fazisi", he said: "we took a
    conservative track to the north of the fleet. Although three of us have
    done the Whitbread before, the crew is relatively inexperienced in
    ocean racing, so there is a limit to what you can do. At the same time
    we did'nt hold back, and amazingly did'nt blow out any spinnakers."
    
    "Creightons Naturally" is reported to be seeking shelter in the
    Kerguelen Islands for repairs to her mast. She is already last in the
    fleet with another 2,300 miles to go.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    By midnight last night the Dutch yacht "Equity & Law" had another 200
    miles to go and was expected in Fremantle this evening.
    All nine yachts still at sea have now passed the Kerguelen Islands and
    are heading north into warmer waters.
    Furthest away is "Creightons Naturally" skippered by John Chittenden,
    which spent Monday night anchored off Kerguelen. She had called there
    to repair a broken fitting on her mast and was on her way again early
    yesterday.
    At a press conference in Fremantle, Harry Harkimo, skipper of Belmont
    Finland which finished 14th, commented on his and the boats
    performance: "It was the worst leg I have ever done," he said. "We lost
    the leg two days after the start, I made a mistake and kept on making
    mistakes - and then thats when you get that awful feeling in your
    stomach."
    
    Still at sea.
    
    15. EQUITY & LAW  225 MILES TO GO
    16. LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  471
    17. MAIDEN     936
    18. L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  1060
    19. RUCANOR SPORT   1153
    20  SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  1382
    21  WITH INTEGRITY  1600
    22  LA POSTE   2063
    23  CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  2262
    
    Regards,
    Tom
      

    Todays Irish papers do not carry any reports from Fremantle.
    I understand from the Sail Ireland headquarters that NCB Ireland will
    be lifted out in Fremantle for a complete survey and refit.
    In addition to fitting a new boom the most pressing repair is to fit a
    new rudder system, during the last leg the rudder bearings were leaking
    badly requiring the boat to be pumped every 15 minutes.
    
    The Swedish yacht "The Card" had no less than two crewmembers down with
    pneumonia on the trip, a third suffered a broken arm and a fourth was
    severely bruised.
    
    The Spanish yacht "Fortuna" was also dogged by injuries. I man had a
    leg broken when swept up against the mast by a huge wave, a second
    suffered a dislocated shoulder. A third crewmember was swept overboard
    in heavy seas and snow. Whilst the recovery was taking place he was
    attacked in the water by sea birds and severly pecked about the face
    and head.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    In recapping the events of the last leg, I wonder how many are dreading
    the 4th leg knowing that more of what is behind them lies ahead?  Isn't
    the 4th leg supposed to be the longest relative to time/distance spent
    in the Southern Ocean, rounding the Horn etc.?  Once again, excellent 
    coverage of the race!  I really look forward to the new entries.
                              
    Brian

    I second the applause of the note input to date.  Truly superior
    coverage that makes the magazines and newspapers here look ancient and
    shallow by comparison.  Most of my buddies are sailors and racers (who
    else could stand us?) and they are amazed by the up to date knowledge I
    can share with them on the race.
    
    When does the next leg start?  Aftr the holidays, or does Creighton's
    even have time to finish before the next leg begins?
    
    I, too would have deep misgivings about going back to the southern
    ocean given the last leg.  But, what the hell, it must beat working for
    a living.
    
    Dave

>    I, too would have deep misgivings about going back to the southern
>    ocean given the last leg.
    
	One of the crew of Fortuna ( The one who fell overboard, I think )
    	has decided that his quota of good luck has run out, and is leaving
    	the crew.
    
>    But, what the hell, it must beat working for
>    a living.                
    
    	Most of the crews are getting paid. Skip Novak ( skipper of Fazisi
    	and a veteran of several previous races ) commented on how, in the
    	past the crews used to spend the whole stopovers in a non-stop
    	party, but now they spend most of the time stripping the boats,
    	refitting, going over the rig looking for signs of fatigue etc.
    
    	"That's their job, That's what they are paid for "
    
    	Chris
    

    LEG 3
    
    Course: Fremantle to Auckland.  3,434 miles
    Departure: 23 December
    ETA: 12 - 16 January 1990
    
    The next leg is the nearest thing to a sprint on this marathon. Sailing
    south from Fremantle to pick up the Westerlies, then running across the
    Great Australian Bight.
    Along these southern latitudes blow the Roaring forties. A great
    opportunity for achieving record runs in big seas and high winds, but
    not for the faint hearted.
    Yachts may go either side of Tasmania. The trip through the Bass Strait
    typically brings nasty steep, awkward seas, though since the fleet will
    probably have the wind behind them,this should not prove too difficult.
    However, rthe route around the bottom may be faster, since the east
    coast of Tasmania is renowned for its southerly Busters: squalls which
    hit at 70 knots, then ease away to "only" 30 knots from the south,
    lasting three days. It is cold, coming straight off the Antartic
    continent, but it will hurry them along into the Tasman sea.
    The Tasman Sea has many moods. Even expert sailors in well found yachts
    have been lost in storms between Australia and New Zealand, but equally
    there is often a high pressure sitting over the middle, starving the
    area of wind.
    Once around the North Cape, the "top" of the North Island, the yachts
    have a lovely cruise past the Bay of Islands into the Hauraki Gulf and
    Auckland.
    Pleasure yachts will meet them and aircraft will be out to photograph
    them continuously.
    Then after two or three weeks at sea the fleet will arrive inh the Land
    of the Long White Cloud to a reception only the New Zealanders can
    give.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    
    Positions at 1611 GMT 30 november
    
    MAIDEN   436 MILES TO GO
    L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  554
    RUCANOR SPORT        685
    SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN 688
    WITH INTEGRITY      1153
    LA POSTE            1568
    CREIGHTONS NATURALLY 1774
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    results of 2. leg
    
    1. Steinlager	24.11.	20.34.44 (h,min,sec)
    2. Rothmans			22.07.28
    3. Merit			22.07.56
    4. Fisher + Paykel  25.11.	13.?????
    5. Ch. Jourdan		13.16.41
    6. The Card			13.57.57
    7. Martella			16.27.57
    8. UB Finland		20.13.52
    9. Fortuna			20.52.22
    10. Fazisi		26.11.  16.40.15
    11. Gatorade 		18.39.14
    12. Brit. Defender	27.11.	 1. 1.43
    13. NCB Ireland		 1.39. 2
    14. Belmont			 6.57.55
    
    Over all standings after 2 legs:
    
     1. Steinlager		53 days	 2 hours 21 min. 11 sec.
     2. Merit				15	 19	 16
     3. Fisher and Paykel	54	12	 20	 46
     4. Rothmans			14	 36	 28
     5. The Card		56	 5	 41	 22
     6. Martella			15	 22	 55
     7. Charles Jourdan			18	 26	 59
     8. Fazisi			57	15
     9. Gatorade			17
    10. Union Bank of Finland	57	19
    11. Brit. Defender  	58	 0
    12. Belmont				12
    13. NCB Ireland			16
    
    Waiting for the 23.12. A strange Date for the start, isn't it? 1
    day before x-mas?
    
    Peter

    "WITH INTEGRITY" REACHES FREMANTLE
    The British yacht "With Integrity", skippered by Andy Coghill reached
    Fremantle at 0919 GMT yesterday. She is the winner of the Beefeater
    Trophy for the Cruiser Class and is well ahead of Creightons Naturally,
    her only rival.
    "Creightons Naturally" has been slowed by problems during this leg
    including a stop at the Kerguelen Islands to effect repairs. She is
    expected in Fremantle on Friday together with "La Poste", the smallest
    boat in the race.
    
    Coghill discussed some of the events. "We had an easy trip with good
    sailing to 43 South then we ran into a high pressure system and did'nt
    move for five days. Next came the real winds of the Roaring Forties,
    but the most we experienced was 40 knots. Our receiver packed up and we
    were not able to obtain weather pictures".
    "The boom broke when the steering broke and we broached out of control.
    We were not quick enough getting the preventer off and were
    concentrating on the broken steering. The boom broke a couple of feet
    from the position it broke in the first Whitbread".
    To make a repair they shortened a spinnaker pole to use as an internal
    sleeve and shifted the previous external sleeve along the boom to cover
    both breaks. Bolts for the operation were taken from deck fittings.
    "In the second week we blew out our first mainsail and then during the
    fourth week we blew out our second one which was the one in best
    condition. Without a sewing machine on board Kim Sanders-Fisher spent
    two days handsewing the sails with help from other crew members".
    
    On November 14th iat 49.31 South one of the crew went overboard. He
    does not wish to be named until he has spoken to his parents.
    On the question of sponsorship Coghill said: "We are definately
    amateurs and we are not sponsored by anyone   -  I fund the boat
    really, having sold my house to make the trip".
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    f

    FINANCIAL AID FOR SOVIET YACHT
    The Soviet yacht "Fazisi", will be able to complete the next two legs
    after a New Zealand radio station yesterday promised to underwrite its
    costs.
    "Fazisi" was ninth overall in the 23 strong fleet after the 7,650 mile
    second leg from Punta del Este to Fremantle. The skipper, American Skip
    Novak, said earlier that "Fazisi" needed more than �63,000 pounds
    sterling to continue.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ALBATROSSES & WELLINGTONS SAVE MANS LIFE
    Irish yachting correspondent Enda O'Coineen has today provided a
    detailed report in the Irish Times from the veteran yacht "With
    Integrity".
    He reports of 39 days of Antartic cold, killer whales, broken boom, man
    overboard, food , water and toilet paper rationing just to mention a
    few of the highlights.
    Of the 14 strong crew, which included three women, there were three
    Irish crew members - Enda, Corin Mackenzie of Strangford and Deirdre
    O'Callaghan from Cork.
    Together with English skipper Andy Coghill, the crew also included Euan
    Ross, a Scottish Muslim, Bill Bridel an Australian shrimp fisherman,
    Luke Hindmark, a one-time African snake farmer; Marina Valke of France;
    Kim Saunders of the US, Diete Janssens of Belgium, Craig Rook of New
    Zealand and Julian Clegg and Chris Nichol of the UK.
    Enda speaks highly of the performance of the female crew members even
    though Deirdre O'Callaghan had a problem with the cold and ultimately
    frostbite as they progressed further south.
    
    With the shortest route between South America and Australia being
    through the South Pole, their route took them around the edge of the
    Antarcticfor nearly four weeks of the six week passage
    By week three they had sighted their first ice berg and a log extract
    is as follows:-
    
    Day 14: 49.28 South 07.49 West. Spd 9 kts course 135. Clear sky.
     "Full moon - I can read my watch by it on deck, running downwind. Wind
    21 knots. Mainsail & No.2 goose winged, Magic and Willie is alive!!!!
    It happened at 1131 this morning. It was my watch and I was on the
    helm. We had just set the spinnaker and were powering along at 12 knots
    - just starting to get this old girl to surf. Amidships on the lee
    rail, Willie was attaching a barber haul to the spinnaker sheet when
    the lazy guy, flying loose, flicked under his legs. Next I saw him
    slide past the stern staring helplessly up at me being whisked away
    with blood already pouring from a gash on his forehead. Aboard it was
    organised panic as we quickly moved to emergency drill (with water
    temperature freezing, survival time is short). Knives were out.
    Spinnaker lines were slashed and our expensive 3,000 square foot
    spinnaker was lost forever.
    Despite our safety marker buoy jettisoned immediately our lookout lost
    sight of our man. It was frightening. He had no lifejacket on over his
    heavy oilskins as is normal. Fortunately, he remained conscious and had
    the remarkable presence of mind to remove his rubber wellingtons, trap
    the air in them upside down, which helped to hold his head above water.
    Remarkably, a flock of giant albatross were hovering like vultures over
    our mans head and attracted us to his location. It was 25 minutes
    before we eventually got him back on board in a semi-conscious state.
    His eyes had a glazed look. His muscles were rigid. He was at the stage
    of torpor. It took some remarkable first aid to bring him back and he
    is now happy sipping warm soup in his bunk, with Deirdre and Chris on
    either side of him giving body warmth surrounded by countless sleeping
    bags. He will make a perfect recovery. "
    
    Log Entry Day 17. 4901South 0506 East. Spd 8 knots. Course 135. Wind 18
    knots.
    "Things have settled down now after the trauma of loosing Willie
    overboard. For muggins here and all else it was an emotional burst of
    reality. This is real frontier stuff. We're not playing.
    Like in many things, there is an over-reaction with the crew now going
    to extremes to stay clipped on with their safety harnesses. Each
    individual must look after his own safety and the advice given at the
    beginning of the voyage is being heeded. Without harness, walking
    around the edge of the boat is like walking around the edge of a 100
    floor building that moves. A sailor with out a harness on the ocean is
    like a parachutist without a parachute.
    Today, as if in reprisal for having no pickings from Willie, an
    albatross flying overhead like a B52 bomber, dropped a s--t bomb on
    Marina. We are now slowed by a torn mainsail being repaired. Radio is
    not working."
    
    The strongest winds they encountered were severe gale force 9, about 45
    knots. The most demanding part was the sheer length of time they were
    in the cold. Whilst the top generation maxis completed the course in 28
    days they were 39 days en-route.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Having some time to spare, and trying to get up to speed on things
    Irish I've just read the Whitbread reports in detail - discovering
    what really happened to NCB Ireland's boom, etc.  Terrific coverage-so
    much better than trying to glean information out of SAIL, Yachting
    Monthly, Voile et Voiliers, etc for which I have to wait a whole
    month, or the scanty Irish Times reports ... You've made my day,
    and I'll be religiously logging in to get my Whitbread notes for
    the next legs --
    
    Keep up the great work -- any more updates on the VTX stuff with
    the position in graphics?
    
    Makes my time(s) at sea insignificant ... but I can relate to the
    call of the sea ...
    
    Will there be similar coverage on the Globe Challenge Race when
    it sets out from La Rochelle?
    

   re: 135
    
    Ed, I've been trying to get you to read this file for years ! Its
    about time you came to your senses.
    
    By the way, when will we be hearing about YOUR sailing exploits
    both past and present ?
    
    JC
    

    Just got my Seahorse magazine (RORC publication)for December.  had
    accounts of the first leg of Whitbread.  As I was reading I was certain
    I had read it before.  Well, I had, word for word in this notes file
    a month or more ago.  If only we had the neat pictures in the notes
    file...
    
    Dave

    JOE ENGLISH BLAMES THE DESIGN NOT THE CREW
    Joe English, skipper of "NCB Ireland" is generally disappointed with
    the apathy in Ireland towards the yacht's challenge in the race.
    
    The Fremantle Sailing Club has been like a giant boatyard during the
    past week. Most of the yachts have been hauled out and masts have been
    removed for major compulsory checks on all gear and equipment.
    NCB Ireland re-launched yesterday and goes for a promotional sail
    today.
    For Joe English it has not been easy and earlier this week he spoke of
    his frustrations, the apathy and lack of understanding at home of his
    team's achievement to date in sailing half-way round the world.
    Though breaking the boom on the second leg was a setback, English said
    that the overall poor performance of "NCB Ireland" was not the crew's
    fault, but that the problem lay in design, ranging from the hull shape
    to the keel.
    "Having come halfway through the race my feelings now are that we've
    learnt a lot of lessons. Our problem is that there is a low level of
    knowledge back in Ireland as to what its all about. The reality is
    that, when viewed in the context of where it has come from, the Sail
    Ireland Project has done incredibly well".
    "The toughest part was loosing the boom. Quickly we had to take stock
    of what to do. Should we head for Capetown, what were food and water
    supplies like, had we the materials to complete the repair? In the end
    our achievement in completing the repair and getting back into the race
    speaks for itself."
    He went on to explain that they had lost their weather slot. "The only
    one of the maxis that did'nt pass us was "Belmont Finland" which had
    gambled on a more Northerly route".
    "Because we're a bit slower we had to push harder and at times keep
    spinnakers up longer, when other yachts have dropped theirs, in order
    to keep in the race".
    Does this not mean taking greater risks by holding on to spinnakers
    through extreme conditions? English disagreed, saying that his crew
    could handle it but that it was hard going. "The others would change
    down because they would generate the same speed without their
    spinnakers in these conditions whereas we could not".
    Looking forward to Leg 3 which starts on December 23rd, English said
    that he was very happy with preperations. Virtually everything on the
    yacht has been tested.
    At one stage, Johnny Smullen, a member of the shore support team, said
    that they discovered a crack in the rudder which could have been very
    serious. "On digging deeper we discovered that it was only the outer
    coat and cosmetic, which was quickly covered up. We were glad to have
    taken the rudder off to check", Smullen said.
    
    Meanwhile the cash starved Soviets recent trip to New Zealand to plead
    for financial support has paid enormous dividends.
    They had failed to raise sufficient funds in Australia, but both Skip
    Novak,the American skipper, and Vladislav Murnikov won the hearts of
    the New Zealand public. Indeed, it is remarkable to contrast the very
    positive attitude and media coverage that the two New Zealand entries
    in the race receive with what seems to be happening in Ireland with the
    NCB project.
    Not surprisingly, New Zealand was an obvious country in which to seek
    help. According to Barry Everard of the FM89 radio station, their
    phones have not stopped ringing since they put out the appeal.
    "We've had offers of accomodation in Auckland, food for the fourth leg
    and much more"., Everard said whilst offering his radio station as a
    mothpiece for their fund raising. An Auckland car dealer has donated a
    BMW to be raffled by the radio station - one of several major
    donations.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NOMADIC LIFESTYLE - MARRIAGES DON'T LAST LONG
    Professional sailors in the multi-million pound world of yacht racing
    pay a very high price for their exciting and, at times, glamorous life
    in the fast lane of sport.
    "You're never at home so its impossible to sustain a healthy
    relationship." This is the view of Cork born Killian Bushe, builder and
    crew member of "NCB Ireland"
    Bushe, aged 34 and married with a son, Rory aged 10, has announced that
    he is filing for divorce from his wife Diana.
    Commenting on the race itself he said the Whitbread was something "not
    to be missed", but he could not continuously commit himself to that
    type of racing.
    Life on board is "monotonous,exciting,boring and conditions are tough.
    Living in a confined space for four weeks at a time can create
    tensions. So far it has not got to the crew of NCB and they are one of
    the few crews who drink together when they step ashore.
    During the voyages they carry very little clothing and only change once
    every two weeks.
    In the freezing conditions on the last leg they did not wash, instead
    they use body wipes with alchohol to keep cleen.
    In hot climates they wash daily, but surprisingly are more prone to
    developing skin sores. "We call it gunnel bum or nappy rash. It comes
    from being wet sitting out over the side".
    Bushe has high praise for the ship's cook, Richard Gibson, who trained
    at Ballymaloe House, Co.Cork. But he says, as they get closer to port,
    usually about a week out, they all dream of fish and chips and burgers
    and beer.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    End of the second leg thanks to all those involved in this conversation!!!

    Having been relocated to China Lake, California (SW of Death Valley)
    this notes file is my only feel for the ocean.
    
    once again, THANKS for the spray of words on my face...
    
    					John Papa

    While recharging his batteries in Fremantle, yachting correspondent
    Enda O'Coineen went for a day trip with Laurie Smith on "Rothmans" to
    learn of his views on the race up to now:-
    
    Rottnest Island loomed as the giant maxi yachts converged on the finish
    line off Fremantle and Perth, one of the worlds most remote cities
    After a month at sea, "Steinlager",scraped home with one hour to
    spare over Rothmans. Ten seconds later came Merit followed by Fisher &
    Paykel in fourth slot.
    In crude terms, a glorified beer came first, followed by two cigarette
    packs and a washing machine. Sponsored world sailing was about to hit
    Western Australia foll-on for the first time.
    Laurie Smith, skipper of "Rothmans", the leading British maxi, is
    symbolic of the new breed of aggresive professional long distance
    sailors. For him, the last hour of his month at sea was the most
    exciting part of the entire race. Then they gybed countless times to
    cover and finally beat "Merit" by 10 seconds on the line.
    
    A 33 year old Lancastrian, Smith has been called the greatest natural
    talent in Britain. A sailor from the age of 6, he has been winning
    championships since his teens. In 1978 he was chosen for the Moscow
    Olympics but was foiled by the 1980 boycott and went on to skipper
    "Lionheart" in the America's Cup in 1980. This established him as a top
    international skipper, racing on everything from Simon le Bon's "Drum"
    in the last Whitbread to the Australian yacht "Kookaburra" in the final
    of the America's Cup.
    "If I had a choice, I would much prefer to sail the America's Cup than
    this race. I am enjoying it but it is all so boring. Life is too short
    to spend six months bored. Its for the likes of Peter Blake doing it
    for so many times. I don't know what he sees in it, maybe playing
    around with his navigation."
    Very much the sprint short-distance sailor bringing his methods to the
    long-distance marathon, Smith went on to say that after the excitement
    of the second leg start, it was like a railway line "which we all got
    on, getting off in Australia".
    Smith's aggression towards other skippers, is new to Whitbread
    competitors, long-distance sailors generally being more low key. He has
    described Blake as a natural looser, a man not capable of winning the
    race and so forth. And while Smith has not said so there must be
    aspects of his aggression designed to psych out the opposition.
    
    Is the Southern Ocean leg unsafe, does Smith worry about a yacht
    running into an iceberg in the dead of night loosing all hands, should
    the organisers not consider sending the yachts on a more northerly
    course rather than this crazy route?
    "If you say thats crazy, fine, then you can say the whole race is
    crazy. If you don't feel up to it don't go. You don't have to go south,
    its up to each skipper to choose his own course."
    On the design of "NCB Ireland" Smith expressed the opinion that the
    yacht's hull shape was possibly OK, as is the rig, while the keel is
    wrong. "It's an inshore maxi keel, not the best one for the Whitbread,"
    he says.
    How do you feel about the adverse publicity generated by the Maguire
    and Hiddis defection from NCB Ireland to Rothmans in Uruguay? One radio
    commentator described it as players changing sides in the middle of the
    football game. Was it not unsporting to poach them?
    "The football analogy is lidicrous. In football players change teams
    many times through the season, In the Whitbread crews changed boats
    several times during the last race. Neither was better off financially
    and both were happy with NCB's crew and management. They simply did not
    want to go on a slower boat and this was a better career move. Besides
    they had no contracts with NCB. That could'nt happen with us."
    Smith made the point strongly from his viewpoint that they did not
    poach the crew but on the subject of who asked who first, he said he
    could not remember. Rather, it was the result of a mutual informal
    conversation.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
      

    MORE CREW CHANGES IN FREMANTLE
    As in Punta del Este, the first stopover port, there have been many
    crew changes in Fremantle for the third leg which starts on Saturday
    23rd December.
    Among the newcomers is a local resident, Mark Green, who is joining
    theBritish maxi Liverpool Enterprise.
    Sarah Davis is replacing Sally Creaser among the all women crew of
    "Maiden", which featured prominently among the prize winners for Leg2.
    Georgio Falck, who skippered the Italian maxi "Gatorade" from
    Southampton to Punta del Este, will take over the yacht again for the
    third leg to Auckland, after Pierre Sicouri was skipper for the second
    stage.
    
    Note: Last Saturday both RTE and BBC TV Channels showed about 45
    minutes of brilliant film from Leg 2.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    BROKEN BOATS & BROKEN MEN
    An interesting article appeared in the November issue of Magill
    magazine written by Barry Picktall. It fills in some of the blanks
    here and there.
    
    After one suicide, another death by misadventure, several broken limbs,
    a tidal wave, talk of cheating and crews left destitute on the
    dockside, it is hard to believe worse things happen at sea. When the
    fleet sailed from Punta del Este everyone was glad to get away.
    The five week stopover, the result of an expensive miscalculation on
    the speed these yachts can maintain, proved two weeks too long.
    The first shock was the suicide of Alexi Grischenko, co-skipper of the
    Soviet "Fazisi". The drastic rebuilding of the yacht in England,
    sponsorship problems, coupled to the fact that he could not speak a
    word of English, or accept at the last minute, the vastly more
    experienced American yachtsman Skip Novak as co-skipper, may all have
    contributed to his sense of inadequacy.
    
    11 days later was the tragic death of Janna Gustavsson in a motorbike
    accident. He was a crewmember of the Swedish yacht "The Card".
    
    Then came the mystery of the missing promoter. Patrick Tabarly of the
    French yacht L'Esprit de Liberte was forced to return to France three
    days after his arrival to search for Patrick Dubourg, the yacht's
    owner, more than 100,000 pounds of funds and passports for all the
    crew, which Dubourg was holding to gain visas for the stopover in
    Australia. The yacht's container of supplies and equipment for the next
    leg also failed to arrive.
    Tabarly followed Dubourg's trail for 12 days, leaving his crew living
    on the charity of other teams, namely "Rucanor Sport" and "Charles
    Jourdan". He finally tracked down Dubourg in Paris. Dubourg is facing a
    350,000 pound law suit brought against him by solo round the world
    record holder Olivier de Kersauson.
    This is the fifth time that sponsorship deals have gone sour around
    Dubourg.
    
    There was unrest on the other yachts also. Lt.Col. Frank Eason, skipper
    of British Defender was forced to resign in favour of the navigator
    Lt.Com. Colin Watkins, after the yacht finished with a damaged mast in
    ninth place. What will befall Watkins if "British Surrender" (as the
    yacht is nicknamed by other teams) continues to plow a wake in
    mid-fleet remains to be seen.
    
    Then came the defection of Henri Hiddes and Gordon Maguire from "NCB
    Ireland" They were replaced by Australians Toby Richardson and Ray
    Gumley.
    
    The Finnish maxi "Martella OF" which had hit an oil pipeline, had to be
    lifted out and a 6cm gap was found at the forward end of the Speedwave
    bulb keel. After cutting inspection holes through the lead, the crew
    fount the retaining bolts moulded into the foil had merely been spot
    welded to the inner cage. None had retaining plates or nuts to support
    the weight of lead at their lower extremities, and nor had the rods
    been welded together as the construction drawings suggested. As a
    result, the 16 ton keel began to slip down the tie rods, and it was
    only a question of time before it fell off.
    Recalling the de-keeling and capsize of "Drum" four years ago, project
    manager Mikki Berner said "18 lives were put needlessly at risk".
    The West German manufacturers agreed to meet the 25,000 dollar repair
    costs carried out by the Uruguayan Navy.
    
    Then came a dramatic tidal surge that rocked the fleet one morning
    following an earthquake in San Juan, Argentina. Luckily damage to the
    yachts was superficial.
    
    Graham Robinson, doctor on "Creightons Naturally" fell off his motor
    bike on the eve of the start and broke his wrist, counting himself out
    of the race.
    He was joined on the dockside by two crew from "With Integrity" (ex
    Great Britain 2) attempting her sixth circum-navigation. Mark Fisher,
    who had sailed 10,000 miles on the yacht, refused to continue, saying
    "she is not in a fit state to go into the Southern Ocean. Someone is
    going to die."
    Fisher, an engineer, had a list of 21 items needing repair. These
    defects included cracks in the mast, badly frayed and rusted rigging,
    overheating engine, worn and dangerous winches, badly worn blocks and
    shackles and an unreliable radio.
    Jason Freeborn, his 21 year old crewmate was sacked from the yacht six
    hours before the start, and like Fisher, was left stranded without
    money or tickets to get home. Like the French from L'Esptrit de
    Liberte" they ended up knocking on the door of their Embassy for an
    assisted passage home.
    Skipper Andy Coghill's reputation was badly damaged. And a bond was set
    up to protect crews. They must not be left destitute at the whim of
    skippers or circumstance.
    
    What abot cheating? Lawrie Smith was misquoted as questioning the
    rating of "Steinlager". It caused a furore throughout the world. What
    he brought into question was the integrity of the race committee. Rear
    Admiral Charles Williams, the race chairman had promised yachts would
    be double measured before the race. This did not happen and is another
    example of the constant mind and rule changes which have wracked this
    race from the outset.
    
    15 days into leg 2 conditions were exacting their toll.
    Roger Nilson, skipper of The Card reported that Etienne Giriori had
    suffered a fractured arm when the yachy broached under spinnaker.
    Surgery will be needed in Australia to reset the bones.
    Another casualty was Claire Russel, doctor on "Maiden". She was washed
    overboard during darkness but was saved by her harness. Maiden's crew
    were severely affected by the cold. They decided hell was not fire and
    brimstone - "it is here"!
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    
    

    Tom, 
       Thanks for all your "despatchs" thus far may you and yours have
    a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
    
    Pete

    LEG 2 CONDITIONS
    Barry Pickthall commenting in Magil on the Leg 2 conditions:
    
    Conditions on the Whitbread have been worse than anything experienced
    in recent racing history. The man overboard call has gone up a record 6
    times as one after another crew have been caught out by walls of green
    water slamming them from one end of the yachts to the other.
    
    The first to loose her grip was Claire Russell, the doctor aboard
    "Maiden". She was saved by her harness and her crew mates pulled her
    back in a few moments.
    
    A day later Rasmas Schwandt from the West German yacht "Schussel von
    Bremen" was flicked overboard by a thrashing spinnaker sheet. He was
    saved by the quick reactions of the helmsman who rounded the yacht up
    into the wind. Schwandt, who was wearing an immersion suit which saved
    him, was hauled back within 4 minutes.
    
    The next incident aboard "Fortuna", came within a whisker of tradgedy.
    Xavier Visiers the designer and shore director of the Spanish yacht
    recounts what the crew of this leading challenger told him over the
    radio: "The crew were changing spinnakers. The bowman was in a bosun's
    chair swinging from the outboard end of the spinnaker pole when somehow
    the brace holding the pole let go. He crashed into the forestay and
    screamed with pain after breaking his collar bone. There were 8 men on
    deck and as one ran forward from the mast to help him, the second
    crewman was swept overboard."
    Each of the crew is equipped with an automatic distress beacon and the
    crew managed to track the signal back with a direction finder. They
    found the man within 15 minutes. As with all of Fortuna's crew who work
    on the foredeck, he was wearing a dry suit which protected him from the
    cold and four hours later he was back on watch."
    
    A day later the Humberside yachtsman Anthony Phillips, a cousin to Mark
    Phillips, drowned and his Belgian crewmate Bart van den Dewey suffered
    severe hypothermia after both were washed from "Creighton's Naturally".
    John Chittenden, Creighton's skipper, gave us this strange account to
    the death of his yacht's watchleader: "At 0302 on Sunday, the yacht
    gybed heavily running before a westerly gale. The weather runner broke
    and the yacht gybed again breaking two winch grinder pedestals.
    The mainsail was taken down and the lee runner was rapidly being set up
    when we were hit by two very huge seas at 0345. The yacht broached on
    the second sea and the poled out yankee was set aback, breaking the
    spinnaker pole.
    Two men, Bart van den Dewey and Tony Phillips were swept overboard.
    Both were equipped with lifejackets, flares and personal EPIRB's. Two
    lifebuoys and dan buoys were released and the direction finder manned.
    The headsails were dropped and the yacht motored back on the DF bearing
    to the men. The first man was located with the aid of white parachute
    flares at 0415. The first man Bart van den Dewey was recovered and
    successfully resuscitated at 0432.
    Tony Phillips was recovered and resuscitation started and continued
    until 0717 without success. Bart's lifejacket was inflated but Tony's
    was not.
    Tony Phillips hit a stanchion as he went overboard and it is thought
    unlikely that he was conscious once in the water. The two EPIRB's were
    recovered but the lifebuoys and dan buoys were not.
    Two crewmembers, Barry Mercer and Julian Morris went into the sea three
    times to assist with the recovery. Sea temperature was 7 degrees Cent.
    and a huge sea was running.
    
    The sixth unfortunate was a crewman, still unnamed from the veteran
    British cruiser "With Integrity" attempting her sixth circum
    navigation. The yacht's radio had not worked well since the start of
    the race, but in a message apparently passed via other yachts, Coghill
    reported at 1130 on November 13th, a day after the death of Tony
    Phillips. Luckily, Coghill and his crew managed to turn the yacht
    around and recovered him safely.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    With the phenominal speeds being shown by the leaders, it was estimated
    that not much more than 12 days would be required to complete the 3,434
    miles of Leg 3.
    Although its the shortest leg, in many ways its the most interesting of
    all, for though the Great Circle course goes south of Tasmania, some
    boats may be tempted to gamble by going through the Bass Strait between
    there and Southern Australia.
    It has been established that most boats prefer the orthodox ploy of
    fleet racing, keeping on much the same course as their main oponents,
    and notching up advantage through superior boat speed.
    
    Steinlager has 13 hours in hand on Merit, and considerably more on
    Rothmans and Fisher & Paykel. Blake's position is not an easy one,
    particularly as both he and Dalton will be going hell for leather to be
    first home in their native New Zealand. With so much at stake the joker
    in the pack is Lawrie Smith on Rothmans, who is already talking as a
    winner. Smith is no stranger to the art of psyching opponents, and he
    makes use of every opportunity to point out that Blake may indeed be
    the most experienced sailor in the race, having done it five times, but
    as he has never won it, the man, so says our Lawrie, must be one of
    nature's loosers, and his present seemingly unassailable lead is
    therefore going to disappear one way or another.
    
    What of "NCB Ireland"? In her present form she is slow, and if they try
    to change the keel, the shape of which is cited as one possible reason,
    then all sorts of ructions could break out, as the boats have to
    complete the race in the same basic form in which they started.
    The one ray of hope for Joe English and his crew is to achieve a single
    figure placing on this leg, it would be a marvelous achievement. Their
    gallantry in driving their ship through thick and thin is universally
    acknowledged.
    When the boats were lifted out in Fremantle, "Rothmans" and NCB were
    side by side, one of those who was on the scene to make comparisons was
    Harold Cudmore. It will be interesting to hear his report, but it won't
    be available for some time yet, as Harry has other problems on his
    plate. He is skippering the 50 foot "Heaven Can Wait" for the British
    team in the Southern Cross series in Australia. She was dismasted
    before the start of the series and a few days ago, racing in heavy
    weather, she literally started to fall apart, her deck delaminating and
    a frame breaking in the hull. Despite that Cudmore nursed her to the
    finish in seventh place keeping her second on the points table.
    
    Personal note: I hope you have all spent an enjoyable Christmas and I
    wish all the readers of this note every good wish for the New Year.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Whether Lord Lichfield was ever keen on taking part in the Whitbread is
    now academic. The Queen's cousin, and famous photographer, has los his
    assigned berth on "Rothmans" to a professional sailor. No one believes
    this event is about fun anymore.
    "It was my decision not to take him. We did'nt have enough bunks," the
    skipper of "Rothmans", Lawrie Smith said. Yet even a week ago gossip
    among the Rothmans crew predicted that the noble lord would not be
    going to sea. "He read that we ran out of lobster on the last leg,"
    joked Smith.
    Lichfield was due to sail on the shortest leg, and much publivity had
    been made by Rothmans, the sponsors, of his intended participation.
    
    On 23 December the fleet sailed for Auckland. After a week of
    temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, Fremantle laid on a tropical
    storm for the start. First over the line was the swiss entry "Merit"
    followed by "Steinlager" and "Fisher & Paykel". Mainsails were reefed
    in reported gusts of 45 knots. Rothmans started in fourth place.
    The all-conquering women on "Maiden" were at the head of their division
    despite the extra weight of a Christmas tree on board.
    
    From Fremantle down to Cape Leeuwin (the southwestern tip of Australia)
    the boats will utilise strong land breezes and will stay bunched
    together. At the Cape they turn left toward the southern tip of
    Tasmania, 1,800 miles away. This area, The Great Australian Bight, is
    dominated by a slow moving high pressure system and in the centre winds
    are fickle and light.
    The fastest yachts may take a gamble and drop away south back into the
    Roaring Forties.
    Much is expected of Peter Blake on this leg. His sponsor, the largest
    brewery in Australia, is desperate for him to bring the giant red yacht
    first into Auckland.
    "Merit" is 12 hours behind Blake and 20 hours behind him is Rothmans
    and Fisher & Paykel. Only these three threaten Blake's chances of
    winning the Whitbread overall.
    While Blake's tactics will be to cover these rivals, other competitors
    may seize a chance for glory. Fast and extraordinarily light sloops
    such as the French "Charles Jourdan" or Spanish "Fortuna" may ignore
    the tussling leaders, take a chance on a shifting weather pattern and
    go straight for Auckland.
    Once around Maatsuyker Island light at the southern tip of Tasmania the
    fleet faces a 1,000 mile trudge up the unpredictable Tasman Sea to the
    northernmost tip of New Zealand. It could be spinnaker conditions or a
    six day beat into a northerly gale.
    Below decks, "Rothmans" is stuffed with a new inventory of sails flown
    in from American lofts, including a new super-light genoa. "We're
    taking everything from quarter ounce kites to storm trysails," Smith
    says.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    "FISHER & PAYKEL" IN LEAD AGAIN
    "Fisher & Paykel", the NZ ketch skippered by Grant Dalton, recovered
    the lead she lost two days ago to Alain Gabbay's "Charles Jourdan".
    The fleet of 23 yachts are now nearly halfway through the 3,400 mile
    leg from Fremantle to Auckland.
    Dalton's lead of 1 mile however, seems no more secure than it was
    earlier, With "Steinlager" and "Rothmans" only 7 and 18 miles astern
    respectively, none of the leading pack can affoard the slightest error
    or mishap. In fifth place, waiting to take advantage of any mistake is
    "Fortuna", the fastest yacht so far over a 24 hour period.
    
    So far the majority of the fleet have sailed a more or less direct
    course for the southern tip of Tasmania, where they will then head NE
    for New Zealand. Only "Union Bank of Finland" and "NCB Ireland" went
    further south and the tactic does not seem to have paid off. The two
    yachts are now 12th and 14th in Division A.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NEW ZEALANDERS IN COMMAND
    "Fisher & Paykel", was still nominally the leader yesterday - but only
    by 8 miles from her great rival "Steinlager".
    In third place, 9 miles astern of "Steinlager" after leading for two
    days at Christmas, was Alain Gabbay's lightweight French sloop "Charles
    Jourdan". "NCB Ireland" remained in 14th position.
    "Maiden" was radio duty yacht yesterday and in her routine call to
    Portsmouth, she reported that all was well with the fleet, though
    "Maiden" broke her second reef line on Wednesday while sailing into the
    teeth of a 35 knot headwind.
    
    Meanwhile in the Southern Cross series Alan Bond's super-maxi
    "Drumbeat" snatched back the lead for the third time in the
    Sydney-Hobart classic, marred yesterday by the death of an Australian
    yachtsman.
    Peter Taylor (58) suffered fatal head injuries when he was hit by the
    falling mast when the sloop, "Flying Colours", was dismasted in rough
    seas.
    
    WHITBREAD POSITIONS @1703 GMT 28 DECEMBER
    
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL   1569 MILES TO GO
    2. STEINLAGER 2      1577
    3. CHARLES JOURDAN   1586
    4. ROTHMANS          1613
    5  FORTUNA           1648
    6  MERIT             1669
    7  MARTELA           1682
    8  BRITISH DEFENDER  1755
    9  FAZISI            1766
    10 THE CARD          1770
    11 GATORADE          1773
    12 BELMONT FINLAND   1780
    13 UNION BANK OF FINLAND  1787
    14 NCB IRELAND       1841
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  2013
    16 EQUITY & LAW      2034
    17 WITH INTEGRITY    2035
    18 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY 2081
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  2089
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  2101
    21 MAIDEN            2102
    22 RUCANOR SPORT     2118
    23 LA POSTE          2318
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    FISHER & PAYKEL LOSES THE LEAD
    A speculative tack to the north appears to have cost Grant Dalton's
    "Fisher & Paykel" the lead in the third leg. A chart plot of her course
    yesterday clearly showed a 90 degree change in direction from east to
    north and then, after a few miles, a return to the origional tack.
    
    Meanwhile "Steinlager" maintained her easterly course and when the two
    boats were again parallel, "Steinlager" was 6 miles ahead of F&P.
    
    The British sloop "Rothmans" is still third, 22 miles behind "Fisher &
    Paykel" and positioned considerably further south than the two New
    Zealanders. Lawrie Smith has already confirmed that he is heading
    directly for New Zealand, where he hop-es to be the first to pick up a
    helpful coastal breeze.
    "Rothmans" is followed closely by "Martela", "Charles Jourdan" and
    "Merit". Only 48 miles seperate the first six yachts and all are now
    expected to complete the remaining 700 miles of leg 3 on Thursday.
    
    "Equity & Law" skippered by Dirk Nauta, was radio yacht yesterday an
    confirmed that "Creightons Naturally" had collected spare parts for her
    steering in Hobart, Tasmania and was now pressing on across the Tasman
    Sea. Surprisingly, she did not loose much by her diversion and is only
    36 miles behind "With Integrity" her class rival.
    Nauta reported that the smaller yachts had enjoyed a hectic New Years
    Eve sailing through a frontal system that brought westerly winds of up
    to 45 knots.
    "Equity & Law" is 63 feet and is the only entry in Division c. She is
    able to keep pace with the slower 80 foot maxis in Division A and is at
    present leading the race on handicap in the combined Divisions C and D.
    The five boats in Division D are fighting their own race with "Maiden"
    in the lead. She is two miles ahead of L'esprit de Liberte and both are
    about 1200 miles from Auckland.
    "Schlussel von Bremen", Sunday's joint leader with L'esprit de Liberte,
    lost ground during the night and is now third 16 miles astern.
    Patrick Tabarly, skipper of L'esprit de Liberte, described their
    reacation to a previous front. The wind first dropped and shifted to
    the west as they approached Tasmania, so they hoisted a spinnaker. Then
    the wind suddenly increased to 38 knots, so they dropped the kite in a
    hurry and set a smaller headsail. When the squall passed, they set the
    spinnaker again, only to suffer a Chinese gybe with the mainsail
    twisted, the top half on one side of the mast and the bottom on the
    other. The yacht lay on her side for several minutes, luckily when she
    staggered up again, no damage had been sustained.
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    I had the opportunity a few month ago to sail the Fisher & Paykel
    from Plymouth to Ostend. It was an extremely exciting experience.
    I met also Steve Morris. He is part of Fisher & Paykel on shore
    team responsible for their computer systems. The applications running
    on the uVAX 2000, an Ocean Routing Computer Analysis System, has
    been developped together with a team in Digital New-Zealand.
    If someone wants to know more about the uVAX 2000 and its applications
    on the Fisher & Paykel, contact RICHARD GORHAM, Finance and Banking
    Departement @NZO , Digital Auckland, New Zealand.
    
    Steve Morris is also reachable at 
    MAXIFORCE '89 Limited
    PO BOX 42-038 ORAKEI
    AUCKLAND 5 NEW-ZEALAND
    Telephone (64) (9) 792-626
    FAX number : 0752-221802
     
                              

    Hi Tom,
    
    I gave a copy of the notes-file as a X-mas present to my father,
    who is a passionate sailor. He was very pleased with the reports
    and he is looking forward to read the updates.
    Keep them coming.
    
    Paul
    

    "NCB IRELAND" CHANCES GO BOOM AGAIN
    Powering through the Tasman Sea toward Auckland, in the black of night
    under full spinnaker and 28 knots of wind, "NCB Ireland's" crew were
    set to sail into the new decade in style. They were making good time
    when the boom broke - for the second time.
    It happened at 15 minutes to midnight on New Year's Eve and is reported
    to be a very bad break with the chances of making repairs at sea very
    slight. Fortunately, the wind has held and yesterday evening NCB was
    reported to be making 10 knots on course with spinnaker set and the
    main sheeted to the deck.
    
    Another boat to suffer damage is the French "Charles Jourdan". The
    light weight maxi skippered by Alain Gabbay was badly damaged yesterday
    after colliding with a whale in the Tasman Sea. Gabbay said that the 72
    foot yacht has a hole 3.5 metres long by 0.6 metres wide at the deck
    edge on her starboard side. None of the crew were injured and the yacht
    is continuing, but only on the starboard tack, with the hole clear of
    the water.
    When she reaches Cape Reinga and has to turn eastand then south east to
    finish, she may have to reconsider her options. If she is then unable
    to complete the 200 miles to Auckland Gabbay may make for another port
    to repair before continuing.
    At present she is maintaining 6th place and midday yesterday was 500
    miles from the finish. She has already sailed 120 miles since hitting
    the whale in 40.30S 167.05W.
    
    In a poor telephone link last night Joe English spoke of a rough choppy
    sea with sloppy conditions left over from the recent 45 knot winds. The
    boom break is in a different place to the origional repair in Fremantle
    and has held. The new break is in the centre - the strongest point.
    Bruce Thompson, the boom designer, expressed total surprise and said
    that the boom, while lighter, is stronger than the origional boom which
    his company, Sparcraft, also built.
    "The reports are not making a lot of sense. This one is stronger than
    the "Rothmans" boom (also Sparcraft) and has at least 15% more strength
    than the origional," Thompson said while rejecting suggestions that his
    design was at fault.
    Thompson speculated that a hydraulic fluid pipe might not have been
    wide enough to ease the emergency vang release quick enough on the boom
    hitting the water, or more likely that the crew were using a seperate
    boom strop lashed directly to the rail which would not have released
    fast enough in the event of the boom hitting the water.
    
    "Steinlager" has a slender three mile lead on Fisher & Paykel. In third
    place is "Rothmans" which lost ground during the night and is 40 miles
    astern. She is now 5 miles ahead of "Merit". Following the same course
    as the two leaders, "Martella" is fifth. NCB is currently 14th and was
    260 miles astern of "Steinlager".
    
    In division D "Maiden" still leads L'esprit de Liberte. Five miles
    astern is Schlussel von Bremen and seven miles behind her is Rucanor
    Sport still minus her SatNav.
    With Integrity is still 40 miles ahead of "Creightons Naturally" which
    lost time when she stopped at Tasmania for steering repairs. These two
    still have 1000 miles to go and their ETA is Sunday, three days after
    the race leaders.
    
    Positions @1703 GMT 2 January
    
    1. STEINLAGER    397 MILES TO GO
    2. FISHER & PAYKEL  399
    3. ROTHMANS   439
    4. MERIT  448
    5. MARTELA  465
    6. CHARLES JOURDAN 509
    7. FORTUNA 513
    8. THE CARD 522
    9. BRITISH DEFENDER 549
    10 UNION BANK OF FIN 562
    11 FAZISI  597
    12 GATORADE 604
    13 BELMONT FINLAND 647
    14 NCB IRELAND 657
    
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    PROFILE OF A SAILOR
    It is obvious from the reports covering the race so far that the
    all-women crew of the British yacht "Maiden" have sailed
    extraordinarily well in a very tough race.
    I picked up the following short article which profiles Angela Farrell
    from Dublin who is a crewmember:
    Angela Farrell left an insurance company job to take part in the
    Whitbread aboard "Maiden", the first all-women boat in the history of
    the race. With barely a week's notice, she had to raise 5,000 pounds in
    sponsorship, resign from her job, pack her bags and prepare for the
    gruelling 32,000 mile nine month voyage. Not a task for the faint
    hearted.
    Angela, 27, has been sailing since she was a child. Her father built a
    40 foot ketch and they sailed to France when she was small. In 1988 she
    was a member of the all-women crew in the Round Ireland Race which came
    23rd out of 52 entries.
    The Whitbread will enhance her reputation in competitive racing
    circles, particularly as "Maiden" finished the tough second leg in
    first place in her class.
    Ironically, when "Maiden's" skipper Tracy Edwards first sought
    sponsorship for the project, she was turned down by nearly 300
    companies. Many of them apparently felt that an all-women crew did not
    represent a serious challenge.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    TOP FOUR TWENTY MILES APART
    The leaders have drawn closer together during the past 24 hours. The
    scene is set for a dramatic finish in Auckland in a day or two.
    At 1300 GMT yesterday only 20 miles seperated the first four yachts,
    with places having changed during the morning and the two NZ ketches
    being at one time seperated by "Rothmans". Auckland is only 300 miles
    away but the ETA is uncertain because of fickle winds.
    
    "Steinlager" continues to set the pace and has pulled ahead by 4 miles
    after "Rothmans" got worryingly close to her yesterday morning. "Fisher
    & Paykel" has recovered her second place, five miles ahead of Rothmans
    although many miles to the west of her close to "Steinlager".
    
    With fickle winds favouring first one yacht then the other as they
    converge on Cape Reinga at the north west tip of New Zealand it is a
    nerve racking time for the crews.. The eventual leader on the final
    short leg into Auckland could well be "Merit" which was only 20 miles
    astern of "Steinlager" and sailing faster yesterday morning, possibly
    bringing the wind with her and up to the leaders.
    
    The smaller yachts and the cruisers still 800 miles from Auckland, can
    look forward to at least another three days at sea, possibly more if
    the wind dies or goes ahead.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @1511 GMT 3 JANUARY
    1. STEINLAGER   266 MILES TO GO
    2. FISHER & PAYKEL  270
    3. ROTHMANS  275
    4. MERIT  286
    5. FORTUNA  321
    6. MARTELA  323
    7. THE CARD  336
    8. CHARLES JOURDAN  390
    9. BRITISH DEFENDER  392
    10 UNION BANK OF FIN. 423
    11 GATORADE  454
    12 FAZISI  464
    13 BELMONT FINLAND  520
    14 NCB IRELAND  525
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    GAP NARROWS FOR THE FINISH
    It looks as though the hopes of New Zealand's countless sailors for a
    dramatic finish will be met. Yesterday the two Kiwi ketches were placed
    first & second 130 miles from Auckland.
    
    At 1000 GMT yesterday "Steinlager" was still ahead maintaining a
    fragile two mile lead on "Fisher & Paykel". Five miles astern of this
    pair was the Swiss "Merit" and "Rothmans".
    "F&P" was at that time sailing faster (9.3 knots) than the others (8.6
    knots), so there could still be surprises in store before the finish.
    
    These four leaders were followed in quick succession by four or five
    other boats making this the closest group of finishers in Whitbread
    history.
    "The Card" was only 20 miles behind "Rothmans" and "Merit", followed by
    "Fortuna" two miles behind her; then came "British Defender" and
    "Martela" 16 and 21 miles further back.
    
    The Soviet "Fazisi" made radio contact with the London boatshow
    yesterday. Skip Novak confirmed that it was a tough race. He refused 
    to gather his crew for a Russian song saying they were all sitting out
    on the weather rail, trying to stay ahead of "Gatorade" which was 2
    miles to leeward. He added: "We are also trying hard to get into
    Auckland before the pubs close tomorrow night"...
    
    Among the smaller yachts "Schlussel von Bremen" leading Division D was
    only 600 miles from the finish. She was one mile ahead of L'esprit de
    Liberte which in turn was one mile ahead of "Maiden".
    "Creightons Naturally" lost more time on Wednesday in her struggle to
    catch up on "With Integrity", when her main blew out in a squall. She
    was yesterday using her spare and 60 miles astern with 600 to go.
    
    Argos positions 1200 GMT 4 January
    
    1  STEINLAGER 134 TO GO
    2  FISHER & PAYKEL 136
    3  MERIT  141
    4  ROTHMANS  141
    5  THE CARD  161
    6  FORTUNA  163
    7  BRITISH DEFENDER  179
    8  MARTELA  184
    9  CHARLES JOURDAN  201
    10 FAZISI  231
    11 GATORADE  231
    12 BELMONT FINLAND 313
    13 UNION BANK OF FINLAND  317
    14 NCB IRELAND  320
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  482
    16 EQUITY & LAW  564
    17 WITH INTEGRITY  606
    18 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  648
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  649
    20 MAIDEN  650
    21 RUCANOR SPORT  666
    22 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  666
    23 LA POSTE  978
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

    1. Steinlager    4.1.1990 23.33.00 arrival time
    2. Fisher + Pa               39.04
    3. Merit         5.1.     00.44.17
    4. Rothmans                  54.37
    5. The card                2.49.50
    6. Fortuna                 3.22.22
    7. Martella                4.42.57
    8. Brit. Defender          5.29.25
    
    Next Boats expected:
    
    Charles Jourdan
    Facisi
    Gatorade
    NCB
    Belmont
    
    On the last few miles they had very strong winds: 45 knots. Merit
    and Rothmans were sailing side by side. Both ships were sailing
    a "normal, large" spinaker. Rothmans spi "exploded". This was the
    reason that Merit ends this time a few minutes earlier!

    BLAKE'S TACTICS PAY OFF
    With most of the yachts now in Auckland there are less than 15,500
    miles left to go until Southampton.
    Peter Blake on "Steinlager" remains undisputed at the top of the class.
    He won Leg 3 in classic style, crossing the line 5 minutes and 4
    seconds ahead of "Fisher & Paykel".
    For the past twelve days the two NZ ketches have never been out of
    sight. Sometimes the gap bow to stern was only 50 yards.
    What won him the leg was Blake's acute receptivity to tactical
    information. With two hours to the finish, Radio New Zealand was
    covering the final stages live, Blake had the radio in the cockpit.
    As the commentator casually mentioned a squall approaching, Blake
    reacted. Steinlager had dropped the spinnaker and reefed the main
    before the 40 knot gust hit them.
    Aboard "Fisher & Paykel" there was no preperation. "The squall
    flattened us and we half expected to see the mast in the water," Dalton
    said. "Steinlager reacted quicker and that made the difference."
    It was a similar story on Rothman's. The vicious squall blew out a
    spinnaker and damaged the main. Whi8le chaos reigned, "Merit",the Swiss
    sloop racing neck & neck with Rothmans, slipped past and into Auckland
    in third place.
    Smith admitted he was so engrossed match racing against Rothmans,that
    he missed the approaching storm clouds. Blake on the other hand did not
    miss a trick.
    
    Aboard Steinlager the weather data is processed through two systems.
    One is a powerful Mackintosh running specially developed software. The
    other is Blake's brain, already tackling its fifth Whitbread. If the
    answers conflict, Blake's output is regarded as the most reliable.
    Steinlager is now 14 hours ahead of Merit overall, and close to 36
    hours ahead of F & P. Both Pierre Fehlmann, on Merit and Laurie Smith
    concede their sloops are inferior to the two Kiwi ketches - except dead
    downwind in a 30 knot gale.
    F & P has proved to be almost identical to Steinlager, but Dalton lacks
    the finesse, intuition and motivational power of Blake.
    
    Two yachts are still at sea. "Rucanor Sport" was expected late last
    night, while "La Poste" is not due until Wednesday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Correspondent Barry Pickthall in Auckland has published a lengthy
    half-way summary in the Irish Tribune entitled Savagery on the high
    seas. Some excerpts are as follows:-
    
    The 17,500 miles now covered have been among the most savage in the 17
    year history of the race. "It's been more a destruction derby than a
    yacht race" one disillusioned crew member remarked on arrival in
    Auckland.
    Remarkably all 23 starters remain in the race. "Union Bank of Finland"
    arrived on Sunday with her wings severely clipped after being dismasted
    mid-way across the Tasman Sea. She follows "Charles Jourdan" the French
    light-weight which struggled home with a 3 metre long gash in her top
    sides after hitting a whale. The damage was enough to prompt the crew
    to prepare their liferaft, but after strapping the sides of the hull
    with alloy plates and several rolls of sticky tape, they made it in one
    piece.
    
    The highlight of this stage has been the welcome in New Zealand.
    Thousands took a day's sick leave to line every headland and scramble
    aboard any boat or join the throng in Auckland's main street to welcome
    Peter Blake and his crew. They were still there 11 hours later to
    welcome "Fazisi", the Russian underdog which Auckland has taken to its
    heart. The Russian team lost their sponsor Pepsi Cola last September
    because the company believed Americans were turning to Coca-Cola in
    protest at their support for the Ruskies, they have been strapped for
    cash ever since.
    The fleet is now preparing for the fourth and perhaps most dangerous
    leg across the Pacific to Cape Horn and a return to Punta del Este. Leg
    4 starts from Auckland on February 4th. The fifth leg is to Fort
    Lauderdale before the return across the Atlantic to Southampton next
    May.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    WARM WELCOME FOR "MAIDEN"
    One of the highlights at  the end of Leg 3 was the arrival in Auckland
    of "Maiden" and her all-women crew, including Angela Farrell of Dublin.
    For the second leg in sucession, "Maiden" finished first in Division D,
    winning on both elapsed and corrected times, and also leads the
    division on combined elapsed and corrected times for the three legs so
    far.
    "Maiden" was escorted into harbour by a flotilla of spectator craft. A
    cheering crowd of 10-15,000 Aucklanders then cheered her at the arrival
    berth and showered the girls with flowers and illuminated the scene
    with fireworks.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Tracy Edwards, the 27 year old skipper of "Maiden" and project leader
    for the challenge, has been awarded the prestigious British Yachting
    Person of the Year Trophy.
    She is the first woman to receive the award in its 35 year history. In
    the past it has been won by many famous sailing personalities,
    including Eric Hiscock, Sir Francis Chichester, Robin Knox-Johnston,
    Chay Blyth, Edward Heath and Harold Cudmore.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LAST YACHT DUE TODAY
    "La Poste", the French entry skippered by Daniel Malle, crewed by
    French postmen, and the smallest boat in the race, was confirmed
    yesterday to be within 100 miles from the finish in Auckland. She was
    expected to complete the 3,400 mile leg this morning.
    
    Race rules require that all the competing yachts undertake a major
    refit at around the half way stage, when they must be slipped and their
    masts removed. This may take place at either Fremantle or Auckland and
    several yachts have taken advantage of the facilities to be slipped in
    both ports.
    
    The French maxi "Charles Jourdan", skippered by Alain Gabbay, which was
    hit and badly damaged by a whale during the last leg, is awaiting the
    arrival of a replacement hull section from France. The new section is
    being constructed in the origional hull mold and should fit into the
    boat like a piece of a jigsaw.
    
    Tracy Edward's "Maiden", was due to have her mast taken out yesterday
    to check the hairline cracks which have appeared in the latter stages
    of the leg.
    
    "Belmont Finland" is to be lifted out today in order to check the
    rudder and its shaft. During the last leg the boat took in
    approximately 1,000 litres of water through a leak in the area of the
    rudder.
    
    REgards,
    Tom
    

    My apologies if anyone is disappointed at the shortage of entries since
    the fleet arrived in Auckland. My source of information has simply
    dried up and I am getting nothing to print.
    It looks like we may all have to wait until Leg 4 starts on February
    4th.
    Regards,
    Tom

    Thanks Tom for all the updates along the way.  In one of the ESPN
    programs there was mention of an American entry for the 4th leg.  Does
    anyone have any more details?
    
    Regards,  Don

    From this month's Seahorse.
    
    	UBF (Finland) stands for 'Usually Breaks First' following their
    	dismasting in a flat sea and 15 knots of breeze.
    
    	NCB (Ireland) stands for Nice Cruising Boat.
    

    WHITBREAD LEG 4
    
    Course: Auckland to Punta del Este, Uruguay
    Distance: 6255 miles
    Departure: 4 February
    ETA: 28 February - 8 March
    
    With bellies full of Kiwi beer and good spirits the crews will set sail
    for the climax of the trip: Cape Horn. Once again, conditions will be
    cold, and skippers must gamble on either going South among the icebergs
    for the shortest distance, or stay up at latitude 40 or 50.
    The more northern route keeps the yachts in more favourable winds as
    the depressions sweep through to the south of them. (Remember they
    rotate backwards in the Southern Hemisphere)
    Here they will sometimes be sailing with spinnakers up, from behind
    will come the squalls, each with its own black cloud overhead.
    Actually, only about half of the black clouds have a fierce squall
    underneath them. The rest are benign. The crew will be watching each
    cloud carefully until they can see underneath. If it is black, no
    problem. If it is white, they must dowse the 'chute instantly because
    the white is the tops of waves being blown off.
    The distance from New Zealand to Cape Horn seems to last forever, but
    eventually they will charge past the Cape as the clippers did so many
    years ago.
    After the Horn it is a left turn through the Le Maire Strait, and into
    the South Atlantic again, and warmth.
    Pleasant breezes and flat seas will take them to Punta, although they
    must be wary of Williwaws, the squalls which sweep down from the
    mountains at 50 knots and can flatten a yacht before the crew has time
    to get the gear off.
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    It's nice to see some more news.  I was starting to go into withdrawal
    without my Whitbread fix.  Thanks again Tom!  

    With departure day from Auckland tomorrow, my information sources are
    beginning to flow again!
    
    If leg 2 was the toughest leg, starting tomorrow and leaving Cape Horn
    to port is the most romantic. It is 6,255 miles, crossing the Pacific
    Ocean, before rounding up to the Atlantic for the final run home, and
    it is not to be underestimated.
    
    The route from Auckland will take the fleet south once more into the
    roaring forties, though not for long. For each degree a yacht decides
    to hold north for comfort, they must cover a further 40 miles on the
    water.
    
    After an elapsed time since leaving Southampton of 65 days and 19
    hours, the leader, "Steinlager" has a narrow 14 hour lead over "Merit"
    of Switzerland. With 17,365 miles sailed and 15,667 miles to go,
    virtually anything can happen.
    For the 400 sailors from 13 countries in the race, apart from the hard
    competition, sticking the course, surviving and leaving Cape Horn
    astern will be an achievement and satisfaction in itself.
    For "NCB Ireland", this country's first challenge, this is the logical
    way to view things from here on. Now that it is a matter of getting
    safely home and completing the course, the race position can only
    improve.
    To replace the boom broken on the last two legs, a replacement was
    flown out to Auckland. Ironically this is the origional which was
    rigged at launching in Dublin and has already covered 10,000 miles
    including two Atlantic crossings without incident.
    It is apparent that the boom which broke was just not strong
    enough.There is a difference of opinion with the boom designer which
    may never be resolved.
    Because of later modifications the origional boom needed a fourth reef
    point and a seareef added. This extra facility enables the lip of the
    boom to be lifted higher to avoid catching the waves, being subject to
    stress and ultimately breaking. These mods were done in Auckland.
    NCB had her first race with the new boom last Sunday in Auckland
    Harbour, several of the Whitbread yachts took part. Here she finished
    second, being narrowly pipped for line boat honours by "Fisher &
    Paykel".
    The New Zealand post office were sponsors, having developed a close
    relationship with "La Poste", the smallest yacht in the race, being
    crewed by French postal workers.
    
    The interest in the start tomorrow is unprecedented. Light winds are
    expected for the first few days along the coast and round the East Cape
    before making for the Southern Ocean. On the third leg NCB went further
    south than the bulk of the fleet, anticipating stronger winds, this did
    not pay off. For this leg, although tactical decisions will not be
    finalised until they are underway, it is thought that they will stay
    with the pack.
    
    Plans to introduce laws banning tobacco advertising could keep the next
    Whitbread race away from New Zealand. In the present fleet five out of
    23 boats are sposored by tobacco companies.
    
    Meanwhile in the non-stop single handed Globe challenge the casualties
    are mounting. Mike Plant, an American challenger, was found safe on a
    small New Zealand island yesterday after loosing contact for several
    days. Paris race headquarters said that Plant and his yacht "Duracell"
    was detected on Campbell Island, his position changed by only 200
    metres in almost 24 hours in the strong winds and heavy seas in the
    region.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    It is obvious that for some time now there has been needle building up
    between Laurie Smith of "Rothmans" and Peter Blake of "Steinlager".
    This weekend's Sunday Times confirmed this once again.
    Blake has won everyone of the past three legs. In New Zealand the blond
    giant is a national hero. Smith's yacht Rothmans is 38 hours behind
    "Steinlager on aggregate elapsed time.
    An aggressive chase is perfectly suited to Smith's high octane
    personality. Since the fleet left England he has prodded and pushed
    Steinlager in a calculated attempt to unsettle the infuriatingly placid
    Blake. "Rothman's" crew know that in the downwind sailing they will
    encounter for the next 20 days, their boat is faster than "Steinlager".
    "We've been over 60 miles ahead on previous legs," Smith said. "Now we
    have to do it again and stretch that out into 12 hours by the time we
    get to Uruguay. Blake's not unbeatable".
    "Our problem is that we have got to get away from "Merit" and
    "Steinlager". THe Swiss sloop, nearly identical to "Rothmans" is in
    second place overall, 14 hours behind "Steinlager".
    
    Blake, a quiet leader but enormously forceful, refutes the proposition
    that he is prone to bad luck. This is his fifth Whitbread. On previous
    occasions accidents and breakages have robbed him of victory. "Rothmans
    is a well sailed boat and fast but too erratic. They seem to be all
    over the ocean sometimes. Merit is our main rival because she's good
    and consistent."
    In pursuit of Blake's "zero defects" policy, Steinlager has been
    virtually rebuilt in Auckland. This leg is similar to Leg 2. A direct -
    or great circle route from Auckland to Punta takes the boats into the
    iceberg belt. 30 to 40 knot tailwinds, and freezing seas hiding
    icebergs the size of houses will be the anticipated weather.
    Navigators have been relieved to see that this season the east-going
    depressions have been fairly far north. Only the most desperate
    skippers will take the risk of running into headwinds to the south of a
    cyclonic system in search of a shorter route to the Horn.
    Once past the Horn the flat out downwind sailing will give way to 1200
    miles of hide and seek up the South American coast.
    Smith has beefed up Rothmans equipment with spinnaker poles so rugged
    that the crew can barely carry them. "If we're still this far behind at
    Punta we'll be looking to do something radical. There's no point in
    coming into Southampton fourth."
    Smith and other skippers still believe Steinlager's damage-free run is
    too good to be true. "Blake and Merit have got the most lightly built
    masts in the fleet. If they get around in one piece, that means ours
    was too heavy and I don't believe that," Smith said.
    Blake remains sanguine. "If they have'nt caught us now they are not
    going to. Barring a damage problem of course. And thats as likely to
    happen to them as us."
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    A MAST GONE ALREADY
    An estimated 6,000 craft were on the water to see the 23 entries cross
    the starting line yesterday in the Rangitoto Channel.
    The small French yacht "La Poste" was one of the first over the line in
    eight knots of northerly breeze. "The Card" and "Rothmans" soon
    accelerated into the lead, but "The Card's" race was marred within
    minutes when her mizzen mast was torn out after a collision with a
    spectator craft.
    
    Steinlager was in fourth place behind Union Bank of Finland, Rothmans
    and Merit and was soon overhauled by her rival ketch Fisher & Paykel.
    Eventually it was Steinlager and Martela that gained most from a
    pronounced windshift, to round the first mark in Mairangi Bay in second
    and third places respectively behind the leader Union Bank of Finland.
    
    At about that time NCB Ireland went aground as she sailed into Browns
    Bay, but after a brief stop the crew managed to tack the yacht and sail
    her off. NCB also went aground on the Shingles Bank shortly after the
    start in Southampton last September.
    
    Positions @1640 GMT 4 February
    
    1.Fisher & Paykel 5768 to go
    2. Steinlager 5769
    3. Merit 5769
    4. The Card 5770
    5  Rothmans 5772
    6. Martela 5775
    7. Charles Jourdan 5776
    8. Fortuna 5777
    9. Fazisi 5777
    10. Union Bank of Finland 5777
    11 NCB Ireland 5778
    12 Gatorade 5779
    13 Equity & Law 5780
    14 British Defender 5780
    15 Liverpool Enterprise 5781
    16 Rucanor Sport 5782
    17 L'esprit de Liberte 5783
    18 La Poste 5783
    19 Schlussel von Bremen 5783
    20 Maiden 5784
    21 With Integrity 5782
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

.170�    A MAST GONE ALREADY
.170�    An estimated 6,000 craft were on the water to see the 23 entries cross
.170�    the starting line yesterday in the Rangitoto Channel.

.170�    accelerated into the lead, but "The Card's" race was marred within
.170�    minutes when her mizzen mast was torn out after a collision with a
.170�    spectator craft.

    Saw that on the  news here  last night.... It looked hectic on the
     water, with spectator boats knowing NOTHING about the race sitting
    in the way.... 
    The Card happened to catch a gust, and tipped over to about 30 or
    35 degrees... enough to catch the mizzen on a spectators mast...
    The mizzen came down... the spectator boat must of had a good fright!!,
    they were tipped over until their mast was parrallel with the  water,
    and then were righted again.....

    My Initial thoughts on seeing the accident between The Card and the
    spectator boat was the same as the previous note, but later on I
    discovered that the boat in Question, along with those around it, was
    anchored, in an area designated for spectator boats and therefore I
    feel that the swedish skipper should take full responsibility for the
    accident.
    
    According to Mondays Telegraph, the mast was recovered, and will be
    repaired and flown to Chatham Island, where the yacht will make a short
    stop.
    
    Anybody know where Chatham Island is ?
    
    Chris
    

    Although many of the crews have rounded the Horn before, it will be a
    first for most of those on board NCB Ireland, including the most recent
    addition, Johnny Smullen of Dun Laoghaire. As a renowned boat builder,
    25 year old Johnny was involved in the project since the beginning but
    he put his own considerable offshore racing experience into the
    background, and was groomed for the vital role of technical support
    ashore, working with shore manager Peter McCarthy.
    They were so dedicated a pair that the shore support set up became the
    envy of many other boats - indeed, when Lawrie Smith's Rothmans arrived
    in Punta with damage after the first leg, it was to Peter and Johnny
    that he turned to for assistance in making repairs. The shore base has
    already been established in Punta with key equipment in a
    container,which has been welded shut!
    Although NCB is lying 13th her performance on Leg 3 was more
    encouraging in spite of a broken boom, enough to sustain hope that she
    might get into the single figures. Despite being down the placings, the
    fact that the boat is so beautifully built has been much appreciated by
    the Kiwi cognoscenti, and the goodwill generated by the Irish boat has
    pleasantly astonished all involved.
    On Tuesday of last week NCB led the fleet in an inshore race. It was a
    performance reminiscent of the time last June when our boat got ahead
    of Rothmans when racing in Cork harbour. In smooth water she's up with
    the best. But unfortunately smooth water is unknown in this race, so
    its back to the harsh reality of the open ocean with the battle of the
    giants between Steinlager,Fisher & Paykel, Merit and Rothmans
    inevitably taking the headlines.
    Were this a perfect world, we could say that Peter Blake has it in the
    bag, and he deserves to win. But this isn't a perfect world and it only
    takes a dismasting - as Blake knows only too well - to knock you right
    out of it.
    So nothing is in the bag until the finishing gun in the Solent sometime
    next May.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADERS STILL SET THE PACE
    Yachts which filled the first four places on Leg three were again
    setting the pace yesterday when they cleared the New Zealand coast.
    Early in the morning the two NZ ketches were in front, with "Fisher &
    Paykel" leading "Steinlager" by two miles. By mid-day "Merit" had
    improved from close third to lead F & P by 4 miles with Rothmans in
    fourth place ten miles behind Steinlager.
    
    Surprisingly, after her collision with a spectator craft which removed
    her mizzen, "The Card" was earlier lying fifth a few miles ahead of the
    other maxis, all closely grouped together. Later she dropped to 6th
    after being overtaken by "Martela".
    The Card's project manager, Tony Michaelson, thinks that her
    performance will not be too seriously affected in either very light or
    very strong winds by her unplanned conversion from ketch to sloop. It
    now remains to be seen how the weather will co-operate with her on the
    remaining 5,600 miles to Punta del Este.
    After a detailed examination of the broken spar, it is apparent that it
    cannot be repaired in time to be collected by the yacht as she passes
    the Chatham Islands. It is broken in two places and requires a new
    bottom section. The completed mast will now be flown to Montevideo.
    
    Argos positions @1937 gmt 5 February
    
    1. Merit 5,600 to go spd 5.6
    2. Rothmans 5616  5.0
    3. Fisher & Paykel 5617  4.9
    4. Steinlager  5620  4.9
    5. Charles Jourdan 5624  4.8
    6. UBF  5625  4.7
    7. Martela  5628  4.7
    8  The Card  5630  4.6
    9. Belmont Finland  5640  4.5
    10.Fortuna  5635  4.5
    11. NCB Ireland  5636  4.4
    12. British Defender  4637  4.4
    13. Fazisi  5646  5.5
    14. Gatorade  5649  4.3
    15. Equity & Law  5635 4.3
    16. Liverpool Enterprise  5652  4.0
    17  Rucanor Sport  5654  3.8
    18. Creightons Naturally  5660  3.8
    19. With Integrity  5660  3.8
    20. Maiden  5666  3.7
    21. Schlussel von Bremen 5669  3.6
    22  La Poste 5679  3.5
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    MERIT BECOMES A THREAT
    Pierre Fehlmann, who finished first in the previous Whitbread, is
    already making a determined effort to improve his second position
    overall in the present race. Having led away at the start in Auckland
    last Saturday, his Swiss sloop "Merit" has opened up a gap of seven
    miles from the second best, "Charles Jourdan", skippered by Frenchman
    Alain Gabbay.
    In third place 10 miles behind the French maxi, is Grant Dalton's
    "Fisher & Paykel" three miles ahead of "Steinlager".
    Pierre Fehlmann somehow has to reduce Blakes overall 14 hours lead to
    give himself a chance of another win.
    Blake also recognises "Merit" as being the major threat to "Steinlager"
    and before leaving Auckland he said that he would concentrate on
    keeping more in contact with her than with F & P or Rothmans currently
    third and fourth on time.
    
    The Argos position yesterday clearly shows "Merit" out on her own, with
    "Steinlager" well to the west of her, closer to F & P and Rothmans.
    "NCB Ireland" was having a good day and was level with F & P as regards
    distance to go.
    
    Charles Jourdan was out to the NE of the leading group, possibly hoping
    for a private breeze that would push her into the sort of lead she
    enjoyed on the previous leg.
    The present tracks of the leaders will take them all to the north of
    the Chatham Islands in a day or two's time.
    
    Roger Nielson's "The Card" is gradually dropping back as a result of
    her reduced sail area after losing her mizzen at the start. She was
    fifth on Monday but 24 hours later 13th and is likely to continue to
    suffer on the remaining 5,400 miles to Punta.
    
    The smaller yachts are now well clear of the East Cape and closely
    bunched. "Equity & Law" leads the non-maxis, but only by 7 miles from
    "L'esprit de Liberte".
    "La Poste" is still benefitting from her excellent start and is second
    in Division D, 6 miles astern of L'esprit de Liberte and 3 miles ahead
    of "Maiden" and "Rucanor Sport"
    
    Argos positions @ 1417 GMT 6 February
    
    1. MERIT  5,459 MILES TO GO
    2. CHARLES JOURDAN  5466
    3. STEINLAGER  5478
    4. UBF  5482
    5. ROTHMANS  5487
    6. MARTELA  5500
    7. FISHER & PAYKEL 5502
    8. NCB IRELAND  5502
    9. GATORADE  5504
    10.FORTUNA 5504
    11.BRITISH DEFENDER 5505
    12.FAZISI 5506
    13 THE CARD  5506
    14 BELMONT FINLAND  5507
    15 EQUITY & LAW 5511
    16 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  5516
    17 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  5523
    18 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  5524
    19 LA POSTE  5529
    20 WITH INTEGRITY  5524
    21 MAIDEN  5532
    22 RUCANOR SPORT 5532
    23 SCHUSSEL VON BREMEN 5536
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

    The wind is coming up from behind. All is close together again!
    
    Average speed within the last 24 hours:
    Merit    10.66 kn
    F + P    11,26 kn
    Steinl.  11,30 kn
    
    1. Merit            5236
    2. F + P            5238
    3. Steinlager       5240
    4. Charles Jourdan  5254
    5. UBF              5260
    6. Rothmans         5268
    7. Martella         5273
    8. NCB              5276
    9. Brit. Defender   5280
    10. Fortuna         5283
    11. Belmont         5295
    12. Gatorade        5295
    
    
    17. The Card        5320
    
    Regards
    
    Peter

    FLEET SPREADS OUT
    There has been a fascinating difference of opinion among the 23
    skippers about how best to escape from the light winds around NZ and
    into the stronger winds of the Southern Ocean.
    There is now a spread of about 200 miles between those farthest east
    and west, with those in the west farther south hoping to be the first
    to catch the freshening breezes. The leaders however, are closely
    grouped together, about midway between the two extremes.
    
    "Merit" continues to lead, but only by 2 miles from F&P with
    "Steinlager" another three miles astern. "Charles Jourdan" is now
    fourth after leading two days ago and she is the most easterly of the
    yachts.
    She is followed by UBF and Rothmans 32 miles astern of Merit and about
    equally spaced on either side of her, with Rothmans to the west.
    The most westerly of all is The Card that is now sailing as a sloop.
    She is obliged to try something different from the other maxis now that
    her sail area has been so drastically reduced. Unfortunately for her,
    sailing conditions were ideal for ketches yesterday and it seems
    inevitable that in 17th place she will continue to lose touch with the
    leaders.
    
    Liverpool Enterprise has reported that none of the electrical
    instruments on With Integrity are functioning, although her radio was.
    With Integrity was 20 miles astern of her class rival Creightons
    Naturally.
    
    L'esprit de Liberte is leading Rucanor Sport by 9 miles. Rucanor Sport
    has recovered well from a poor first two days, when Dubois admits that,
    together with Maiden he stayed too close to the NZ coast.
    Tracy Edwards and her all girl crew on Maiden are now third in class.
    
    
    Argos positions @1516 GMT 7 February
    
    1. Merit   5208
    2. F & P  5208
    3. Steinlager  5212
    4. Charles Jourdan  5224
    5. UBF  5229
    6. Rothmans  5241
    7. Martela  5241
    8. NCB Ireland  5246
    9. British Defender  5250
    10 Fortuna  5255
    11 Gatorade 5268
    12 Belmont Finland 5269
    13 Fazisi  5275
    14 Liverpool Enterprise  5279
    15 Equity & Law  5283
    16 Creightons Naturally 5294
    17 The Card  5296
    18 L'esprit de Liberte 5296
    19 With Integrity 5313
    20 Rucanor Sport  5316
    21 Maiden  5322
    22 La Poste  5328
    23 Schlussel von Bremen  5336
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Positions of feb. 7.   11.30
    
    1.     F + P         4974
    2.     Steinlager    4978
    3.     Merit         4982
    4.     Ch. Jourdan   5012
    5.     UBF           5014
    6.     Rothmans      5017
    7.     Martella      5028
    8.     NCB           5038
    9. Brit. Defender    5043
    10.    Fortuna       5051
    11.    Belmont       5061
    12.    Gatorade      5066
    13.    Facisi        5066
    
    Merit hit a whale. Dangerous situation but fortunately no serious
    damage. She lost some time at least.
    
    Rucanor hit also a whale, but she hat serious damages. Don't know
    what? But she must return back to NZ!
    
    Peter

    BELGIAN YACHT DAMAGED BY WHALE
    "Rucanor Sport", the Belgian entry of Bruno Dubois, in Division D, has
    become the latest yacht in the fleet to be seriously damaged in a
    collision with a whale, and is now returning to NZ for repairs to her
    rudder.
    The accident occured at 0200 GMT in the fifth day of Leg4 while Rucanor
    was sailing at 9 knots under spinnaker. She had then completed about
    600 miles of the 6,200 mile leg. According to Dubois, the first
    indication of something unusual was a strange noise from under the bow
    of the boat, then the stern was lifted violently into the air, before
    crashing back into the sea.
    Water poured into the stern, so three men went quickly overboard to
    assess the damage. They found that the bottom half of the rudder had
    been sheared off, the shaft was dislodged - which was the source of the
    leak - and the steering quadrant had broken away from the top of the
    shaft.
    The leak was quickly controlled and after four hours of further
    repairs, during which time all the sails and heavy gear was stowed
    forward in order to raise the stern, Rucanor set off under sail for
    Wellington, 500 miles away.
    In addition to the damage to the rudder, most of her communications
    antennae, together with the Argos position beacon, were swept
    overboard. The initial report of the incident was relayed to race
    headquarters in Portsmouth by Tracy Edwards, skipper of Rucanor's rival
    "Maiden".
    She was nearby and able to talk to Dubois on short range VHF. This is
    the second time during the present race thait "Maiden" has been
    involved as the link between a yacht in trouble and race headquarters.
    During the second leg Tracy conveyed the news of the loss overboard of
    two men from Creightons Naturally and the subsequent death of Tony
    Phillips.
    
    Argos positions @ 1715 GMT 8 FEBRUARY
    
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL 4,915 MILES TO GO  AVERAGE 8.2 KTS
    2. STEINLAGER  4912  8.1
    3. MERIT  4926  8.1
    4. ROTHMANS  4960  7.8
    5. UBF  4964  7.8
    6. CHARLES JOURDAN  4964  7.8
    7. MARTELA  4974  7.7
    8. NCB IRELAND  4985  7.6
    9. BRITISH DEFENDER  5000  7.4
    10.FORTUNA  5002  7.3
    11 BELMONT FINLAND  5009  7.3
    12 GATORADE  5013  7.3
    13 FAZISI  5013  7.3
    14 THE CARD  5049  7.0
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  5051  7.0
    16 EQUITY & LAW  5064  6.8
    17 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  5074  6.7
    18 WITH INTEGRITY  5117  6.4
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  5122  6.3
    20 MAIDEN  5138  6.2
    21 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  5153  6.0
    22 LA POSTE  5156  6.0
    23 RUCANOR SPORT  5291 5.6  WITHDRAWING
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NCB'S BOOM GONE AGAIN?
    It is hard to  believe but one paper here at the weekend carried a
    brief report that NCB's boom had broken for the third time. I am
    waiting for this morning's papers for  confirmation. Her position on
    this leg has been more encouraging.
    
    The race is now up to full speed. The leaders, down at 52 degrees
    south, are averaging more than 15 knots as they run southeastwards
    under spinnakers before the gale force westerlies of the Southern
    Ocean.
    Out in front are the 82 foot F & P and the 84 foot Steinlager. These
    two, spurred by intense private rivalry, continue to have the edge over
    the rest of the fleet. Battling for third place was Lawrie Smith in the
    80 foot Rothmans and the 81 foot Merit. The two sloops were just a mile
    apart on Saturday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Tom, would this be the original design that had broken before, or the
    "old", proven boom?  Either way, designers have to realize that these
    things take enormous punishment and should be designed to take it. 
    Theory does no good in the southern ocean.  Glad these guys don't
    design commercial aircraft!
    
    Dave

    
    NCB is currently sailing with the original boom. It's the gooseneck
    which has broken this time, according to reports in yesterdays papers
    they expect to be able to fix it quite quickly.
    
    	Regards,
    
    		Aedan.

    NCB BOOM REPAIRED
    It has been confirmed that the problem was in the gooseneck fitting.
    The boom is intact but does have damage at the end fitting. Rothmans
    was duty radio yacht last Friday and after the NCB damage report was
    relayed, the message became distorted into a broken boom press report
    at the weekend.
    Joe English, NCB's skipper has described the problem thus: "On Friday
    at approximately 1100 GMT the goosneck end of the boom broke. The
    problem appears to be the endplate of the boom. The endplate was welded
    to the boom. This weld broke, detaching the plate from the boom and
    also damaged some of the boom section as it tore away".
    Apparently the vang hydraulics were also seriously damaged. Repairs
    took almost 48 hours to execute and were successful enough to provide
    80% of the origional effectiveness. During the downtime the yacht lost
    70 to 80 miles and dropped back to 10th position. They are now dodging
    icebergs with deck temperatures at 0 to -5 degrees. With 30 or 40 knots
    of wind the windchill factor is down to -20 degrees.
    
    At present the fleet is running before a strong westerly airflow
    heading ESE and gradually pushing further south. The two NZ ketches
    have opened up a gap and are match racing ten miles apart! Rothmans is
    in third place 50 miles behind. In fourth position is the French
    lightweight  "Charles Jourdan" making a determined attack on the
    leaders.  Speeds over the last 24 hours for these four have been in the
    order of 14.5 knots.
    
    Argos positions @1537 gmt 12 feb
    
    1.FISHER & PAYKEL  3615 MILES TO GO  AVERAGE SPD 10.7
    2.STEINLAGER  3625  10.7
    3.ROTHMANS  3668  10.5
    4.CHARLES JOURDAN 3673  10.5
    5.MERIT  3682  10.4
    6.UBF  3724  10.2   
    7.MARTELA 3748  10.1
    8.FAZISI  3803  9.8
    9.BELMONT FINLAND 3808  9.8
    10.NCB IRELAND  3815  9.8
    11.BRITISH DEFENDER  3817  9.7
    12.FORTUNA  3823  9.7
    13 GATORADE  3837  9.6
    14.THE CARD  3871  9.5
    15.LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  4009  8.8
    16.EQUITY & LAW  4029  8.7
    17.CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  4062  8.6
    18.WITH INTEGRITY  4143  8.2
    19.L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  4286  7.5
    20.MAIDEN  4364  7.0
    21.SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  4386  7.0
    22.LA POSTE  4425  6.8
    23.RUCANOR SPORT  5584  7.0
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ICE BERG COUNTRY ONCE MORE
    Once more the lead has changed hands, but only between the Kiwis.
    Peter Blake in Steinlager had overtaken F & P by noon yesterday and was
    then leading by 7 miles. Two hours later however, F & P had caught up
    again and both yachts were credited with the same 3,355 miles to the
    finish in Punta del Este.
    Lawrie Smith's Rothmans is back in third place now 75 miles astern of
    the two leaders, having been passed overnight by Charles Jourdan, which
    is again in 4th place, 14 miles astern.  Merit is a further 12 miles
    away and UBF nine miles behind her.
    
    Peter Blake reported last night that he was at 58 degrees south "deep
    into iceberg country. There are a lot of very, very big ones about, we
    can see them up to 12 miles away on radar. We have'nt yet seen, touch
    wood - any of the smaller, dangerous ones, probably its too warm for
    them."
    It was still cold nevertheless, but the weather was fine and they were
    sailing fast in a 20 knot breeze. He also said: "We had to swerve a few
    minutes ago to avoid a whale and we have seen seals and lots of
    albatrosses. As far as I know, there are no problems with anyone in the
    fleet. It all seems to be plain sailing. We have been on our own for a
    few days now, which is how we like it, although we are aware that the
    racing is close."
    Blake has positioned Steinlager roughly halfway between the most 
    northerly and southerly yachts in the leading group. Charles Jourdan
    and UBF are in the north, with F & P (at one time below 60 degrees
    south) and Merit in the south.
    
    Joe English also spoke to race headquarters yesterday and confirmed the
    presence of ice bergs, though in his case they had been seen visually
    and not on radar.
    
    
    Argos positions @ 1717 GMT 13 February
    1. F & P  3328 TO GO  10.8 AVERAGE
    2. STEINLAGER  3338  10.7
    3. ROTHMANS 3399  10.5
    4. MERIT  3427  10.3
    5. CHARLES JOURDAN  3430  10.4
    6. UBF  3430  10.3
    7. MARTELA  3486  10.1
    8. BELMONT FINLAND  3521  9.9
    9. FAZISI  3524  9.9
    10 BRITISH DEFENDER  3541  9.8
    11 NCB IRELAND  3568  9.7
    12 FORTUNA  3605  9.6
    13 THE CARD  3625  9.5
    14 GATORADE  3627  9.5
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  3767  8.9
    16 EQUITY & LAW  3793  8.7
    17 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  3802  8.7
    18 WITH INTEGRITY  3876  8.4
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  4041  7.7
    20 MAIDEN  4130  7.4
    21 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN 4137  7.3
    22 LA POSTE  4203  7.0
    23 RUCANOR SPORT  5512 7.4
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    KIWIS JUGGLE FOR LEAD
    The lead continues to change hands with every pass of the Argos
    sattelite.
    Early yesterday F & P was 8 miles ahead, five hours later Steinlager
    was leading by 13 miles. After a few hours F & P had clawed back 4
    miles.
    These unpredictable changes are due to the two boats relative
    positions. Although both have the same distance to go they are widely
    seperated by latitude and sailing in different wind patterns.
    F & P is still the most southerly in the fleet and was below 60 south
    again yesterday. After easing to the north yesterday Steinlager is
    about 100 miles further north and maintaining a more constant course.
    
    Joe English's report from NCB highlights the treacherous conditions.
    "Right now we are pretty far south and it is getting very cold.
    Temperature on deck is about 1 degree. This morning we passed a large
    ice berg about 5 miles away and just now we have passed an even bigger
    one about five miles to the south. The guys describe them as being as
    tall as a block of flats but covering a greater area.
    The wind has come round to the north we expect it to swing to the west
    and increase soon as there is a front moving in our direction. Over the
    past few days the winds have forced everyone south, pretty soon we
    should level out and maybe even move a little north. The boom repair is
    looking good. Sailing conditions have been mainly reaching so far but
    we expect some heavy running conditions soon judging from weather
    predictions."
    
    At present the rest of the fleet can only chase the leaders until Cape
    Horn, when the ketches may not be so favoured in the South Atlantic.
    Rothmans is the nearest to them, 51 miles behind F & P.
    UBF is 11 miles behind her, then comes Charles Jourdan and Merit.
    Only 150 miles seperate the first six yachts, and there are only 380
    miles between first and last (Liverpool Enterprise) of the 15 maxis in
    Division A.
    
    Argos positions @ 1404 GMT 14 February
    1. Steinlager  3142 to go  10.6 average
    2. Fisher & Paykel  3153  10.6
    3. Rothmans  3204  10.4
    4. UBF  3215  10.3
    5. Charles Jourdan  3282  10.3
    6. Merit  3293  10.1
    7. Martela  3345  9.8
    8. Belmont Finland 3357  9.8
    9. Fazisi  3358  9.8
    10 NCB Ireland  3375  9.7
    11 Fortuna  3386  9.7
    12 British Defender  3400  9.6
    13 The Card  3436  9.5
    14 Gatorade  3448  9.4
    15 Liverpool Enterprise  3525  9.1
    16 Creightons Naturally  3577  9.1
    17 Equity & Law  3598  8.8
    18 With Integrity  3709  8.4
    19 L'esprit de Liberte  3870  7.7
    20 Maiden  3919  7.6
    21 Schlussel von Bremen  3952  7.4
    22 La Poste  4020  7.2
    23 Rucanor Sport  5512  7.4
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

    F&P AHEAD
    For the third day in succession the lead has changed from one NZ ketch
    to the other. At noon yesterday F & P had recovered the lead she lost
    on Wednesday and had opened up a gap of 25 miles on her rival.
    This is the longest lead held for several days, but it remains to be
    seen if it can be maintained.
    As well as loosing distance on F&P, Steinlager is being caught by
    Rothmans which is now only 24 miles astern. It is probably significant
    that F&P is the most southerly yacht in the fleet and has now been
    followed below 60 south by Rothmans.
    
    The Soviet entry Fazisi, is the second most southerly yacht and she,
    too, has benefitted from the apparently better winds there to move
    closer to the leaders, although she is still in eighth place. She was
    also the fastest between Argos passes, making 11.9 knots.
    
    In contrast the most northerly yacht, Charles Jourdan in fifth place,
    was looking sluggish, earlier registering the slowest speed of any of
    the leaders.
    
    NCB Ireland continues to hold her own further back and indeed improved
    her position to ninth place. Her speed made good between Argos passes
    was 11.3 knots. She is also amongst the most southerly group at 60
    degrees south.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @1003 GMT 15 FEBRUARY
    1. FISHER & PAYKEL   2971 TO GO   AVERAGE 10.5
    2. STEINLAGER  2996  10.4
    3. ROTHMANS  3021 10.3
    4. UBF  3058  10.2
    5. MERIT  3089  10.0
    6. CHARLES JOURDAN  3125  10.2
    7. MARTELA  3126  9.9
    8. FAZISI  3135  9.9
    9. NCB IRELAND  3144  9.8
    10.BELMONT FINLAND  3150  9.8
    11 FORTUNA  3166  9.8
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER  3180  9.7
    13 THE CARD  3220  9.6
    14 GATORADE  3231  9.5
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  3311  9.2
    16 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  3418  8.8
    17 EQUITY & LAW  3450  8.7
    18 WITH INTEGRITY  3511  8.5
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  3678  7.9
    20 MAIDEN  3736  7.7
    21 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  3756  7.6
    22 LA POSTE  3857  7.2
    23 RUCANOR SPORT  5304  7.2
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NZ YACHT STILL LEADS
    Positions have remained relatively unchanged among the leaders during
    the last 24 hours. The two NZ ketches continue to head the fleet of 23,
    with Peter Blake in Steinlager leading F & P by 22 miles at noon
    yesterday.
    Rothmans was 71 miles further back, followed by UBF about 29 miles
    astern.
    NCB Ireland has slipped to 11th place over the weekend. On the other
    hand, Fazisi has come up to  8th position. The Soviet yacht went the
    furthest south and on Friday was at 61.43 south.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @ 1759 GMT 18 FEB
    1. STEINLAGER 2001 TO GO AVERAGE 10.9
    2  F & P  2025  10.8
    3. ROTHMANS  2109  10.6
    4. UBF  2151  10.4
    5. MERIT  2160  10.4
    6. MARTELA  2182  10.4
    7.,CHARLES JOURDAN  2266  10.6
    8. FAZISI  2300  10.0
    9. FORTUNA  2326  9.9
    10 BRITISH DEFENDER  2327  9.9
    11 NCB  IRELAND  2350  9.9
    12 GATORADE  2353  9.9
    13 BELMONT FINLAND 2357  9.9
    14 THE CARD  2379  9.8
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  2532  9.4
    16 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY 2629  9.1
    17 EQUITY & LAW  2691  8.9
    18 WITH INTEGRITY  2756  8.7
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  2904  8.3
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  3022  8.0
    21 MAIDEN  3052 7.9
    22 LA POSTE  3179  7.5
    23 RUCANOR SPORT  4606  7.4
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NCB'S PROBLEM CONTINUE TO MAR PROGRESS
    NCB Ireland has suffered a number of breakages in the past few days as
    the fleet battles with atrocious weather conditions. This has affected
    her position and she remains in 12th place. Conditions have also made
    communication difficult. Last Thursday NCB broke a main winch and had
    to alter course to effect repairs.
    With 1000 miles to go to the Horn, over the weekend they lost their
    second spinnaker and have had difficulties with wind instruments
    following the gooseneck breakage 11 days ago.
    Project officials expressed themselves "very unhappy" yesterday about
    the performance of the boom which was manufactured by the British
    company Sparcraft, who are acknowledged to be among the world's leading
    rigmakers. Joe English has blamed poor workmanship on the fracture of
    the boom end plate on February 9th in decidedly moderate winds of 20
    knots.
    Referring to this English said: "The end plate was only butt-welded to
    the internal fabrication. This fabrication was five millimetre plate
    and the end plate is 10 millimetres. The weld penetration is very
    poor."
    Des Burke-Kennedy, a member of the Sail Ireland Trust said yesterday:
    "We have been in regular contact with Sparcraft concerning the boom
    since the first break occurred. It is a most unhappy situation and one
    which will require a thorough investigation when the race is
    completed."
    Sparcraft repaired the boom in Fremantle and it broke again on the
    third leg to Auckland. A strengthened replacement was then fitted and
    it was an element of that unit which again proved faulty when the end
    plate snapped 1500 miles out from Auckland with NCB in eighth position.
    She is now lying twelfth and had these breakages not occured NCB
    reckons they would be four or possibly six places better overall.
    
    Meanwhile conditions over the weekend were so severe as to cause the
    wind instruments on the top of the mast to be flicked off by the
    bending movement of the spar. On Saturday crew member Peter Warren went
    aloft and replaced the wind gear.
    
    The general feeling at Sail Ireland is that the crew have performed
    magnificently under trying circumstances. The quality of their repair
    work at sea has been exemplary and morale remains high.
    
    Meanwhile after several days of fairly uneventful sailing, the relative
    calm aboard Maiden was shattered early yesterday morning. While
    close-reaching in 35 to 40 knots of wind, a particularly awkward wave
    smashed across the yacht, injuring helmswoman Michele Paret and
    breaking one of the two steering wheels.
    Water poured into the 58 foot yacht, flooding the generator and
    temporarily putting it out of action. Michele, a 35 year old French
    woman, was bent backwards from the force of the water and is now
    confined to her bunk with an injured spine. Claire Russell, the ship's
    doctor, will consult other doctors in the fleet about suitable
    treatment, but hopes that a few days rest will will ease the pain in
    Michele's legs and one of her arms.
    Maiden was eventually pumped dry, but Tracy Edwards says the mess below
    will take several days to clear up. The generator is now dried out and
    radio communication restored. The steering wheel is badly damaged and
    will have to be replaced in Uruguay.
    
    At the head of the fleet the two NZ ketches are within 600 miles of the
    Horn and one or other of them seems certain to be the first around. At
    noon yesterday Steinlager was still 27 miles ahead of F & P.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LEADER DUE AT THE HORN TODAY
    The leaders were about 300 miles from the Horn at noon yesterday and
    should round it sometime today. Steinlager is still favourite to do
    this having retained her 20 mile lead on F & P during the past 24
    hours.
    Roughly 100 miles behind them is a closely matched group of five yachts
    which have hardly changed their relative positions during the past few
    days. Rothmans leads UBF by 18 miles, with Charles Jourdan somewhere
    between them. Merit is 23 miles astern of UBF with Martela another 17
    miles astern.
    
    Argos positions at 1334 GMT 20 February
    1. STEINLAGER  1605 TO GO  AVERAGE 10.7
    2. F & P 1626  10.6
    3. ROTHMANS  1720 10.4
    4. UBF  1738  10.3
    5. MERIT  1761  10.3
    6. MARTELA  1778  10.2
    7. CHARLES JOURDAN 1835  10.4
    8. FAZISI  1922  9.9
    9. BELMONT FINLAND  1931  9.8
    10 THE CARD  1945  9.8
    11 NCB IRELAND  1952  9.8
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER  1953  8.8
    13 FORTUNA  1954  9.8
    14 GATORADE  1965  9.8
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  2153  9.4
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom

    There are no specific details available today but from the Argos
    position report it indicates that NCB recovered to ninth position
    yesterday and actually was sailing the fastest at 13.7 knots between
    sattelite passes.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @1200 GMT 21 FEBRUARY
    1. STEINLAGER  1362 TO GO  AVERAGE 1O.6
    2. F & P 1412  10.6
    3. ROTHMANS  1425  10.5
    4. CHARLES JOURDAN  1426  10.5
    5. UBF  1441  10.4
    6. MARTELA  1482  10.3
    7. MERIT  1590  10.3
    8. BELMONT FINLAND  1672  9.9
    9. NCB IRELAND  1682  9.9
    10 THE CARD 1688  9.9
    11 FAZISI  1689  9.9
    12 GATORADE  1698  9.9
    13 BRITISH DEFENDER  1715  9.8
    14 FORTUNA  1738  9.7
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ARGOS POSITIONS @1639 GMT 22 FEB
    
    1.STEINLAGER  1118 TO GO   10.5 AVERAGE
    2.F &P  1132  10.6
    3. ROTHMANS  1200  10.4
    4. MERIT  1221  10.3
    5. UBF  1224  10.3
    6. MARTELA  1225  10.3
    7. CHARLES JOURDAN  1232  10.3
    8. BELMONT FINLAND  1347  10.0
    9. THE CARD  1362  1O.O
    10 FAZISI  1365  10.0
    11 NCB IRELAND 1365  10.0
    12 GATORADE  1370  10.0
    13 BRITISH DEFENDER  1381  10.0
    14 FORTUNA  1391  10.0
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  1594  9.5
    16 EQUITY & LAW  1677  9.3
    17 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  1678  9.3
    18 WITH INTEGRITY  1822  8.9
    19 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  1958  8.6
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  2105  8.3
    21 MAIDEN  2113  8.3
    22 LA POSTE  2322  7.8
    23 RUCANOR SPORT 3963  8.3
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    P.S. I will be away from the plant for most of next week, this will
    probably include the finish of this leg. I have asked Marcel Spenkelink
    to try and give you your daily dosage to avoid early withdrawal
    symptoms!!
    

    
    Tom will be out of the office this week. Therefore I have accepted to
    ensure continuity in the Whitbread reporting.
    
    New Zealand ketches set to lead into Uruguay
    ============================================
    
    It still seems unlikely that any other yacht can beat or even separate
    the two New Zealand ketches into Punta del Este at the end of the 4th
    leg. At mid-day yesterday Peter Blake in Steinlager 2 was just 9 Miles
    ahead over F&P with just over 400 miles to go to the finish.
    
    In the third place, 89 miles astern, is Rothmans (Laurie Smith - GB)
    followed by Merit (Pierre Fehlman - Switz), Charles Jourdan (Alain
    Gabbay, France) and Union Bank of Finland (Ludde Ingvall), with only
    70 miles between them.The first seven yachts are all expected to finish
    the leg tomorrow and the British Telecom computer is predicting
    Steinlager to be the first to cross the line at 0300 GMT
    
    In his report to race headquarters in Portsmouth on Saturday, Jacopo
    Marchi, co-skipper of the Italian maxi Gatorade, placed 10th in the
    fleet of 23, said that all the division A yachts were now out of the
    Falklands' low pressure area and the wind had increased to 63 knots.
    He reported that the Soviet entry Fazisi, skippered by Skip Novak and
    lying 14th, had blown out her mainsail and was having to use a headsail
    up her mast as a main, while her mainsail is being repaired. Belmont
    Finland II (Harry Harkimo) also has a rigging or a sail problem and is
    unable to reef the mainsail. Marchi closed his report thus: "Here we
    have now clear, sunny sky and warm temperature. Drying boat, clothes,
    body and mind. Everything OK !"
    
    Oops ! Since last night there is a terrible storm poundering the coast
    of Ireland. Our plant is pretty much exposed since it's fairly high 
    upon a hill. Management has just decided to let us all go home for the
    day  (11:00 AM) because they're not sure wether the roof will hold.
    
    I'll continue my report from home.
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

    
    
    All but 4 of the fleet are now round Cape Hornand entering their last
    stage of this 6,200 mile leg.The next yacht to reach the Cape should be
    Maiden (Tracy Edwards). They were due at about 14:00 GMT yesterday and
    are still in second place in Division D, 76 miles astern of Esprit de
    Liberte (Patrick Tabarly, Fr)
    
    Maiden is now 11 hours behind Esprit on elapsed time for this leg, but
    is still 5 hours ahead of the French yacht on combined time. Schlussel
    von Bremen (Reiner Persch, Gy) is 18 miles astern of Maiden with La
    Poste (Daniel Malle, Fr) 290 miles astern of her. Last of all and still
    1,800 miles away from the Cape is Rucanor Sport (Bruno Dubois, Belgium)
    
    Early yesterday morning Dubois spoke to both his sponsor and the race
    office in Punta del Este to confirm his position - the yacht has no
    Argos beacon - and to say that all was well on board. They have been
    sailing in very strong winds the past few days, it was 40 to 50 knots
    from astern yesterday and yesterday the yacht covered 276 miles in her
    noon to noon run. On the same leg in the previous race for years ago,
    her best days' run was 278 miles.
    
    Both Blake and Dalton also spoke to Punta yesterday, Blake saying that
    Steinlager was then sailing in a 15 knot easterly breeze and that he
    could see Fisher and Paykel 10 miles astern on his radar. At a slightly
    different time, Dalton gave his windspeed as 16 knots. He said there
    was often little wind in the mornings, then a see breeze tended to
    build up later in the day.
    
    Leg 4 positions 
    ---------------
    
    Yacht			      Miles to    Average
    Name			       Finish	   Speed
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    
     1.	Steinlager  	  	  	413	    10.5
     2. Fisher & Paykel           	423	    10.4
     3. Rothmans                  	509         10.3
     4.	Charles Jourdan		 	648         10.3
     5.	Merit			  	538	    10.2
     6.	Martella 		  	551	    10.2
     7. Union Bank of Finland	  	581	    10.1
     8. The Card		  	703	     9.9
     9.	NCB Ireland		  	714	     9.9
    10.	Gatorade		  	721	     9.0
    11.	Belmont Finland II	  	723	     9.9
    12.	British Satquote Defender 	723	     9.8
    13. Fortuna Extra Light	  	760	     9.8
    14.	Fasizi			  	774	     9.8
    15. Liverpool Enterprise	  	919          9.5
    16. Equity and Law II	      1,004	     9.3
    17. Creightons Naturally	      1,114	     9.4
    18. With Integrity		      1,191	     9.0
    19. L'Esprit de Liberte	      1,306          8.7
    20. Maiden			      1,380	     8.6
    21. Schlussel von Bremen	      1,398          8.6
    22. La Poste		      1,709	     8.0
    23. Rucanor Sport                 3,142	     8.6
    
    * Positions taken at 16:18 GMT yesterday using CLS Argos 
    
    After last night's 90+ miles gusts, the storm has slowed down to 60-70
    miles, still pretty nasty. Looking out of my apartment over Galway Bay,
    I can't realy say it looks very inviting, better times are on their way
    though. Anyway, launching day isn't untill April, so not to worry (yet)
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

    
    Hi there ,
    	It was reported here this morning that martella OF had lost it's
    keel at about midnight nz time (GMT+13hrs) and had turned upside
    down,the 16 crew where all picked up by Merit and Charles Jordan
    safely.It was also reported that the boat had started taking water so
    they put a diver over the side, he reported that the keel had seperated
    from the hull by 5cm, race headquaters in punta had the full crew on
    deck with an hourly report on positon being required it was during one
    of these reports that the keel finally parted company and they only had
    reported the longitude , Merit and Charles Jordan arrived on site to
    find the crew on the upturned hull and took them off and are now on
    their way to punta .It was also reported that Martella OF had had the
    keel repaired in punta before continuing into the southern ocean.
    	Meanwhile at the front of the fleet steinlager beat fisher + paykel
    by 21 mins.

    	 Skipper Mara Wiikeri of Martela is reported to have made 
         unprintable satetements after boarding Merit leaving his 
         capsized yacht.

    	 The problem with the keel revealed itself for the first time 
         (during this leg) on Sunday through noice coming from the 
         keel bolts working their way down. A dive under the yacht 
         confirmed that the keel was about one centimeter off. A 
         subsequent dive later on showed that this had grown to five 
         centimeters. By this time all crew were ordered on deck ready 
         to leave the yacht.
 
    	 The capsize was over in 15 seconds with all but the skipper 
         and the co-skipper/radio-operator on deck. Wiikeri and 
         Kairamo managed to get out through the hatch. No inflatable 
         was launched as all could get onto the upside turned hull 
         were the 16 crew waited for four hours to be rescued by 
         Merit, which at the time of the capsize laid some 76 miles 
         ahead. Six crew members of Martela went over to Charles 
         Jourdan, which arrived at the same time to the scene.

    	 At the end of the first leg Martela hit a submerged oil-pipe 
         in the harbour of Punta del Este. This caused the keel to 
         loosen some centimeters. While effecting the repairs of this 
         in Punta del Este it could be seen that the keel supporting 
         structure was not build according to the design. The 
         structure was thus also corrected to best effort. These 
         reapirs were approved by Lloyds insurers. The keel fastening 
         was then thoroughly inspected in Fremantle and Auckland 
         without any defects noticed. The hard beating at the Horn 
         proved to be too big a strain for this obviously defect 
         construction. 

    	 This is what I could read in the Finnish morning paper.  
    	 - kaj

    
    My source of information had nothing more on the Martella story than
    what has been reported in .195 and .196, so here's the story for the
    rest of the fleet:
    
    For the other yachts, the race goes on with Steinlager looking ever
    more likely to add another first place to the three already won on the
    first three legs. At midday yesterday Steinlager had increased her lead
    from Grant Dalton in the other Kiwi ketch, Fisher & Paykel to 76 miles,
    with only 132 miles to go to the finish. She should have crossed the
    line last night or early this morning with F & P following about six
    hours later.
    
    Argos positions 26-FEB-90 12:00 noon
    ------------------------------------
    
    Pos   Yacht				     Miles to         Average
          Name				      Finish	       Speed
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     1. Steinlager 2				132		10.5
     2. Fisher & Paykel				208             10.5
     3. Rothmans				274		10.3
     4. Merit					299		10.2
     5. Charles Jourdan				360		10.1
     6. Martella OF				384		10.2
     7. Union Bank of Finland			396		10.0
     8. The Card				547		 9.8
     9. Gatorade				549		 9.8
    10. NCB Ireland				553		 9.7
    11. Belmont Finland II			563		 9.7
    12. British Satquote Defender		569		 9.7
    13. Fortuna Extra Lights			575		 9.7
    14. Fasizi					591		 9.7
    15. Liverpool Enterprise			733		 9.4
    16. Creightons Naturally			821		 9.3
    17. Equity & Law II				919		 9.3
    18. With Integrity			      1,059		 8.8
    19. L'Esprit de Liberte		      1,125		 8.7
    20. Schlussel von Bremen		      1,224		 8.5
    21. Maiden				      1,245		 8.5
    22. La Poste			      1,513		 8.0
    23. Rucanor Sport			      2,894		 5.5
    
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

    re .196
    
    Merit must be pretty fast if she covered 76 miles in four hours! ;^)
    
    This also highlights that "built (or repaired) to Lloyd's
    Specifications" is a fairly hollow phrase.
    
    Dave

    It will be interesting to see what comes of all of the various
    equipment failures once the dust begins to settle.  Any word on what
    will happen to the capsized yacht?  Will it be scuttled or will there
    be a salvage attempt ala Drum in the last race?  Thanks all for keeping
    up the updates!  I just picked up Sail and as said earlier, the
    reporting here has been superior.  Still avidly following the results
    here in the Mill. 
    
    Brian

    
    Joe English reports a good fight
    --------------------------------
    
    NCB Ireland, expected in Punta del Este tonight at the finish of the
    fourth leg, reported having a close tussle with the yachts nearest her.
    
    In a telex to Dublin yesterday English reported: "We are now 545 miles
    from Punta and sailing in company with the Card, Belmont and Gatorade.
    There is a gap of about 150 miles to the fleet ahead but we are having
    a good fight back here."
    "We had some hard sailing conditions before we got to Cape Horn with a
    lot of heavy air, reaching in rough conditions and at times we had in
    access of 50 knots. Approaching Cape Horn the wind eased and we went
    around the Horn in company with Fasizi. the Card was a few miles ahead
    and Gatorade about five behind."
    "The conditions when we rounded there were surprisingly mild, the sun
    was shining, infact it was like a summer's day at home. In many ways to
    go around there in these conditions belittled the fearsome reputation
    of Cape Horn. We rounded her at 13:30 GMT on the 22th."
    "However, within 24 hours we were beam reaching in winds of up to 55
    knots. By today the wind had decreased and this afternoon we were
    becalmed for a few hours. We now have a good race with the yachts near
    us for the rest of the leg."
    
    Meanwhile, Steinlager was first to finish at Punta del Este, finishtime
    being 20:41:54 GMT on Monday night, to win the Division A trophy for
    the fourth time.
    
    Second to finish, just 21 minutes and 17 seconds later after racing for
    6,255 miles and spending nearly 23 days at sea, was Fisher & Paykel.
    
    In third place, improving by one place on her performance of the
    previous leg, came Rothmans. She crossed the line at 09:00:12 GMT
    yesterday, nearly 12 hours behind F & P and slipping still farther
    behind Steinlager on combined time for the race sofar.
    
    At a press conference after the finish Blake told of the intense
    competition between Steinlager and F & P. We were at Cape Horn, which
    is 4,500 miles from New Zealand; a long, long way. Yet there, just 4
    miles away in the mist, was Fischer & Paykel. 
    Coming north up the Argentine coast we were only 200 meters apart for
    maybe 2 days. To finish only 20 minutes apart shows just how close the
    racing now is between the yachts.
    Before the start of this led, Steinlager had a lead of 14 hours from
    Merit, the Swiss sloop of Pierre Fehlmann, on combined elapsed time for
    the three previous legs, with Fisher and Paykel laying third, nearly 20
    miles behind Merit. However, the Swiss yacht had already lost much of
    this time advantage over F&P before she became involved in the rescue
    of the crew of the capsized Martella OF and she finished the lef 5th.
    Fehlmann will almost certainly ask for redresson his finishing time to
    compensate for the time lost during the rescue.
    
      Yacht				Finish	      Average
      Name                               Time          Speed
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    
     1. Steinlager 2			20:41:54	10.6
     2. Fisher and Paykel NZ		21:03:12	10.6
     3. Rothmans			09:00:12	10.4
     4. Charles Jourdan			17:48:06	10.2
     5. Merit				18:38:33	10.2
    
    Positions other yachts at 19:01 GMT 27-Feb-90
    
      Yacht                            Miles to      Average
      Name                              Finish        Speed
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    
     6. Union Bank of Finland		 55	       10.1
     7. Gatorade			265		9.7
     8. The Card			267		9.7
     9. NCB Ireland			324		9.6
    10. Martela OF			339		9.6
    11. Belmont Finland II		350		9.6
    12. Fortuna Ultra Lights		357		9.6
    13. Fazisi				386		9.5
    14. Liverpool Enterprise		508		9.3
    15. British Satquote Defender	519		9.6
    16. Creighton's Naturally		587		9.2
    17. Equity & Law II			603		9.2
    18. With Integrity			886		8.7
    19. L'Esprit de Liberte		909		8.6
    20. Schlussel von Bremen	      1,030		8.4
    21. Maiden			      1,083		8.3
    22. La Poste		      1,286		8.0
    23. Rucanor			      2,661		8.3
    
    I am not entirely sure why they (The Irish Times) have Martela OF still
    in the list and why she would be in this position. I will try and get
    some explanation somewhere, maybe one of the readers understands this 
    better than I do.
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

re .198 Merit must be pretty fast if she covered 76 miles in four hours! ;^)
    
	She was fast to come to the scene - would you beleive 46 miles in
	for hours :-).

>    This also highlights that "built (or repaired) to Lloyd's
>    Specifications" is a fairly hollow phrase.
 
	The problem seems to be that the original design, by German Frers,
	was changed and then the keel was not built even to altered
	design. The keelbolts were not properly fastened to the
	steel support embedded in the lead.
		
	Now, when things like this happens, a lot of explanations start
	to fly around on who's resonsible. The Martela builders, Baltic
	Yachts of Finland explains that a German subcontractor built the
	keel not conforming to the design and specifications.  
   
re .200

	Martela is still floating and drifting with a speed of � a knot and
	the Argos system supposedly gives her position accurately.       	
	
	- kaj

    Baltic has a great and well deserved reputation and I'm sure they are
    mortified by the events with Martela.  My comment was in reference to
    Lloyd's approving the repairs in Punta made when it was first found
    that the keel wasn't built to specs.  It wouldn't surprise me if Mr.
    Wiikeri took a flight straight to Germany to express in a personal way
    his disappointment with the keel manufacturer.
    
    The fact that there were no injuries or loss of life speaks greatly of
    the seamanship of those involved in this race.
    
    Dave  

    Just a little point. An earlier noter mentioned salvaging Martela
    "like Drum in the last race".
    
    Drum did not capsize in the Whitbread, but in the 1985 Fastnet,
    only a mile or two offshore. Defective welding of the keel box was the
    cause and the designer ( Ron Holland, who also designed NCB ) was
    cleared of any responsibilty.
    
    Chris
    

re .202:

>>>    The fact that there were no injuries or loss of life speaks greatly of
>>>    the seamanship of those involved in this race.
    
It speaks even more greatly of incredibly good luck. This could have 
just as well happened during a fifty knot storm, in which case there'd 
probably be another addition to the list of vessels gone missing with 
all hands, never to be seen again.

    re -.1
    
    Touche'
    
    Dave

    
    
    Martela skipper tells about turning turtle
    ------------------------------------------
    
    All three yachts involved in the rescue of the crew of Martela OF have
    arrived in Punta del Este within a few hours of eachother. First to
    arrive by 17:48 GMT on Tuesday was Charles Jourdan (Alain Gabbay, F).
    
    She was followed 50 minutes later by Merit (Pierre Fehlmann, Ch) which
    had started out from the scene of the rescue at much the same time. One
    hour and 26 minutes later Ludde Ingvall's Union Bank of Finland became
    the sixth yacht to complete the 6,200 miles leg.
    
    At a subsequent press conference, Markku Wiikeri, the skipper of
    Martela OF, first praised the three skippers involved and the race
    committee for their prompt and efficient rescue. Describing the
    incident itself, he said that "on the night of the 23rd we were about 5
    miles behind Merit, beam reaching in about 25 knots of wind. We slammed
    into a big wave and suddenly the speedometer read zero."
    "At first we thought there was something wrong with the speedometer,
    but during the night we realised that there was possibly something
    wrong with the keel. We had had problems with the keel during the first
    leg of the race (also to Punta del Este)"
    
    "First thing in the morning a diver checked the keel and reported it
    was a little bit loose. We knew the problem because it was the same as
    during the first leg. We decided to keep sailing because the wind was
    very light and when the boat wasn't sailing, we could feel and hear the
    keel moving. When there was some pressure on the sails, the keel didn't
    move and it felt safer to continue sailing. We hoped the light winds
    would continue for the rest of the leg."
    
    "Four hours after the speedo stopped we started to expect serious
    problems. We immediately put all liferafts, emergency equipment and
    crew on deck. So we were quite well prepared. We didn't know how
    serious it was and we sailed for 5 days in the first leg with a similar
    problem."
    
    Talking of the repair that was made in Montevideo after the first leg,
    Wiikeri said that they had discovered that it was a construction
    problem, not a design fault. :I'm not an expert on design or repair of
    keels, but I think that the repair was properly done here last time.
    There was a problem with the keel construction, it wasn't manufactured
    to the drawings./ Martela OF was designed by an Argentine, German Frers
    and built in Finland.
    
    When the keel dropped off, the yacht's mast hit the water very quickly
    - 5 secs was the estimate - and it took a further 10 secs for the hull
    to fully invert. Two of the crew were inside the hull at the time, one
    escaped through the fire hatch, the other through the main hatch. Only
    four of the crew got wet, te rest clung to the lifelines and clambered
    over the side of the hull as it inverted.
    
    Only one in four of the liferafts inflated succesfully, the rest was
    trapped beneath the hull. The Argos emergency facilitywas activated and
    the crew waited on the upturned hull for four hours before they were
    rescued. When asked about plans for recovery of the yacht, Wiikeri
    confirmed that it was still floating and that there were plans to
    salvage and rebuild her.
    
    NCB Ireland is the bnext yacht due to arrive. Holding her current speed
    she was due in port early this morning followed by Belmont Finland and
    Fortuna Extra Lights - the latter pair only 2 miles apart on
    yesterday's satelite pass.
    
       Yacht				Miles to		Average
       Name                              Finish                  Speed
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     1. Steinlager 2			Finished
     2. Fisher & Paykel			Finished
     3. Rothmans			Finished
     4. Charles Jourdan			Finished
     5. Merit				Finished
     6. Union Bank of Finland		Finished
     7. Gatorade			Finished
     8. The Card			Finished
    
     9. NCB Ireland			  12			9.7
    10. Belmont Finland			 143			9.6
    11. Fortuna Extra Lights		 145			9.6
    12. Fasizi				 193			9.6
    13. British Satquote Defender	 276			9.6
    14. Liverpool Enterprize		 322			9.3
    15. Martela OF			 342			9.3
    16. Creighton's Naturally		 447			9.1
    17. Equity & Law			 493			9.1
    18. With Integrity			 784			8.5
    19. L'Esprit de Liberte		 830			8.5
    20. Schlussel von Bremen		 889			8.4
    21. Maiden				 974			8.2
    22. La Poste			1259			8.0
    23. Rucanor				2436			5.8
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

Re .202

    	The controversy is there:

    	German Frers, the designer puts the blame on the German 
        keelbuilder Speedwave and frees Baltic. "Baltic Yachts built 
        Wiikeri's boat according to the design and they had no knowledge 
        that the keel was not manufactured according to the original 
        design". Frers says taht it is almost impossible for the designer 
        to verify wether the work is according to the design. "I don't 
        know why the Germans changed the design. Maybe they wanted to use 
        some other material".

    	The keel manufacturer disclaims any responsibility beacuse they 
        did not participate in the repairs in Punta del Este after the 
        first leg. The rapairs was done locally as the Speedwave people 
        did not arrive in time to make the repairs. "They approved the 
        repairs, but they were more worried about the bill", says Micki 
        Berner, the Martela project manager. Berner does not free Baltic 
        from responsibility. "It is clear that the Germans changed the 
        keel construction, but Wiikeri bought the boat from Baltic and 
        the company is responsible for what they sell. Baltic has to make 
        it up themselves with their subcontractor".

    	Baltic disclaims Berners responsibility statement. They want to 
        put the blame on the accident where Martela hit the oil-pipe and 
        the keel was coming off in firts place.

    	The boat is insured for close to 4 million USD in a Finnish 
        company and reinsured in Lloyds. As mentioned, Lloyds approved 
        the repairs on the keel in Punta del Este. Then I don't think 
        that approved is at all the same as "built to Lloyd's 
        specifications". Should that be discussed in a separate topic?

re .204 
    	Agree totally - these Martela guys were extremely lucky - but also very,
	very unlucky.  

    	- kaj	 

    NCB AND SIX OTHER YACHTS CROSS LINE
    Another seven yachts, including NCB Ireland, crossed the finishing line
    in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
    Of the two other yachts in maxi Class A, Liverpool Enterprise was
    expected to finish late yesterday and Martela was still floating upside
    down off the coast of Argentina after capsizing on Monday last.
    
    Three of the most recent arrivals finished late on Wednesday: Gatorade,
    The Card and NCB Ireland. They were followed in the early hours of
    yesterday  morning by Belmont Finland, Fortuna, British Defender, and
    Fazisi.
    There were only 42 minutes between NCB, Belmont Finland, Fortuna and
    British Defender, after these four yachts had a highly competitive last
    day at sea.
    
    Joe English reported that the last leg was not as heavy as expected,
    but was tiring nonetheless because of the high proportion of reaching.
    "Even the notorious Cape Horn was like a summer's day in Ireland," he
    said. At the time they rounded NCB was only 10 boats lengths behind
    Fazisi, with The Card four miles ahead and Belmont 15 miles ahead.
    Fazisi and Belmont were subsequently overtaken after a spell of heavy
    weather reaching in 54 knots of breeze, conditions which seem to suit
    the Irish yacht.
    
    English also reported that repairs to the boom which broke earlier on
    this leg were successful and were becoming routine.
    
    Harry Harkimo of Belmont Finland said that the Southern Ocean this time
    was "nothing like the travel brochures", and in mainly light reaching
    winds he had hardly used a spinnaker.  ( Judging conditions over the
    past few weeks all the Southern Ocean gales are right here on the west
    coast of Ireland!!!)
    On reflection, Harkimo said that although this was his third time
    around the Horn, it was the worst Southern Ocean leg he had ever had.
    He summed up his feelings by saying, "I hope that I never have to go
    back there again."
    He thought that the biggest mistake they had made aboard Belmont was
    off the Falkland Islands, when they were beating in light airs in close
    company with Gatorade and NCB and The Card. Faced with a situation in
    which they were making only 0.2 knots towards the finish, they tacked
    in order  to make their SMG 4 knots. This meant splitting away from the
    others, and unfortunately for them, the others got a new wind first and
    Belmont was left well behind.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @1457 GMT 1 MARCH
    
    1.STEINLAGER
    2. F & P
    3. ROTHMANS
    4. CHARLES JOURDAN
    5. MERIT
    6. UBF
    7. GATORADE
    8. THE CARD
    9. NCB IRELAND
    10 BELMONT FINLAND
    11.FORTUNA
    12 BRITISH DEFENDER
    13 FAZISI
    
    STILL TO FINISH
    14 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE 97 TO GO AVERAGE 9.3
    15 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY 323  9.0
    16 MARTELA  (DRIFITING CAPSIZED)  341  8.9
    17 EQUITY & LAW  396  9.0
    18 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  649  8.4
    19 WITH INTEGRITY  667  8.4
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  707  8.3
    21 MAIDEN  872  8.1
    22 LA POSTE  965  7.9
    23 RUCANOR SPORT  2436  8.5
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    17 

    I assume that the list in prevous reply describes in wich order
    the yachts crossed the line in Punta. Does anyone have a list
    of corrected time allready, or is there problems because of
    the rescue some yachts took part in ?
    
    	Reg Joel   DRO Sweden.

    Ref .209
    Yes the list in .208 was in finishing order. Unfortunately, I have not
    been able to get the final list or corrected times.
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Does anyone know what bands, frequencies, and times one might be able
    to listen in on the live race reports as they are transmitted from the
    boats. Are they using standard marine SSB equipment to Xmit?

    Thanks,
    Bill

    Since the fleet arrived in Uruguay my source of information has
    completely dried up and I have been unable to give you any news.
    My sailing interest in the meanwhile has been turned to beginning the
    refit of my own boat. Winter gales here on the West coast of Ireland
    have been incessant and time is becoming short. Our club lift in is
    scheduled to take place on April 21st. Thankfully, my own winter
    project of constructing a teak cockpit grating is almost complete, I
    would'nt want to rush into making another one!!
    
    Tomorrow is St Patrick's day and Leg 5 will start in Punta del Este,
    hopefully by early next week the news will begin to flow again.
    
    LEG 5
    Course: Punta del Este to Fort Lauderdale, USA. 5,475 miles.
    ETA 13 to 21 April.
    The fifth leg will be one of the most interesting. The start sets them
    off against the prevailing breeze, and once again it is a choice of the
    inshore track or offshore. This time there is a current against them,
    perhaps making the inshore course more favoured.
    In previous Whitbread's there was an incentive to get as far East as
    possible, to arrive into the North Atlantic to the East of the Azores
    High. This time there is no such requirement, so the fleet will skirt
    the the eastern corner of Brazil, and into the Doldrums again. Here it
    will be particularly tantalising because as soon as the yachts get
    through there is a clear run to Fort Lauderdale, with the Southeast
    Trades, sunshine, flying fish and the knowledge that the worst is
    behind them.
    The trip through the West Indies and Bahamas will be the best fun since
    the fleet will be sailing amongst the charter yachts, fishing boats and
    commercial sailors who ply the Carribean. The scenery will be
    spectacular with every island they pass.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Any news on Martela?  Did they recover her successfully?  

    With reference to .213 I have no info. I assume she is still out there
    awaiting a caring owner!
    
    At the start of the fifth leg on Saturday Rothmans led the fleet over
    the line. Three hours into the race NCB Ireland was lying second.
    After a down wind start NCB was in seventh place rounding the leeward
    mark about a mile and a half from the starting line. Around the mark
    she improved in a light force three headwind. Race leader Steinlager
    was amongst the boats overhauled by NCB. The French yacht Charles
    Jourdan was recalled for being over the line early.
    Going to windward in relatively flat water suited NCB, Joe English
    commented, "it would be wonderful if these conditions lasted all the
    way to Florida, but that is unlikely."
    
    By Monday Steinlager was again in her customary number one slot and it
    was "business as usual". At midday yesterday she was 4 miles ahead of
    The Card with F&P in third place. Merit was fourth followed by British
    Defender and Rothmans in sixth place. Only 21 miles seperate the first
    seven yachts. During the first night at sea squally conditions were
    reported with periods of heavy rain.
    Several boats have run into calms and the fluky conditions are throwing
    up some unusual placings.
    About 60 miles astern of the main group was La Poste in 20 knots of
    wind under spinnaker. Maiden was thought to be about eight miles ahead
    of her.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Although there were several changes astern of her, Steinlager skippered
    by Peter Blake, appears to be unaffected by the vagaries of the weather
    during the early stages of Leg 5.
    The big NZ ketch increased her lead yesterday to 17 miles, with both
    F&P and Merit overtaking The Card , which had been in second place
    overnight. F&P and Merit were only 1 mile apart at midday, with The
    Card six miles astern, 11 miles ahead of British Defender. NCB Ireland
    is in 11 th position.
    The hull of Martela, which capsized three weeks ago during the final
    stages of the previous leg, has finally been towed into Montevideo.
    She has been righted and her salvagers were hoping to lift her out of
    the water today.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ARGOS POSITIONS @ 1331 21 MARCH
    1.F & P 4492 MILES TO GO
    2.MERIT  4496
    3.THE CARD  4506
    4. BRITISH DEFENDER 4514
    5. STEINLAGER 4515
    6  CHARLES JOURDAN 4515
    7  UBF  4518
    8  ROTHMANS  4537
    9  GATORADE 4539
    10 BELMONT FINLAND 4544
    11 FORTUNA  4564
    12 NCB  4581
    13 FAZISI 4592
    14 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY 4626
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE 4629
    16 EQUITY & LAW 4634
    17 RUCANOR SPORT 4660
    18 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE 4662
    19 MAIDEN  4724
    20 WITH INTEGRITY 4735
    21 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  4750
    22 LA POSTE  4759
    
    REGARDS
    TOM
    

    NCB IN 4TH PLACE AS BRITISH TAKE LEAD
    It was a day of changes yesterday with the British sloop Rothmans going
    ahead of Steinlager and NCB moving up to fourth place.
    Laurie Smith's tactic of going further west than any of the 22 yachts
    is beginning to look like a positive move.
    Initially, Rothmans was well behind the leaders, but she steadily
    gained during the past three days and at midday yesterday was about 75
    miles ahead of Steinlager.
    Steinlager is now having to defend herself from F&P, Merit, NCB and
    UBF.
    
    Argos positions @1337 GMT 25 March
    
    1. Rothmans  3678 to go 
    2. F & P  3761
    3  Merit  3769
    4  NCB Ireland 3807
    5  UBF     3809
    6  Steinlager  3812
    7  Belmont Finland 3827
    8  The card  3829
    9  British Defender
    10 Fortuna
    11 Gatorade
    12 Charles Jourdan
    13 Fazisi
    14 Liverpool Enterprise
    15 Creightons Naturally
    16 L'esprit de Liberte
    17 Rucanor Sport
    18 Equity & Law
    19 Maiden
    20 Schlussel von Bremen
    21 La Poste
    22 With Integrity
    
    This weekend's sports report on TV here in Ireland included coverage of
    the start of leg five. It included a beautiful shot of Martela upside
    down with her crew sitting on the bottom awaiting rescue, the sea was
    obviously quite calm and weather was sunny with good visibility.
    The crew of NCB were sporting green warpaint for the St Patrick's day
    start.
    NCB was obviously a performer in the beating conditions (Typical of a
    Ron Holland design) She clawed her way to second place quickly, but
    during the first night the beat became a reach and her position started
    to drop.
    It happened again last Thursday when an unexpected weather front
    delivered a 20 knot headwind to NCB, ignoring most of the rest of the
    fleet. NCB revelled in the beat and made the days fastest run, 129
    miles in 12 hours compared to Steinlager's 73, 85 for Merit and
    Rothman's 109. But the wind freed onto a reach once more and the others
    accelerated away.
    
    The Round Ireland race is becoming a prestige event and has gone from
    strenght to strength. The fleet this year is likely to top 100
    competitors even with out the maxis. The record is held by Denis
    Doyle's Moonduster a fifty footer which completed to 704 mile course in
    three days. Latest to enter is Merit which has been chartered to
    Guiness Peat Aviation and will be skippered by Colm Barrington.
    Drum will again compete, also making the circuit will be Rothmans, NCB,
    the Russian Fazisi, Fisher & Paykel and The Card. Liverpool Enterprise
    is also likely to compete.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    
    
    CLS Argos positions March 26th, 1990 @ 10:59 GMT
    ------------------------------------------------
    
    
        Yacht                 Miles to        Average
                               Finish          Speed
    -------------------------------------------------
    
     1. Rothmans		3,460		9.1
     2. Steinlager		3,539		8.7
     3. Fisher & Paykel		3,552		8.7
     4. Merit			3,556		8.6
     5. NCB Ireland		3,601		8.4
     6. Union Bank of Finland	3,620		8.3
     7. The Card		3,620		8.3
     8. British Defender	3,626		8.3
     9. Belmont Finland		3,634		8.3
    10. Fortuna Extra Lights	3,664		8.1
    11. Charles Jourdan		3,701		8.0
    12. Gatorade		3,727		8.0
    13. Fasizi			3,738		7.8
    14. Liverpool Enterprise	3,776		7.6
    15. L'Esprit de Liberte	3,888		7.1
    16. Rucanor Sport		3,896		7.0
    17. Creightons Naturally	3,909		7.5
    18. Equity & Law		3,997		7.4
    19. Maiden			4,011		6.5
    20. Schlussel von Bremen	4,046		6.3
    21. La Post			4,101		6.0
    22. With Integrity		4,129		5.9
    
    
    Regs
    
    Marcel

    NCB PASSED BY THE CARD
    Rothmans is maintaining her lead and is still 75 miles ahead
    of Steinlager. F & P is third 15 miles behind Steinlager, with Merit 8
    miles astern of her. NCB has slipped from 5th to 6th place, one mile
    behind The Card.
    
    The first five yachts passed Recife, the turning point on the north
    east coast of Brazil at 0400 GMT yesterday. Since then NCB slipped to
    sixth position. The leading group are now heading NW and have a
    favourable current pushing them toward the West Indies and into the
    doldrums.
    This is likely to slow all the yachts and once again they could catch
    up with the leader. Laurie Smith will be hoping that they have just
    enough advantage to sail through the troblesome area and into the trade
    winds ahead of their rivals.
    
    La Poste was duty yacht for her group yesterday and reported no wind.
    The boats ahead had wind and she was following the same course hoping
    to pick up the breeze later. She is 78 miles behind Schlussel von
    Bremen and still 25 miles ahead of With Integrity. L'esprit de Liberte
    is leading in Division D by 6 miles from Rucanor Sport with Maiden 138
    miles astern of Rucanor.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    f

    ARGOS POSITIONS 29 MARCH
    1. F & P 2741 TO GO   AVERAGE  9.3
    2. STEINLAGER  2764  9.2
    3. ROTHMANS  2779  9.1
    4. MERIT  2816  9.2
    5. BRITISH DEFENDER  2874  8.6
    6  THE CARD  2905  8.7
    7. UBF  2907  8.7
    8. NCB IRELAND  2921  8.7
    9. BELMONT FINLAND  2934  8.6
    10 FORTUNA  2963  8.5
    11 CHARLES JOURDAN  2995  8.4
    12 GATORADE  3007  8.4
    13 FAZISI  3092  8.1
    14 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  3163  7.8
    15 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  3199  7.7
    16 EQUITY & LAW  3312  7.6
    17 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  3370  7.0
    18 RUCANOR SPORT  3383  7.0
    19 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  3597  6.2
    20 MAIDEN  3603  6.2
    21 WITH INTEGRITY  3685  5.9
    22 LA POSTE  3740  6.0
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    8. 

    BRITISH CHALLENGE DROPS BACK
    Peter Blake on Steinlager must be satisfied with the current state of
    play. The potential threat posed by Rothmans to his overall lead has
    been removed for the time being. F & P is leading but by only 3 miles
    from Steinlager.
    Rothmans is third, another 30 miles away and 12 miles ahead of Merit.
    The four leaders are well clear - by 50 miles of British Defender in
    fifth place, she is closely threatened by UBF, NCB and The Card.
    
    Regards,
    Tom

    The Irish Tribune reporter Gerry Byrne is sailing aboard NCB on Leg
    five. I have condensed his article in last Sunday's edition:
    
    The Whitbread veers between boredom and sheer terror. Light winds, flat
    seas and days of sailing on the same tack have failed to produce the
    excitement of earlier legs.
    
    Sunday March 25
    NCB was on course to skim Recife. Joe English decided against tacking
    to gain searoom because the four boats ahead were holding the same
    course. He hoped the wind would free enough for him to claw off the
    coast while still providing the close upwind conditions that had
    brought NCB up with the leaders.
    
    Monday March 26
    The wind freed more than anticipated, the reach induced a drop in speed
    but the others accelerated. In the afternoon the wind dropped light and
    Terry Gould set a light spinnaker toward the end of his watch.
    This led to drama shortly after the start of our watch. First the
    spinnaker pole end fitting failed. Speedy action in the dark by Robbie
    Naismith and Guy Barron succeded in replacing it without having to drop
    the sail. Minutes later the wind gusted to 15 knots, too much for the
    flimsy sailcloth which ripped in two before we could set a heavier
    spinnaker. Guy Barron was hoisted 100 feet up the mast to retrieve the
    headboard.
    Guy is the bowman on our watch. Bowmen look after all sail changes
    forward of the mast. They are hoisted aloft in all conditions. A
    potentially dangerous job requiring tremendious agility.
    The saying on board : "the only good bowman is a wet one".
    
    Tuesday 27 March
    Robbie Naismith sewed up the damaged spinnaker below decks. He works in
    35 degrees centigrade, some five degrees hotter than on deck where a
    patriotic choice of green paint does not help in the equatorial sun and
    cannot be walked on in bare feet.
    20 miles off Recife a rainsquall overtook us in the dark, miraculously
    the light genoa survived. Several headsail changes kept us busy during
    the night. Headsails are zipped into long saussage bags, some of which
    are 30 feet long. A large one can weigh over a hundredweight.
    At least four on a coffee grinder are required for headsail hoists,
    then all available crew rush forward to pull in the sail being
    replaced. A headsail change keeps the entire deck crew flat out for ten
    minutes. Changes are called for almost continuously.
    
    Wednesday 28 March
    The fact that the boat sometimes resembles a nudist colony has more to
    do with nature's cure for "gunwale bum" than a desire for an overall
    tan. Hours sitting on rear ends in sea soaked clothing produces the
    characteristic rash.
    Joe English warns the helmsman for loosing concentration in the
    overwhelming heat. We douse ourselves regularly with buckets of
    luke-warm seawater. Some of the crew recall the icebergs with fondness.
    
    Thursday 29 March
    Tonight we crossed the equator and are already encountering calms. Our
    speed drops to 4 knots at times. This will last for another 400 miles
    or so until we pick up the north east trades.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NZ KETCHES FIGHT IT OUT
    Positions at the front continue to change every few hours. But only for
    the two NZ ketches. On Tuesday evening Steinlager was 1 mile ahead of F
    & P. By midnight their positions were reversed, yet four hours later
    Steinlager was leading by 2 miles.
    Not only had the two yachts changed places, they had also changed
    courses and their relative positions on the water. Some time during the
    night their tracks crossed and F&P is now the more northerly of the
    two.
    At midday yesterday Steinlager had increased her lead to 8 miles, while
    astern of the two ketches, Rothmans is hanging on to third place. She
    is 56 miles behind F&P, with Merit still catching her and now only 18
    miles astern. The first four yachts are well ahead of the others which
    include NCB in sixth place.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ARGOS POSITIONS @1537 GMT 6 APRIL
    
    1.  F&P  802 TO GO  AVERAGE 10.1
    2.  STEINLAGER  825  10.0
    3.  ROTHMANS  890  9.9
    4.  MERIT  894  9.9
    5.  THE CARD  1100  9.5
    6.  UBF  1111  9.4
    7.  NCB  1142  9.4
    8.  BELMONT FINLAND  1151  9.3
    9.  GATORADE  1152  9.4
    10  BRITISH DEFENDER  1158  9.5
    11  CHARLES JOURDAN  1190  9.2
    12  FORTUNA  1205  9.2
    13  FAZISI  1297  9.0
    14  LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  1438  8.7
    15  CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  1549  8.4
    16  EQUITY & LAW  1625  8.5
    17  L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  1842  7.8
    18  RUCANOR SPORT  1890  7.7
    19  MAIDEN  2077  7.3
    20  SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  2088  7.2
    21  WITH INTEGRITY  2153  7.1
    22  LA POSTE  2240  6.9
    
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NCB Ireland was holding eighth place on Saturday as she sailed north of
    Puerto Rico in very light winds with less than 1000 miles to go. Her
    nearest challenger, Gatorade, had shortened NCB's lead from 10 to just
    over 3 miles.
    Winds have remained lighter than normal in the area and NCB had sailed
    just 88 miles in the past 12 hours broad reaching under main and light
    spinnaker, an average speed of 7.3 knots in 8 to 14 knot east south
    easterly winds. 
    The leaders Fisher & Paykel and Steinlager in comparison had averaged
    10.87 and 11.7 respectively. They are now some 400 miles ahead in more
    typical trade wind conditions of 20 knots or more. But the fourth
    placed yacht, Merit, is 167 miles ahead and has encountered light
    conditions.
    The light winds have forced Joe English to revise his ETA in Fort
    Lauderdale, to Wednesday morning instead of Tuesday as he first
    forecast.
    The yacht's sail maker, Robbie Naismith, is suffering from sunburned
    hands after a spell on the wheel on Friday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LIGHT WINDS SLOW LEADERS
    Light winds & strong currents slowed the leaders as they began what
    should have been their last day at sea.
    Steinlagers's ETA has been put back several hours to 0600 GMT this
    morning. F & P was yesterday only 11 miles behind the leader.
    It is highly unlikely that any other yacht can deny another New Zealand
    victory in the fifth leg.
    The third placed boat, Rothmans, was yesterday 78 miles astern of F&P,
    although she was sailing faster. Clearly enjoying more wind, she was
    making 9.8 knots compared to F&P's 2.7 and Steinlager's 2.8.
    The Swiss sloop Merit is in fourth place 160 miles astern, she is
    holding off The Card 70 miles behind.
    In a report to Portsmouth yesterday, Joe English said: "The most
    exciting thing that happened today was breakfast - freeze-dried
    omelettes."
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    BLAKE DOES IT AGAIN
    Peter Blake's record of winning successive legs in the Whitbread
    continued when Steinlager finished first in Fort Lauderdale yesterday.
    She crossed the line at 0741.11 GMT, earning Blake his fifth Beefeater
    Trophy in a row.
    Steinlager took 22 days and 16 hours to complete the 5,475 mile leg,
    34 minutes and 13 seconds ahead of her rival F&P, skippered by Grant
    Dalton, which finished at 0815.41 GMT.
    Steinlager has once again increased her overall lead on combined
    elapsed time, with F&P now in second place, 35 hours behind.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    On the way home last night I heard Pierre Felhmann of Merit commenting
    on the last leg of the race. Now that he is in third place it is going
    to be very tough if not impossible for him to catch up the NZ ketches
    wich have a minimum of 16hrs lead.
    
    He mentioned that the New Zealanders must have done an awful lot of
    homework to make what was perceived to be an un-competitive type of
    boat so competitive, & in fact have re-written a some of the sailing
    lore.
    
    The ketches will be at an advantage on the home run to the finish.
    
    Merit came home fourth (third overall) with spinnaker, with peaks up to 
    25 knots, where previously they were being overhauled whilst in a light 
    wind patch. 
    		Wishing you all you sailors a soopah Easter sail,
    								   nick.

    Once again, excellent coverage all!  Though this leg wasn't nearly as
    exciting as the previous were it is till great to get fresh news on the
    race daily!  Well done to all the contributors!

    BEST PLACING SO FAR FOR IRELAND
    By noon yesterday, 12 yachts - including NCB in 8th position had
    completed leg five.
    Monday - in 7th place UBF (Ludde Ingvall at 1533.43 GMT
                8th  NCB Ireland (Joe English) 1824.54 GMT
                9th Belmont Finland (Harry Harkimo) 1923.00
                10th Gatorade (Giorgio Falck) 2003.34
    
    Tuesday - 11th Fortuna (Javier de la Gandara) 0107.15
              12th Charles Jourdan (Alain Gabbay) 0234.24
    
    As a result of these placings, there have been changes to several
    yachts overall placings. Charles Jourdan has dropped from 5th to 6th in
    Division A. British Defender has moved up to 8th at the expense of
    Gatorade, UBF has gained a place to 10th and Fazisi, previously 10th,
    had still to finish and may drop behind NCB and Belmont Finland.
    
    There was intense competition at the finish for this group of maxis.
    The most improved was British Defender which jumped from 12th on the
    previous leg to a personal best of 6th. The others were NCB 9th to 8th,
    and Belmont 10th to 9th.
    Joe English commented that the battle for seventh, eighth and ninth
    place was as fierce as the battle by the leaders. "Gatorade went
    inshore around the north east of Brazil to take advantage of the
    current which we and Belmont were afraid to do, because we were ahead
    of other boats at the time. As a result, Gatorade came right back into
    the scene."
    
    Regards,
    Tom

    POSTMEN FINALLY ARRIVE IN U.S.
    "La Poste" the French entry skippered by Daniel Malle and crewed by
    postal workers became the last of the 22 to reach Fort Lauderdale,
    crossing the line at 1157.38 GMT on Tuesday.
    The 50 footer, smallest in the fleet, took 30 days and 21 hours at an
    average speed of 7.2 knots. Whereas many of the fleet achieved their
    fastest speeds over the last 500 miles, La Poste had calm conditions
    which slowed her to a 3 knot crawl.
    As a consequence she lost more time than she deserved. Maiden finished
    fourth in her division last Saturday. At that time La Poste was only
    320 miles away, sailing at 7 knots and was predicted to finish within
    two days. Istead she took nearly 3 and ended up 2 days and 17 hours
    behind Maiden.
    
    Rumour has it that Martela, which capsized in the final stages of leg
    four has been salvaged by the Uruguayan Navy and is being repaired with
    the intent to transport her to Fort Lauderdale in time to start on the
    final leg.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    I saw the ESPN clip on the 4th leg from NZ to Punta.  It wasn't bad all
    in all.  The interviews were pretty good and some of the footage was
    pretty exciting.  The collision at the start of leg 4 with the cruising
    boat was sort of sickening as were the shots of Martela being upside
    down.  The loss of life and other injuries were hardly mentioned at
    all.  They spotlighted a few of the boats mostly the Class A leaders.  
    Conditions aboard Fazisi are unbelievably inhospitable!  They are
    taking orders for the "Home" video version feturing segments from all
    of the boats shot with their Handycams.  It will not be available until
    the end of June after the race is over.  I missed the 800 number though
    does anyone have it?  I would like to order a copy if possible.
    
    Brian
        

    The number is: 1-800-648-1100

    Although this race is not yet over, details of the next one are
    beginning to emerge.
    
    	- The race will only be open to IOR Maxis and a restricted, or even 
    	  one design, 60 foot class. This will mean less time hanging
    	  around waiting for the minnows.
    
    	- The course will probably be similar to this time, with Cape Town
    	  being ruled out as a port of call.
    
        - The Royal Naval Sailing Association ( the current organisers )
    	  and Whitbread ( who are to continue to be sponsors ) have had
    	  several disagreements and Whitbread had threatened to organise
    	  the race itself, but this threat seems to be receeding.
    
    	- Rothmans, Fortuna and La Poste have stated that they will be
    	  entering again, with new boats.
    
    	- Whitbread will be trying to defray the costs of the race by
    	  asking the stop-over ports to bid for the right to stage the
          event.
    
    	- One, or even both, of the New Zealand ketches have been sold to
    	  an Italian ( who already owns an inshore Maxi ) so that he can
    	  mount a challenge next time.
    
    All these details are provisional, the race itslef will probably start
    September 1993
    
    Chris.
    
    

    
    
    Re: -1
    
    I know it's nothing to do with sailing but what's the Nick Faldo
    story ?
                                         
    

    In regards ESPN's coverage of the Whitbread race, I have legs 3 and 4.
    The sight of Martolla O.F. rudder up, the wheel on Maiden bent the
    'hemlsman' was hit by a wave, and the pictures of the Card's loss of
    its mizzen mast at they were leaving Aukland are almost unreal.
    
    The loss of life was surely mentioned during the coverage of leg 2 when
    it happend.
    
    If any of you folks would like to stop by Lexington some evening,
    weekday or weekend and check out legs 3 and 4, as well as the race
    coverage scheduled for this Saturday at 4:30pm(the name escapes me),
    send me mail and we will set up something. I make this offer rather
    than lending the tape because I not to smartly recorded in 6hr format
    which usually does not fair too well from one deck to another. Besides
    it will give me a good excuse to watch it again!  8^)
    
    Fred

    My sincere apologies to anyone suffering withdrawal symptoms over the
    past couple of weeks. There has simply been no news reaching me from
    Fort Lauderdale.
    
    LEG 6
    Course: Fort Lauderdale to Southampton. 3,837 miles
    Departure: May 5th
    ETA: 21-29 May
    
    100 yards off the entrance to Fort Lauderdale the Gulf Stream runs at 5
    knots. The stream runs from here to England, and is the key to how the
    final leg is handled. Navigators will keep a careful check on water
    temperature, which is a few degrees warmer in the stream. However, it
    starts to wander level with Cape Hatteras, ans skippers will have to be
    careful not to chase the stream all over the ocean, particularly since
    it can double back on itself, sending the yacht back toward Fort
    Lauderdale.
    Although the shortest distance across the Atlantic is far to the North,
    brushing Newfoundland, the goal is to get into the south sector of a
    depression and ride its favourable breeze all the way across; while
    watching the Gulf Stream and keeping track of the opposition.
    Whatever course a skipper takes is bound to be criticised by the
    shorebound experts, and the decisions they have to take will never be
    clear cut. If they win, they are heroes, and if they don't...well,
    anyone who has made it round the world has something to be proud of for
    the rest of his life.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    CULMINATION OF 18 YEARS OF EFFORT FOR BLAKE
    With a 36 hour lead after 111 days of ocean racing, Peter Blake and his
    15 strong crew on Steinlager appear set to win outright the Whitbread
    race, the final leg of which starts tomorrow.
    Yesterday on board his 84 foot yacht in Fort Lauderdale he spoke of his
    possible ultimate victory after 18 years of trying and five Whitbread
    races.
    Beneath Blake's six foot three inch frame, his fair complexion and
    composed exterior, one could feel the tension and pressure on him.
    Anything can go wrong, and he knows it. Both a sailor and adventurer,
    he has worked long and hard for this ultimate success. Born in 1948 and
    raised in Auckland, he has to date covered 400,000 miles of ocean
    racing.
    Together with Dennis Connor of Americas Cup fame, though infinately
    more popular, he has established himself as one of the world's greatest
    yachtsmen.
    He is a tough taskmaster, fiercly nationalistic and proud of his New
    Zealand origins and a total professional when it comes to yachting.
    This accounts for the fact that in the last two years since launching
    Steinlager, he has not lost or had to fire a single crewman. Behind the
    hard exterior lies a gentle giant. The loyalty of his crew is without
    question.
    In 1973/74 he was watch leader on Burton Cutter, which was first into
    Capetown. The hull was damaged on the next leg to Sydney and they had
    to return to South Africa.
    1977/78 he was watchleader on Heath's Condor which broke her mast but
    managed to win two legs nonetheless.
    In 1981/82 on Ceramco New Zealand he refused to quit although dismasted
    in the South Atlantic, under jury rig they reached Capetown and
    eventually finished with the leaders.
    His next boat was the Ron Holland designed Lion New Zealand. She was
    overbuilt for the race which had unusually light winds and had to be
    content with second over the finish line to UBS Switzerland.
    
    On Ireland's first participation in the race, Peter Blake expressed
    high regard for the NCB team and Joe English. "They have won everbody's
    respect and everbody knows that it's a slow boat, yet they get on with
    it." He also added that the much improved placing of NCB in the last
    leg was well-deserved.
    
    For his personal future Blake would not comment on his plans other than
    that he hasd no intention of competing in the Whitbread again. It has
    been rumoured that he will head the New Zealand Americas Cup Challenge.
    
    One mistake in the final leg and Fisher & Paykel, skipperd by Grant
    Dalton, could snatch his life's dream and Blake knows it.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    NEW 60 FOOT CLASS DISCUSSED
    A meeting in Fort Lauderdale this week proposed a conference of the
    world's yacht designers with the objective of designing a new Whitbread
    60 foot class.
    This conference will take place in England in early June.
    Matters of safety were paramount in the discussions, which included
    construction materials, engines, sail restrictions, stability, keels,
    rudders and water ballast. If the designers can agree a new rule, a new
    generation of lighter, faster and more exciting off shore yachts could
    result.
    Masthead asymetric spinnakers and fully battened mains could feature on
    the new boats. Water ballast is possible and regulations may allow the
    movement of sails and personal gear below decks while racing.
    The final proposal was to aim for an undistorted 60-foot yacht with
    fast performance.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    insert entry [spenkelink]wb75.txt;
    

    
    
    
    ......... and then it happened .........
    
    Gotta figure out how to import a VMS file into Notes.
    
    I'll be back.

    
    
    	NCB settles into her customary position.
    
    	Going into her second night at sea on the final  Atlantic race 
    	home,  the powerful New Zealand ketch Steinlager 2,  skippered 
    	by Peter Blake, had once again established herself at the head
    	of the 22-strong Round-the-World fleet. 
    	After a good start, NCB Ireland once again settled back to her 
    	position in the middle of the fleet trailing the maxi division.
    
    	Given the fast reaching start,  with an early average speed of
    	over 11 knots, the yachts could make it back to Southampton in
    	a record  15 to 16 days  for a spectacular grand finale to the
    	32,000 mile marathon.
    
    	More than 35 helicopters,  small planes  and an enormous blimp 
    	hovered above the fleet as they began the 3,837 mile final leg 
    	on Saturday. The start line,  heavily patrolled by Coast Guard 
    	launches,  was set about two miles off  Fort Lauderdale's Port 
    	Everglades.  An estimated 2,500 spectator craft  with possibly 
    	40,000 people, some seasick in the choppy ocean, milled around 
    	the starting area flanked by the United States warship Semmes. 
    	It was  the largest armada afloat  ever seen  off the coast of 
    	Florida.
    
    	NCB Ireland appeared at first to make  a poor start to leeward 
    	of the fleet who bunched at the weather end. However, powering 
    	through  the more inshore course  along the Florida coastline, 
    	she was an early leader with The Card. 
    	While it was more favorable  to move offshore  into a stronger 
    	north flowing tide,  it meant sailing a longer distance to the 
    	turning mark before the fleet headed out into the Atlantic. 
        
        In the  12 - 15 knot south easterly winds,  which called for a 
        spinnaker start, two boats, Alain Gabbay's Charles Jourdan and 
        Laurie Smith's Rothmans crossed the starting line too soon and 
        had to return. Then, some 5 minutes into the race, it appeared 
        that a section  of the fleet  in full flight  would run into a 
        wall of spectator craft overflowing on the route.  Fortunately 
        there were no collisions, as there were in Auckland.  When the 
        racing fleet had sailed as far north as Palm Beach however, it 
        was the twin masted New Zealand yachts who were again asserting
        their dominance.
        
        'The Lazy One', a yacht from Deerfield Beach, carried a banner 
        before the race which read: "Kant Katch Kiwi Ketches". 2 Hours 
        into the race they were right:  Steinlager and Fisher & Paykel 
        were in their customary first and second positions.
        
        Then, going into the first night as the winds dropped,  Merit, 
        the Swiss sloop rig yacht, moved up into 2nd position followed 
        by Union Bank of Finland, another sloop,  with Fisher & Paykel 
        in 5th position.

	Regards

	Marcel

    
    		
    This is the saga of 'MARTELLA OF' as published in the mid April issue 
    of 'Yachts & Yachting'. The story is written by Roger Lean-Vercoe. 
    (published without permission)
    
    ------------------------------------------------------
    
    'Martella OF' was designed by the world renowned Argentinian naval 
    architect German Frers and built to an extremely high standard by 
    Baltic Yachts in Finland. She was by no means a problematic budget 
    boat. Her hull was finished on schedule in January 1989, eight months 
    before the start of the Whitbread. After this she was flown from 
    Finland to Gibraltar where her keel, built by top German manufacturers 
    Speedwave, was fitted. Despite her timely completion, skipper Markku 
    Wiiken only secured financial assistance from the Finnish office 
    furniture company 'Martella', (hence the suffix OF, which stands for 
    Office Furniture) a couple of days before the race started on September 
    2nd, 1989.
    
    It was towards the end of the first leg whilst laying in sixth place 
    amongst the 15 Division A maxis in the Race, that 'Martella OF' first 
    hit the headlines. The large scale chart of Punta del Este, clearly 
    marks a prohibited area 20 miles or so from the finish line. While 
    sailing in close company with, but inshore of 'Fasizi' and 'Gatorade', 
    'Martella OF' found out the reason for this: she ran headlong into a 
    3ft diameter rubber floating pipeline that served to discharge oil 
    from tankers moored at the offshore end of the prohibited area. After 
    the initial impact which lifted the bow, 'Martella OF' was brought up 
    to a gradual stop by the pipe which closed snakelike behind her.
    
    The crew eventually extricated themselves without too much difficulty, 
    but it was a particularly unfortunate accident for Wiikeri, not just 
    because it allowed 'Fasizi' and 'Gatorade' to finish ahead of him, but 
    because it later threw doubt on the initial cause of 'Martella's' keel 
    problem. According to Wiikeri, the crew had been hearing groaning 
    noises coming from beneath the yacht for some time before the 
    collision and it was only after they had extricated themselves that 
    their diver reported that the keel was separating from the hull by 5 
    cm at the front and 1 cm at the rear. 
    
    'Martella OF' continued sailing to the finish line without further 
    problems, and immediately afterwards was slipped in the Naval 
    Dockyard in Montevideo. Her keel problem was a serious one. The top 
    end of the keel bolts were as they should be, so it was immediately 
    apparent that the keel bolts were pulling out of the lead keel, a 
    situation that was impossible if the keel had been built as Frers had 
    designed it.
    
    Faced with an enormous repair task, Baltic Yachts were asked by 
    'Martella's' project manager Micky Berner to assist with the repair, 
    but to his amazement they refused, presumably in the belief that the 
    damage had been caused by the collision with the pipeline, suggesting 
    instead that the yacht's insurance company should be contacted.
    
    Determined that 'Martella OF' should finish the race, a team 
    comprising of Pepe Frers from the Frers design office together with 
    Whitbread and Uruguay Naval Dockyard was assembled to carry out the 
    repair. Windows were cut in the lead of the keel to give access to the 
    lower ends of the bolts and it was soon discovered that the interior 
    framework of the keel was different from the Frers design. Speedwave 
    were then contacted and they produced different drawings for the 
    interior cage, explaining that the Frers' drawing had been modified 
    for 'practical milling purposes'. It appeared that Baltic Yachts and 
    the American Bureau of Shipping had approved the changes but no 
    contact had been made with or approval sought from the yacht's 
    designer.
    
    Amazingly these new drawings still did not agree with what the repair 
    team found inside the keel. The keel bolts themselves, or rather keel 
    'studs' as they were not threaded at the lower end,had only been 
    fastened to the keel cage structure at the top end with tack welds, 
    and these welds had broken allowing the 15 ton keel to slide down the 
    studs. There was no sign of the plates joining the bottom of the studs 
    that the Frers design called for.
    
    The keel subcontractor, Speedwave, later admitted in a press release 
    that 'due to the design of the top plate' they had themselves 
    sub-contracted the construction of the keel cage to another 
    'well-known and reputable' company, and 'due to the tight time scale 
    it was necessary for the completed assembly to go direct from the sub-
    contractor to the casting company'. 'Therefore' the release went on, 
    'we were unable to carry out a final inspection before casting'. The 
    release blamed the contact with the oil pipeline for the damage, 
    saying that 'the massive kinetic loads involved in this collision 
    damaged the bonding between the keel bolt cage and the lead keel'.
    
    This position is hotly contested by the repair team who maintain that 
    the keel could never have come in hard contact with the pipeline, a 
    statement which they claim can be supported mathematically from the 
    available data. No doubt this particular subject will be the topic of 
    much future legal discussion.
    
    The repair made at the Montevideo shipyard basically involved the 
    welding of plates onto the base of the keel studs, after which the 
    voids were refilled with lead, a repair which received approval of 
    Lloyd's Register of Shipping. From careful calculation of the stresses 
    involved the whole team was confident that the repair had been totally 
    successful.
    
    This appeared to be the case after the second leg when the yacht was 
    lifted in Freemantle and also in Auckland at the end of the third leg 
    of the Race. There was not even a crack in the paint at the hull/keel 
    joint. Speedwave later claimed in their press release of February 
    28th, (after the capsize) that Pepe Frers had 'Strongly recommended 
    that the keel bolts be replaced', but Micky Berner denies this equally 
    emphatically. 'Pepe Frers said nothing to us, and in any case the 
    whole suggestion was stupid, how could you change keel bolts that were 
    fixed inside the structure of the keel ?' One thing that was 
    absolutely certain was that the whole crew was totally confident of 
    the repair when they set out from Auckland on the fourth leg of the 
    Race, headed for Cape Horn and their second stop-over in Punta del 
    Este. But as the world now knows, they never made it.
    
    As she passed through some extremely rough water near the Falkland 
    Islands 'Martella OF' fell awkwardly of a wave, and subsequently 
    Markku Wiikeri noticed that the B&G sonic speed system had failed. In 
    fact it was not the instrument that had failed but the vital alignment 
    between the transducer in the hull and the reflector on the keel. The 
    keel had moved. In calmer weather they investigated the problem 
    further and as familiar groaning noises could be heard from below, the 
    diver was sent to investigate. He confirmed their worst fears, that 
    the keel was once again separating from the hull.
    
    Wiikeri hoped that they might make Punta, and decided to keep sailing 
    as he considered this produced less rolling, and hence less lateral 
    pressure on the keel than if they were motoring with their sails down. 
    He ordered all crew to live on deck and prepared all safety gear for a 
    swift abandonment of the yacht. He informed the Race Office of his 
    problem and they alerted the rescue services and ordered him to report 
    his position by radio every hour. One of these routine contacts on the 
    morning of February 26th started with: 'Punta del Este, this is 
    Martella, my position is 40 degrees 15 minutes north .....' ended 
    after a short pause with 'Mayday, Mayday, our keel is falling off' 
    Then, ominously communications ceased.
    
    The race office in Punta del Este immediately contacted the Argentine 
    rescue services and received assurances that all was in hand, but the 
    truth of the matter was that no aircraft or commercial craft ever 
    sighted 'Martella OF' or her crew. Fiasco is perhaps not too strong a 
    word to describe the attempted rescue.
    
    It was just as well that in parallel with the 'official' rescue 
    attempt Ludde Ingvall, the skipper of 'Union Bank of Finland', used 
    the sophisticated communications of his yacht to coordinate a rescue 
    by Martella's two closest competitors, 'Merit' some 30 miles ahead of 
    her, and 'Charles Jourdan' 25 miles astern. This operation was carried 
    out with exemplary efficiency and both yachts arrived at the scene of 
    the incident some four and a half hours later to find the crew safe on 
    the upturned hull.
    
    Such was the state of readiness aboard 'Martella OF' that only 4 crew 
    had actually got wet during the capsize, which took just 15 seconds 
    from the time that the yacht was sailing normally to when it was 
    totally inverted. Despite the fact that the yacht's EPIRB failed to 
    operate and that three of the four liferafts jammed in the cockpit or 
    rigging and did not inflate, the crew were not concerned for their own 
    safety. The radio operator was confident that his Mayday had got 
    through, and they all expected to sight a search and rescue aircraft 
    shortly. They were most surprised to see the two yachts appear first. 
    Ten crew were taken aboard 'Merit' and six transferred to 'Charles 
    Jourdan' and both yachts eventually continued their race to Punta del 
    Este, leaving 'Martella OF' adrift. Race officials and competitors 
    alike have always said that selfhelp was the most appropriate and 
    reliable safety measure in the Whitbread and this rescue proved the 
    point. However, if it had taken place in a gale in the remoteness of 
    the Southern Ocean the outcome may have been more tragic.
    
    Who is to blame ?
    
    The cause of the keel dropping off is sure to be another hotly 
    contested courtroom topic. About 5 centimeters of keel bolt protruded 
    from the bottom of 'Martella's' hull after the incident and it would 
    seem that there are just two options for the failure. Either it was 
    the failure of the welds made at Montivideo, after the first leg, to 
    hold the plates to the bottom of the keel studs, and after the 
    unfastened bolts slid some way out of the keel the fatigued and 
    snapped; or it was that the repair made in Montevideo held fast but 
    the bolts failed in tension, perhaps weakened by the fatigue during 
    the first leg of the Race.
    
    The Argentines were hardly more successful in the salvage operation 
    that followed the rescue then they had been in the rescue operation 
    itself. The insurers contacted a salvage firm in London on Feb 27th, 
    the day after the capsize, and they in turn briefed their Buenos Aires 
    agent who  contracted out the salvage operation to the Argentine Navy.
    
    It took four days to equip two Argentine Navy ships for the salvage 
    operation, but in the meantime the Argentine Coastguard had found the 
    unattended wreck and stationed their own ship alongside it. They 
    informed the Navy that the wreck was now theirs and that they intended 
    to carry out the salvage operation themselves.
    
    At this stage Micky Berner and the crew were hopeful that they could 
    refit the yacht and take part in the last leg of the Race from Fort 
    Lauderdale to Southampton. It was a tight schedule, but they had about 
    two months. 'Drum' had been rebuilt within this time after her 
    capsize, so why not 'Martella OF' ?
    
    While standing by the yacht the Coastguard took the only removable 
    possession from the wreck - an 18 Inch square by 4 Inch deep plastic 
    box that was tied to the hull. It looked expensive and worth saving. 
    What they did not know was that it was the Argos beacon which was 
    constantly reporting its position to Race Headquarters in Portsmouth. 
    By the time that their divers arrived on the scene to remove the mast 
    so that the towing could start, the weather was to rough for them to 
    dive. In fact it got so rough that they decided to leave the yacht to 
    seek shelter.
    
    The next problem in this horrific saga was that after the storm they 
    could not relocate 'Martella OF' despite an air and sea search. 
    Ironically, because they had removed the Argos beacon, their one 
    reliable means of finding her had now evaporated.
    
    Eventually, it all did happen, but sadly not before the deadline for 
    competing in the last leg of the Race had long passed. The yacht was 
    towed, still upside down, into Montevideo by a Uruguayan fishing boat 
    on March 18, three weeks after her capsize and is now being cleaned up 
    before shipment to Finland.
    
    The story of the capsize and salvage of 'Martella OF' makes 
    particularly sad reading, but as Micky Berner reflected in a Punta del 
    Este press conference, 'The fact that no lifes were lost was close to 
    a miracle - perhaps we can now do something to make the industry 
    safer'. Red tape, alas, will always be there.

    Sofar the article. 

    A columnist in the same issue asks a few questions that seem to shed
    a different kind of light on the issue. I'll see whether I can find
    the time tomorrow to plug that in as well.

    Best regards

	Marcel    

         
         The under following article is copied (without permission) from 
         "Yachts & Yachting,  the Mid April issue.  Bob Fisher is one of 
         their columnists, who puts a few question marks to the Martella 
         story.
         
         ------------------------------------------------------
         
         The Fisher Letter.
         
         There are  few worse words  that one can hear coming over a VHF 
         radio than 'Mayday, Mayday'. Having once had to make that call, 
         I can write  this with some feeling,  but there was  one recent 
         occasion  when they were  uttered when,  I believe,  they could 
         have been easily avoided.  The occasion was on the forth leg of 
         the Whitbread Round the World Race and the boat in question was 
         'Martella OF'.
         
         In support of this claim,  I would have to outline the facts as 
         they occurred, beginning with the incidents at sea which led to 
         the rescue of the 16  man crew of the Finnish yacht.
         
         'Mayday Mayday, the keel is falling off !' The tone of voice of 
         the radio operator changed dramatically in the middle of a rou-
         tine position report  at 1100 GMT on Monday February 26th. Then 
         there was silence and no further radio contact for some time.
         
         The next report came from the  Argentine Coast Guard in  Buenos 
         Aires that the yacht had been sighted,  upside down,  with life 
         rafts around her - there was  in fact  only one,  as the  other 
         three had been trapped by the guardrail when the yacht capsized. 
         By 1500 the French yacht 'Charles Jourdan' arrived on the scene 
         and an Argentine fishing vessel was said to be closing,  and so 
         too was 'Merit'. The expressed intention was to take the 16 man 
         crew of 'Martella', split equally, aboard 'Charles Jourdan' and 
         'Merit'.
         
         'Charles Jourdan' had been 30 miles south when the yacht capsi-
         zed, with 'Merit'  39 mile to the north-east - both went to her 
         aid, while Ludde Ingvall in 'UBF' continued to provide valuable 
         navigational assistance over the radio.  Pierre Fehlmann  gibed 
         the yacht at 1120 and hoisted a spinnaker in 15 - 20 knot winds 
         and seas of  three to five feet  to head  towards  the stricken 
         yacht at 13 knots.
         
         'Merit' reported,  when within a mile,  that all of the 16 crew 
         of 'Martella' could be seen on the upturned hull and that there 
         were life rafts deployed. 'Merit' and 'Charles Jourdan' arrived 
         almost simultaneously to begin the transfer.
         
         Markku Wiikeri, the skipper of 'Martella OF',  had informed the 
         Race Headquarters shortly after midday on Sunday that the yacht 
         was experiencing keel problems. The keel, he said, was 'sliding 
         down the keel bolts',  in a manner,  similar to that  which had 
         occurred during the first leg of the race,  from Southampton to 
         Punta del Este.
         
         During the stopover there in October, repairs had been effected 
         and  these were checked  when the yacht  was hauled out  of the 
         water  at the end of the second leg in Freemantle  and again in 
         Auckland prior to the fourth leg.
         
         By 2200 GMT on Sunday,  'Martella OF' had established a regular 
         hourly radio check with Race Headquarters because of the worse-
         ning situation with her keel. 
         When one of her crew went over the side of the boat  with scuba 
         gear to inspect the keel,  he found that there was a 2" separa-
         tion  between the top of the keel  and the bottom of the boat - 
         as it had been when she arrived in Punta in September.
         The shape of the keel of 'Martella OF' was a radical one with a 
         heavy bulb on the bottom, a large proportion of which was ahead 
         of the main part of the fin.  It has been suggested,  that this 
         peculiar shape,  not part of Frers original design, had a nega-
         tive effect on the structural integrity of the keel.
         
         The winds overnight were light, six to seven knots from the N-E
         and 'Martella' seemed able to cope well with these. It was when 
         the wind began to freshen,  around  1000 GMT,  that the yacht's 
         condition  began to worsen. Other skippers  expressed concerns, 
         that Wiikeri  appeared to be continuing  to drive his boat hard 
         rather than retire and motor slowly towards a port.
         
         The stricken sailors were fortunate with the weather,  Fehlmann 
         described the visibility as excellent and the sea condition was 
         slight.  200 Miles  north of where  the Finnish yacht capsized, 
         'Steinlager II' was blasting towards the finish line  in a gale 
         force south-easterly at close to 15 knots.
         
         Those are the facts as they emerged when the incident occurred, 
         but a slightly different story began  to be revealed  after the 
         crew of 'Martella' arrived in Punta del Este.  The start of the 
         keel incident came on the night of Friday Feb 23rd when,  and I 
         quote Wiikeri,  'we were about five miles behind 'Merit',  beam 
         reaching in about 25 knots of wind.  We slammed into a big wave 
         and suddenly the speedometer read zero. At first I thought that 
         there was something wrong with the speedometer,  but during the 
         night  we realized there was possibly something wrong  with the 
         keel. It is a sonic speed sensor and it doesn't work unless the 
         two parts are lined up'
         
         The next morning,  a diver went over the side and, according to 
         Wiikeri,  'reported  that the keel  was a little bit loose'. He 
         (Wiikeri) added that they  'knew the problem as it was the same 
         as during the first leg'. But it wasn't and subsequent inquires 
         revealed that the diver's report was that the detachment of the 
         keel  was five centimeters at the front  and two centimeters at 
         the back *AND* that the first keel bolts had sheared.  That was 
         nothing like the situation  that occurred during the first leg. 
         Sheared keel bolts were, as sailors themselves say,  'something 
         else'.
         
         Wiikeri admitted,  that they could hear  the keel moving about. 
         That movement, he said, stopped when there was some pressure on 
         the sails and he felt it safer to continue sailing. 'We hoped', 
         he said,  'the light winds  would continue for the rest  of the 
         leg'.  But they did not  and it was here that Wiikeri made what 
         must be regarded  as a gross error.  Far from easing back  when 
         the winds piped up, the Finnish skipper hammered on with little 
         regard for the safety of his boat and her crew.  As evidence of 
         that,  I refer to the Argos satellite report (number 165) which 
         shows that on the pass at 0640 on Monday Feb 26,  'Martella OF' 
         had 384 miles to go and was <averaging> 10.3 knots and making a 
         course of  012 degrees.  Since  Pierre Fehlmann,  who  had been 
         almost due north of 'Martella OF', had set a spinnaker to go to 
         her and had been hard on the wind beforehand,  we can only draw 
         the conclusion  that the Finnish yacht was beating.  Beating to 
         windward  at that speed in waves of between three and five feet 
         and winds of 15 - 20 knots,  if Fehlmann's evidence is correct, 
         cannot be the best way of attempting one's vessel  or the lives 
         of those on board when the yacht's keel is known to be detached 
         and  that the front two keel bolts,  at least,  are sheared. It 
         wasn't simply "sliding down the keel bolts".
         
         There is an alternative which Wiikeri should have taken. He had 
         a diver aboard,  who could have effectively established  a sub-
         stantial  rope cradle  around the keel,  which  could have been 
         supported by a series of ropes to the yacht's winches and, with 
         the sails down  she could have been motored to the nearest port 
         for repairs. By retiring from the 4th leg,  she would then have 
         been a finishing competitor in five of the race's legs  and not 
         just a finisher in only three.
         
         Just who was ultimately responsible for the engineering mistake 
         will have to be decided  before the matter is closed.  The keel 
         was not build to the German Frers original drawing nor to those 
         which 'Speedwave' sent to him for approval.  Those factors were 
         confirmed by the RNSA and Pepe Frers when the keel was reinfor-
         ced in Montevideo after its near loss on the first leg. Someone, 
         somewhere, has a great deal of explanation to offer.
         

	Unfortunately I only have the Argos report for you today.
	Hopefully I can give some more details tomorrow, especially
	with regard to Rothmans, Charles Jourdan and Gatorade.


	Data compiled from the CLS Argos satellite-based location 
	system at 18:37 GMT on May 7th, 1990.

	Pos	Yacht			Miles 	     Average
                	                to go	      speed
	=====================================================
         
         01	Fisher & Paykel			3,345  10.1
         02	Steinlager 2			3,351  10.1
         03	The Card			3,362	9.7
         04	Merit				3,368	9.6
         05	Fortuna Extra Lights		3,379	9.4
         06	Fasizi				3,383	9.3
         07	NCB Ireland			3,387	9.2
         08	Liverpool Enterprise		3,399	8.9
         09	Creightons Naturally		3,404	8.8
         10	Equity & Law			3,407	8.8
         11	Union Bank of Finland		3,408	9.4
         12	Belmont Finland II		3,419	9.7
         13	Schluessel von Bremen		3,420	8.8
         14	British Satquote Defender	3,423	9.1
         15	La Poste			3,436	8.4
         16	Maiden				3,439	8.1
         17	L'Esprit de Liberte		3,441   8.0
         18	Rucanor Sport			3,443	8.0
         19	With Integrity			3,445	7.6
         20	Rothmans			3,459	7.6
         21	Charles Jourdan			3,460	8.7
         22	Gatorade			3,611	4.4


	Best regards

	Marcel

    
    
    Thanks to Marcel for taking the time to enter that very interesting
    article on Martella.
    
    Please keep us posted on further developments.
    
    Robert

    RE 244:
    
    The conclusion that Martella was beating is not clearly 
    evidenced, especially when you consider the conditions in 
    which she was said to be doing so -- at 10.3 knots.  On a flat calm
    sea with intact flow around the keel, maybe, but in 3 to 
    5 foot seas and with a lose keel?  That rescuers had to run-off 
    to rendezvous with Martella proves little because 
    we know how fickle the winds can be.  The exact conditions 
    can only be verified with the log and crew testimony, but
    I doubt they were driving the boat as hard as the article
    suggests.
    
    Sure, like good arm-chair skippers we can second-guess
    the skipper's actions, and the sheared bolts do add a serious
    variable that may have been taken too lightly, but I would 
    certainly give him credit for having all hands on deck 
    and prepared for an emergency.
    
    Whoever has the explaining to do, the last person to hang
    is the skipper, IMHO.
    
    Regards,
    Dean

    
    I agree with Dean.  The idea of putting a rope netting around the keel
    is far fetched at the least.  The netting would not have stopped the
    side to side movement which was fatiguing the bolts.  Trying to place
    lines beneath that would have had any impact on keeping the keel on the
    boat while at sea would be superhuman and lucky.  
    
    Having dealt with the task of moving keels around on land, they are
    unwieldy by their shape and require huge straps to stabilize them.  No,
    the skipper would appear to have done the right thing.  Keep in mind
    that the crew probably did not regret that decision.  These guys had a
    lot at stake in trying to finish.  They could not possibly know for
    certain that the thing would finally break off clean.  
    
    They were indeed lucky the weather cooperated with them, and unlucky
    that the liferafts got tangled up.  As is the Fastnet disaster there
    should and probably will be inquiries as to how to improve liferaft
    cannister design and mounting to prevent that from happening again.
    Somebody screwed up big, but lets not blame the guy whose life was on
    the line!
    
    Dave

    Both Rothmans & Gatorade have had to return to port to repair rigging
    problems, Gatorade needed to weld a buckled spreader, and Rothmans
    needed to replace a broken intermediate shroud. Rothmans are now 250
    miles behind the leaders and it now looks unlikely that they will be
    able to beat Merit by the 9 hours they need to get up into 3rd overall

    NCB now in second place !
    
    This is what Stuart Alexander aboard British Satquote defender reports
    in the Irish Times today:
    
    Grant Dalton is back in a position he knows well, leading the Whitbread 
    Round the World fleet in Fisher & Paykel  between a Gulfstream group to 
    his left and Peter Blake  breathing  down  his  neck  in the rival Kiwi 
    ketch, Steinlager 2, from a position to his right that is more convent-
    ionally close to the Great Circle route.
    
    In less  familiar territory  at the front  of the Gulf stream group are 
    Joe English  in  NCB Ireland and Harry Harkimo in Belmont Finland,  who
    have played the variable breezes and the warm northerly current to good 
    advantage to join Roger Nilson,  in the Swedish ketch The Card. Way out 
    to the right, Pierre Fehlmann in Merit completes the top six.
    
    The unusual absentee is  Lawrie Smith in Rothmans,  whose radio silence 
    on Monday did not indicate he was pushing ahead quietly but that he had 
    had to put into Georgetown where Neil Cheston spent the day up the mast 
    repairing a spreader.
    
    Smith is now about 250 miles behind the leaders and,  in normal circum-
    stances, his place as the number one sloop in the race has gone. 
    The Atlantic,  however, can often be far from normal. Italy's Gatorade, 
    too, is also back on track after repairs in Jacksonville. 
    
    On board Satquote, since we began we have had some sprints, some slogs, 
    but  we are only 20%  of the way through the marathon.  We have already 
    sailed a Fastnet  and a quarter and have over 5 more to go.  Now we are 
    rollicking along at a steady twelve knots  and are firmly placed in the 
    middle of the Gulf Stream. The long-awaited 20knot westerly has arrived 
    and the lightweight spinnaker,  nicknamed "The Baby Beast",  is pulling 
    well. The weather is fine and the boat is dry.
    
    The only disappointment is that,  having found our own private patch of 
    calm, the 2 lightweights, Spain's Fortuna and France's Charles Jourdan, 
    have pulled out a substantial lead.
    
    Earlier problems,  like a forehead dried  to look like corned-beef hash
    and a thirst,  that would win prices at a Costwold cider festival, have 
    gone away.



	Data compiled from the CLS Argos satellite-based location 
	system at 17:53 GMT on May 8th, 1990.

	Pos	Yacht			        Miles Average
                	                        to go  speed
	=====================================================
         
         01	Steinlager 2			3,126	9.8			
 :^) ->  02	NCB Ireland                     3,131   9.7
         03	The Card			3,135	9.7
         04	Belmont Finland II		3,137	9.7
         05	Merit				3,141	9.6
         06	Fisher & Paykel NZ		3,148  10.0
         07	Fortuna Extra Lights		3,150	9.5
         08	British Satquote Defender	3,173	9.1
         09	Charles Jourdan			3,179	9.3
         10	Fasizi				3,185	9.0
         11	Union Bank of Finland		3,201	9.0
         12	Equity & Law II			3,206	8.7
         13	Creightons Naturally		3,212	8.6
         14	Liverpool Enterprise		3,229	8.3
         15	Schluessel von Bremen		3,256	8.0
         16	Maiden				3,286	7.5
         17	La Poste			3,291	7.5
         18	L'Esprit de Liberte		3,301	7.3
         19	Rucanor Sport			3,310	7.2
         20	With Integrity			3,362	6.5
         21	Rothmans			3,399	6.1
         22	Gatorade			3,427	5.5


	Best regards

	Marcel

	NCB Slips to fourth place.

	Fisher & Paykel,  was still leading  at noon yesterday.  At
	that time she was  11 miles ahead of Merit,  16 miles ahead
	of the race leader Steinlager 2 and 19 ahead of NCB Ireland.

	Only four hours earlier,  however, the Argos satellite plot
	showed  the unusual situation  of the first 3 yachts  tying 
	for first place.  NCB was then 5th, with The Card lying 4th
	as the fleet continued to make their way north-eastwards up 
	the American coast.

	Earlier still, Fisher & Paykel - the overnight leader - had
	been caught and passed by Merit,  which managed to get nine 
	miles ahead.  But than  the Swiss sloop  clearly ran out of 
	wind and was caught by both Fisher & Paykel and Steinlager.


	----------------


 	Data compiled from the CLS Argos satellite-based location 
	system at 13:33 GMT on May 9th, 1990.

	Leg 6 - Fort Lauderdale to Southampton

	Pos	Yacht			        Miles Average
                	                        to go  speed
	=====================================================
         
         01	Fisher & Paykel NZ		2,910	9.8			
	 02	Merit				2,921	9.7
         03	Steinlager 2			2,926	9.6
         04	NCB Ireland			2,929	9.6
         05	The Card			2,936	9.5
         06	Fortuna Extra Lights		2,936	9.5
         07	Union Bank of Finland		2,945	9.4
         08	Belmont Finland	II		2,946	9.4
         09	British Satquote Defender	2,957	9.3
         10	Creightons Naturally		2,968	9.2
	 11	Charles Jourdan			2,970	9.6
         12	Equity & Law II			2,974	9.1
         13	Fasizi				3,000	8.8
         14	Liverpool Enterprise		3,051	8.3
         15	Rothmans			3,119	7.6
         16	Maiden				3,127	7.5
         17	L'Esprit de Liberte		3,145	7.3
         18	Rucanor Sport			3,160	7.1
         19	Gatorade			3,185	6.8
         20	Schluessel von Bremen		3,198	6.7		
         21	La Poste			3,237	6.3
         22	With Integrity			3,273	5.9


	Best regards

	Marcel

    

	The leading group of yachts are still staying remarkably
	close together, with the two New Zealand ketches continuing
	to set the pace. At yesterday's Argos satellite pass Grant
	Dalton's Fisher & Paykel led Steinlager 2 by 18 miles and
	was then 2,636 miles from the finish.

	NCB Ireland was third - four miles astern of Steinlager.
	Merit was shown as being nine miles behind Steinlager and
	had Union Bank of Finland eight miles behind her.

	Only 94 miles separated Fisher & Paykel from Fasizi in 11th
	place, though the yachts are now fairly widely spread on the
	water. Fisher & Paykel and Steinlager are on opposite sides
	of the column of 22 yachts heading north east up the Atlan-
	tic, with Steinlager the easterly of all. NCB is the fartest
	north and west, close to Fisher & Paykel, with Merit and The
	Card in the middle of the group.

	Both sides of the course have been favored by the weather at
	different times and it will be interesting to see if there 
	will be any long term advantage for one or the other. Yesterday
	morning it was the north-westerly boats that had slightly the 
	better of the breeze, with Fisher & Paykel recording 10.3 knots

	The surge of Rothmans through the tail-enders of the fleet has
	slowed, now that she is in the same wind.


	----------------


 	Data compiled from the CLS Argos satellite-based location 
	system at 15:03 GMT on May 10th, 1990.

	Leg 6 - Fort Lauderdale to Southampton

	Pos	Yacht			        Miles Average
                	                        to go  speed
	=====================================================
         
         01	Fisher & Paykel NZ		2,636  10.2																								       
	 02	Steinlager 2			2,654  10.0
 :-) ->  03	NCB Ireland			2,658  10.0
         04	Merit				2,663  10.0
         05	Union Bank of Finland		2,671	9.9
         06	The Card			2,677	9.8
         07	Belmont Finland	II		2,688	9.7
         08	Fortuna Extra Lights		2,698	9.7
         09	Charles Jourdan			2,701	9.6
	 10	British Satquote Defender	2,726	9.4
         11	Fasizi				2,730	9.4
         12	Equity & Law II			2,744	9.3
         13	Creightons Naturally		2,746	9.2
	 14	Liverpool Enterprise		2,794	8.8
         15	Rothmans			2,828	8.5
         16	Maiden				2,881	8.1
         17	L'Esprit de Liberte		2,886	8.0
         18	Gatorade			2,892	8.0
         19	Rucanor Sport			2,927	7.7
         20	Schluessel von Bremen		3,001	7.0
         21	With Integrity			3,045	6.7		
         22	La Poste			3,069	6.4



	Best regards

	Marcel

     
     
     Women without men - the 'Maiden' experience
     -------------------------------------------
     
     Irish Times, 10 May 1990, Enda O'Coineen reporting.
     
     (Copied without permission)
     
     
     More than anything else, Angela Farrell (Ireland - MS) maintains that 
     you have  to be easy going  and know when  to keep your mouth shut to 
     succeed as a crew on the Whitbread Round the World Race. Currently on 
     the last leg across the Atlantic,  Angela is crewing on Maiden, Tracy 
     Edwards' all-female challenge which has won widespread public support 
     and captured people's imaginations.
     
     'There were times, when I felt like letting rip,  but you can't.  You 
     must keep control and hold your opinions to yourself. You've just got 
     to muscle in,  but be very relaxed on board  and give a lot',  Angela 
     said last week in  Fort Lauderdale,  before setting out  on the final 
     leg home  to Southampton.  Modestly she added, that if she can do it, 
     anybody can.
     
     Formerly a secretary in an insurance office, Angela says the race has 
     changed her life  since she left home  in the middle of last year for 
     the 32,000 mile odyssey. 'I could never go back again into insurance. 
     Don't get me wrong,  though,  I did like it, but the time had come to 
     change'.
     
     Although  she comes from a sailing background in  Dun Laoghaire where 
     she has sailed extensively,  "Whitbread" has been a totally different 
     experience. The routines on board are much more rigid and her 5ft 2in 
     skipper,  Tracy Edwards,  is not the sort of lady you cross.  For the 
     first leg of the race Angela found it very tense but it became easier 
     as the race progressed.
     
     Rather than simply participate, the Maiden team set out  to break the 
     prejudice  that women could not take part in ocean racing  other than 
     as peripheral members of the teams.  Though many of them would gladly 
     have sailed with male crews,  they set out to prove  they can compete 
     on equal terms with men. 
     
     'My participation is going to make a lot more Irish girls see that it
     is possible.  I know a lot of them must think that you can never make 
     it into this scene, but you can', Angela said emphatically.
     
     When questioned as to what was the toughest part of the race,  Angela 
     said  her lowest point was reached  in Auckland  just one week before 
     the start  of the leg around Cape Horn to Uruguay.  At that stage her 
     husband Brendan had just left to come home.  'I was very low.   There 
     and then I could have flown home and just left it all behind me.  But 
     I'm no quitter and wanted to finish the race and that was that. Maybe 
     if you are young,  free and single it is different,  but when you are 
     married it's hard. There are lots of things I want to work on at home 
     and be with Brendan and that means more to me than a life on the high 
     seas'. 
     
     The race has been particularly demanding physically,  coming close to 
     the end. 'Not that the jobs on board are too difficult, I don't realy
     find that a problem,  but my health is starting to suffer from eating 
     freeze-dried food all the time'.
     
     Would she do it again ? 'Yes, for the race and for the sailing, but I 
     must confess at this stage that the stopovers are too much.'
     
     
     

     
     
     British Satquote Defender looses top of mast .....
     
     Maiden "kisses" a whale .......
     
     NCB slips to fifth place ..........
     
     
     Fisher & Paykel is 10 miles ahead of her main rival, Steinlager 2. The 
     yachts have been maintaining fast speeds during the night. NCB Ireland 
     has slipped from  third position to 5th and The Card has moved up into 
     fourth place.
     
     The top section of the mast broke on British Satquote Defender late on 
     Thursday night. The yacht was sailing in winds of 18-20 knots when the 
     mast failed. The yacht's radio antenna was damaged.  It took some time 
     before she could get a signal to any of the other yachts.
     
     Eventually Union Bank of Finland was able to contact the yacht and re-
     ported that Satquote Defender is continuing to Southampton  under jury 
     rig. Nobody was hurt on board and they had managed to cut away all the 
     wreckage and were using the rest of the mast to rig a partial mainsail.
     
     Maiden is now 3rd in her division behind  L'Esprit de Liberte  and the 
     Belgian yacht  Rucanor Sport.  Maiden called in  as duty yacht for her 
     group on Thursday night and reported that she had recently been hit by
     a whale.  They'd inspected the yacht for damage by checking the rudder 
     and keel but found none  They were sure that the whale had passed down 
     the side of the hull.
     
     Tracy also reported,  that last Sunday they were hit by a mini tornado 
     or water spout. They were turned thru 360 degrees and sustained damage 
     to the mainsail track on the mast.  Tracy described  the experience as 
     'alarming'.

     -------------------------------


 	Data compiled from the CLS Argos satellite-based location 
	system at 12:41 GMT on May 11th, 1990.

	Leg 6 - Fort Lauderdale to Southampton

	Pos	Yacht			        Miles Average
                	                        to go  speed
	=====================================================
         
         01	Fisher & Paykel NZ		2,342  10.6
	 02	Steinlager 2			2,352  10.5
         04	Merit				2,397  10.2
         06	The Card			2,407  10.1
         03	NCB Ireland			2,413  10.1
         05	Union Bank of Finland		2,414  10.1
         09	Charles Jourdan			2,425  10.0
         07	Belmont Finland	II		2,427  10.0
         08	Fortuna Extra Lights		2,433	9.9
         11	Fasizi				2,451	9.8
         13	Creightons Naturally		2,484	9.5
         12	Equity & Law II			2,500	9.4
	 14	Liverpool Enterprise		2,524	9.3
         15	Rothmans			2,540	9.1
	 10	British Satquote Defender	2,547	9.1
         18	Gatorade			2,587	8.8
         17	L'Esprit de Liberte		2,615	8.5
         19	Rucanor Sport			2,653	8.3
         16	Maiden				2,674	8.2
         20	Schluessel von Bremen		2,745	7.7
         21	With Integrity			2,758	7.6		
         22	La Poste			2,872	6.9



	Best regards

	Marcel

    NCB HOLDS ONTO SIXTH PLACE
    
    NCB Ireland is to remain in Irish ownership after the race, a gift to
    the Sail Ireland Trust from the owner NCB the stockbroking firm which
    sponsored her. Plans for her future have yet to be announced by Howard
    Kilroy, Sail Ireland Chairman.
    
    Dermot Desmond of NCB has also said that he is prepared to subscribe to
    a syndicate to fund Ireland's next Whitbread race entry which could
    cost 7 million Irish pounds.
    
    In the North Atlantic, NCB is lying 6th, 65 miles behind the Kiwi
    leaders Steinlager and Fisher & Paykel who are neck and neck. NCB,
    averaging 10.3 knots, holds sixth place by just one mile from Fortuna
    according to weekend Argos positions.
    Joe English is anxiously monitoring the condition of one of her
    spreaders which threatened to break on Thursday. Part of the yacht's
    anchor chain has been pressed into service in an unexplained fashion to
    prevent the alloy cup at the tip of the spreader from failing.
    Rothmans has fallen totally out of contention after she was forced to
    put back to Georgetown last week for repairs following the failure of a
    diagonal alloy strut supporting one of her spreaders.
    If the spreader does fail English will have to take one of two options
    to prevent the loss of the mast. He must either retire to the nearest
    port for repairs or else dramatically reduce sail. In a radio report on
    Friday he said that the boat had resumed full speed after the crew
    spent all day Thursday working on the fault.
    
    It was NCB's second near miss last week. On Monday quick action by the
    watch leader Kieran Tarbert in tacking just as a runner block failed
    narrowly averted a serious incident which could also have lead to the
    loss of the mast.
    
    NCB is now sailing close to Newfoundland and has already encountered
    dense fog common on the Grand Banks. Joe English has ordered a
    permanent radar watch for icebergs which have been reported in the
    vicinity.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    KIWI'S STILL BATTLE FOR THE LEAD
    
    The three ketches in the fleet of 22 were making the running yesterday
    in what is probably going to be the last week at sea for the leaders in
    the 6th and final leg.
    Still in front, as she has been for much of the 3,800 mile leg to
    Southampton is Fisher & Paykel. She is 12 miles ahead of Steinlager.
    Both yachts have about 1,800 miles to go.
    At their recent average speeds of 10.9 knots the British Telecom
    computer is predicting they will finish an hour apart next Sunday.
    
    Note: The above report conflicts with the Argos positions which follow.
    
    1. STEINLAGER   1710 to go  Average 10.9
    2. FISHER & PAYKEL  1702  10.9
    3. THE CARD  1721  10.8
    4. FORTUNA  1739  10.7
    5. MERIT  1756  10.6
    6. FAZISI  1769  10.6
    7. UBF  1794  10.4
    8. CHARLES JOURDAN  1803  10.4
    9. NCB IRELAND  1810  10.4
    10 ROTHMANS  1820  10.3
    11 BELMONT FINLAND  1821  10.3
    12 EQUITY & LAW  1930  9.7
    13 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  1934  9.8
    14 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  1963  9.6
    15 GATORADE  1965  9.6
    16 BRITISH DEFENDER  1999   9.4
    17 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  2080  9.0
    18 RUCANOR SPORT  2133  8.7
    19 MAIDEN  2138  8.7
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  2190  8.4
    21 WITH INTEGRITY  2298  7.8
    22 LA POSTE  2363  7.5
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    

    NEW ZEALANDER'S SWOP PLACES
    
    F&P led Steinlager by 19 miles yesterday morning. And while the mid-day
    Argos pass failed to pick up F&P, she is presumed still to be leading.
    The Card and the third ketch in the fleet is in 3rd place.
    Joe English of NCB reported that he had recently seen some more
    growlers - small ice floes - only a few boats lenghts away. He was
    releived to be out of the fog.
    
    Argos positions @ 1638 GMT 14 May.
    1. F&P  1499 to go 10.7
    2. Steinlager 1506 10.7
    3. The Card  1531  10.6
    4. Fortuna  1537  10.6
    5. Merit  1560  10.5
    6. Fazisi  1570  10.4
    7. UBF  1582  10.4
    8. Rothmans  1594  10.3
    9. Charles Jourdan  1598  10.3
    10 NCB Ireland  1599  10.3
    11 Belmont Finland  1613  10.2
    12 Creightons Naturally  1689  9.9
    13 Equity & Law  1697  9.8
    14 Gatorade  1711  9.8
    15 Liverpool Enterprise  1719  9.7
    16 British Defender  1756  9.6
    17 L'Esprit de Liberte  1867  9.0
    18 Rucanor Sport  1929  8.7
    19 Maiden  1935  8.7
    20 Schlussel von Bremen  1975  8.5
    21 With Integrity 2194  7.5
    22 La Poste  2212  7.6
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ARGOS SATTELITE POSITIONS @1048 GMT 16 MAY
    1. F&P   1126 TO GO  AVERAGE SPD 10.4
    2. STEINLAGER  1131  10.4
    3. FORTUNA  1166  10.3
    4. THE CARD  1168  10.3
    5. MERIT  1173  10.3
    6. FAZISI  1208  10.1
    7. ROTHMANS  1208  10.1
    8  UBF  12O8  10.1
    9. BELMONT FINLAND  1217  10.1
    10 CHARLES JOURDAN  1243  10.0
    11 NCB IRELAND  1254  9.9
    12 GATORADE  1328  9.7
    13 EQUITY & LAW  1336 9.6
    14 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  1337  9.7
    15 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  1352  9.6
    16 BRITISH DEFENDER  1434 9.3
    17 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  1508  9.0
    18 RUCANOR SPORT  1557  8.8
    19 MAIDEN  1558  8.8
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN  1707  8.2
    21 LA POSTE  1876  7.5
    22 WITH INTEGRITY  2013  7.0
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    There are no position reports available today but the Irish Times
    carried an article which made reference to the Whitbread.
    Today sees the start of the J24 national championships which precede
    the J24 World championships here in Ireland in July. Inspired by Tracy
    Edwards and her crew on Maiden, for the first time there will be
    all-women crews battling for the eight places remaining for the Worlds.
    
    Another World championship coming up is the Heineken Half Ton World Cup
    to be held next month in Howth, Co.Dublin. Entries are already in from
    France, Spain and Britain. Local sailor Gordon Maguire, currently
    aboard Rothmans is a confirmed starter and a hot contender. This event
    is likely to be the start of Maguire's long term build up to the next
    Round the World race, in which it has been suggested he plans to get
    his own Irish entry together to rival NCB. The prospect of two Irish
    entries for the next Whitbread, each with a 7 million pound price tag,
    will make for great sport - both on and off the water!
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    LITTLE BETWEEN LEADING YACHTS
    As the weekend started NCB had slipped to 13th place and her crew were
    reported to be very disappointed with their recent performance. Joe
    English had positioned the yacht the furthest to the north in the hope
    of riding a low across the Atlantic. However when the low developed the
    strongest winds set in to the south of their position favouring the
    rest of the fleet.
    It is rumoured that NCB will be placed in the hands of the Irish navy
    soon after her return to be used as an offshore training vessel and as
    a workhorse for the future crews in the next Whitbread.
    
    With less than 400 miles to go the leaders are struggling to gain the
    vital initiative. Yesterday Steinlager was leading, but with seven
    other yachts within 78 miles Peter Blake cannot relax.
    Worrying him most is the different courses adopted by his most
    immediate rivals, for he cannot cover them all. Steinlager is the most
    northerly, with the boats placed 4th, 5th, and 6th, Rothmans, Fortuna
    and The Card about 100 miles further south.
    Nearer to Steinlager is F&P and Merit, in 2nd and 3rd places.
    
    There were reports on this mornings news that an RAF Seaking helicopter
    had lifted off a sick crew member from Liverpool Enterprise at maximum
    range in the mid-Atlantic. He was flown to a hospital in Cork, Ireland.
    
    ARGOS POSITIONS @1458 GMT 20 May
    
    1. STEINLAGER  360 TO GO  AVERAGE 9.6
    2. F&P  362  9.6
    3  MERIT  383  9.6
    4  ROTHMANS  437  9.4
    5  BELMONT FINLAND  443  9.4
    6  FORTUNA  447  9.4
    7  THE CARD  451  9.4
    8  FAZISI  469  9.4
    9  EQUITY & LAW  588  9.0
    10 UBF  625  9.0
    11 GATORADE  767  8.5
    12 NCB  771  8.5
    13 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  776  8.5
    14 CHARLES JOURDAN  795  8.4
    15 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  812  8.4
    16 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  850  8.3
    17 RUCANOR SPORT  936  8.0
    18 BRITISH DEFENDER  972  7.9
    19 MAIDEN  973  7.9
    20 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN 994  7.9
    21 LA POSTE  1266  7.2
    22 WITH INTEGRITY  1466  6.6
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    BLAKE & DALTON BATTLE IT OUT.
    The two NZ ketches were tick for tack yesterday in the final stages.
    Early yesterday morning Steinlager was 200 miles from the finish and by
    noon was off The Lizard. A mile or two away was F&P with Merit 30 miles
    astern.
    At midday yesterday Blake reported that F&P was 2 miles on his
    starboard quarter. The two yachts were beating to windward and Blake
    thought they would continue to do so for the rest of the day. He was
    not too pleased about that as F&P is faster on the wind and he was
    trying to ward her off all morning.
    The BT Computer was predicting they would finish at 0730 this morning.
    
    Merit has joined the list suffering from rigging failure. During the
    night a diagonal stay broke, similar to the incident which forced
    Rothmans into an American port for repairs.
    Merit's was however lower down on the starboard side of the mast and
    more accessible. A temporary repair has been made and she is pressing
    on at maximum speed.
    
    The crew member taken off Liverpool Enterprise by helicopter yesterday
    was Andrew Dinsdale who had undergone a kidney transplant over a year
    ago. He was interviewed on TV as he walked from the chopper to an
    ambulance in Cork. He said that he was taken ill a few days ago and it
    was decided that as a precaution he should be lifted off the boat. The
    transfer was made using the technique of towing a rubber dinghy well
    astern of the yacht with Dinsdale in it. The RAF helicopter pilot
    reported that it was a text book excercise.
    
    Argos positions yesterday.
    1. Steinlager  162  9.5
    2. Merit 166  9.5
    3  F&P  169  9.5
    4  Belmont Finland  247  9.3
    5  Rothmans  254  9.3
    6  The Card  258  9.3
    7  Fortuna  264  9.2
    8  Fazisi  278  9.2
    9  UBF  365  9.0
    10 Equity & Law  382  8.9
    11 NCB  536  8.5
    12 Gatorade  549  8.5
    13 Liverpool Enterprise 569  8.5
    14 Charles Jourdan  580  8.4
    15 Creightons Naturally 645  8.3
    16 L'Esprit de Liberte 757 8.0
    17 Rucanor Sport 819 7.8
    18 Maiden  827  7.8
    19 Schlussel von Bremen  930 7.8
    20 British Defender 938  7.8
    21 La Poste  1059  7.2
    22 With Integrity  1335 6.5
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    3  

	Steinlager II crossed the line at about 5.00 (BST) yesterday
	to win the final leg, and the race overall. 

	Fisher & Paykel was about 30 minutes behind, with Merit finishing
	a couple of hours later, and Rothmans crossing the line in the 
	early hours of this morning, after having to anchor in the Solent
	due to lack of wind.

	This final leg finishing order is the same as the overall race
	order for these four boats.

	Peter Blake, who was naturally quite elated, said that they had a
	scary moment about 4 days into the final leg, when a chain plate,
	holding one side of the split main backstay and part of the mizzen
	rigging, broke. A very quick gybe prevented the loss of both masts
	and a replacement was fashioned from part of the engine mountings.
	F&P also nearly lost their mizzen when part of the rigging parted.
	Blake said that on Steinlager "the mizzen was waving around like
	spaghetti", and on F&P "the mizzen fell back so far that the boom hit
	the deck"

	Looking out of our Fareham office window, which is about 5 miles from
	the finishing line, there is no wind at all, but bright sunshine could
	bring a sea breeze later, so the might be quite a gap before the next
	group, thought to include Belmont ( as UBS, the winner 4 years ago ),
	The Card and UBF.

	An interesting statistic was that the first race, run in 1973/4 was 
	won by Great Britain II at an average speed of 7.8 knots. Steinlager's
	average, was about 10.5. Both yachts are of a similar size. Part of the
	difference can be explained by this years course being different, but
	mostly it points to enormaous differences in the way these yachts are
	built and sailed. Steinlager is reputed to have had 119 sails made for
	it since it was launched.

	Peter Blake is the only person to have sailed in all 5 races, and has
	vowed that this was his last.

	More news as it arrives,
    
    	Chris
    

    VICTORIOUS STEINLAGER
    Chris has already given details from on the spot coverage of
    Steinlager's final victory. A few excerpts from today's Irish times
    and other fleet positions:
    
    Steinlager crossed the finishing line at 1623 GMT yesterday, taking 17
    days, 00 hours and 15 seconds for the 3,800 mile leg from Fort
    Lauderdale.
    The damage to the mizzen chainplate was almost a disaster four days
    from the start. It was repaired by fashioning a temporary anchorage
    from an engine bearer which was bolted to the side of the hull.
    The yacht raced neck and neck with F&P on the final stages, pulling
    away past the Needles before turning up Southampton water.
    
    Argos positions yesterday
    
    1. STEINLAGER  FINISHED
    2. F&P  FINISHED @ 1659 IN 17 DAYS, 00 HOURS AND 40 SECONDS. 9.3 KTS
    3  MERIT   32 TO GO 9.2
    4  ROTHMANS 78 TO GO  9.2
    5  BELMONT FINLAND  94  9.2
    6  THE CARD  95  9.2
    7  FORTUNA  104  9.1
    8  FAZISI  136  9.1
    9  UBF  185  8.9
    10 EQUITY & LAW  246  8.8
    11 NCB IRELAND  355  8.6
    12 GATORADE  356  8.6
    13 CHARLES JOURDAN  393  8.5
    14 LIVERPOOL ENTERPRISE  400  8.5
    15 CREIGHTONS NATURALLY  472  8.3
    16 L'ESPRIT DE LIBERTE  667  7.8
    17 RUCANOR SPORT  742  7.6
    18 MAIDEN 748  7.6
    19 SCHLUSSEL VON BREMEN 758  7.5
    20 BRITISH DEFENDER 783  7.5
    21 LA POSTE  890  7.2
    22 WITH INTEGRITY  1161 6.5
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Many thanks to Tom, Marcel, and others for their postings on this event
    over the past several months.
    
    ... Bob
    

    A enthusiastic second to Bob's message!!  The coverage of the race has 
    been fantastic throughout.  A hearty well done to all of the
    contributors! 
    
    Brian 
    
    P.S. Does anyone know of videos to be produced on this year's race
    other than the ESPN one?  I greatly enjoyed Drum as narrated by Skip
    Novak and crew.  It would be interesting to see one of Maiden and the
    story behind their getting into the race.    

    One possible source would be New Zealand TV!  I was in the UK a couple
    of weeks ago and shared B&B accomodations with Tony Leishmann (sp?) -
    the anchor commentator assigned to the race by the NZ network.
    
    Turns out that NZ TV got very interested in the race and had a crew
    following the venues from Punta to Ft Lauderdale to Southhampton.  He
    was collecting shore based material in prepartation for the arrival. 
    After agreeing that the Kiwis had a lot to be proud of in this race,
    the sentimental choice of his audience is clearly MAIDEN.
    
    Ron
    

    A hearty thanks for this note -- there'll be a few more wrap
    up entries for this race, I hope.
    
                                AND
    
    Congratulations Steinlager II and Peter Blake.  A clean sweep!!
    Yaahooo!!  That's winning in style!

    LIGHT WINDS DELAY ARRIVALS
    Since Steinlager & F&P crossed the line on Tuesday a drop in winds has
    slowed other arrivals. By midday yesterday only five others have
    crossed the line.
    Merit finished at 1843 GMT on Tuesday having taken 17 days, 2 hours and
    43 minutes and 45 seconds to complete the leg. Beating off the
    challenge of Rothmans she retained her 3rd place overall.
    The Merit crew were very animated when they berthed at Ocean village.
    The skipper was thrown in, followed by several of the crew.
    Pierre Fehlmann commented, " I am proud to be the first in the sloop
    class and I think it was more exciting in the sloop class than the
    ketch class."
    
    Rothmans finished fourth taking 17 days, 12 hours, 50 minutes and 3
    seconds to complete the leg.
    
    Yesterday Roger Nilson's ketch The Card crept slowly over the line to
    take 5th place for the leg and overall. She finished just after midday,
    having struggled to pass through the Solent during the previous night.
    The wind which assisted the first boats gradually disappeared leaving
    those still at sea frustrated as their elapsed times grew longer.
    
    NCB Ireland was due to finish early this morning. At 1641 GMT yesterday
    she was 143 miles from the finish.
    
    Charles Jourdan has fared badly on this leg. She is a light weight
    flyer and at present is placed 13th with over 200 miles still to go.
    
    One and a half hours after The Card Belmont Finland crossed the line at
    1235 GMT. This was her best result of the six legs, her previous
    highest being 9th on the fifth leg.
    
    Argos positions @1641 GMT 23 May
    1  Steinlager  finished 1623 22 May
    2  F&P   1659  22 May
    3  Merit  1843 22 May
    4  Rothmans 0450 23 May
    5  The Card  1107 23 May
    6  Belmont Finland  1235 23 May
    7  Fortuna  1344  23 May
    8  Fazisi 44 to go average 8.8
    9  UBF  75  8.7
    10 Equity & Law  91  8.7
    11 NCB Ireland  143 8.5
    12 Gatorade  163 8.5
    13 Charles Jourdan 172  8.5
    14 Liverpool Enterprise  200 8.4
    15 Creightons Naturally 306 8.3
    16 L'esprit de Liberte 577 7.5
    17 Rucanor Sport 634 7.4
    18 Maiden 638 7.4
    19 Schlussel von Bremen 638 7.4
    20 British Defender  653 7.4
    21 La Poste  694 7.3
    22 With Integrity 993  6.6
    
    I am sure there will be a few wrap up items to add to this note before
    I can wish you all "good sailing".
    Last night in the Galway Sailing Club after our Wednesday league race
    (in which my own boat "Subadar" did extremely badly!) I met a New
    Zealand visitor named John Warren whose son has been on NCB for the
    entire race. Obviously the NZ TV coverage has been much better than our
    own and it would appear that the entire NZ population were backing
    their two brilliant crews.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

	When they rejoined the race after their stop for rigging repairs,
	they were about 230 miles behind the leaders. By taking a different
	course, and staying in the Gulf Stream longer, they pulled most of
	this difference back within a few days. When they approached the
	leaders, they decided that they couldn't win by simply following them,
	so took a gamble and went south. 
	
	For a while this looked like it might have paid off, but the wind
	didn't shift as expected and Rothmans got stuck in a hole off the
	French coast.

	They also suffered from lack of wind after entering the Solent, and
	had to anchor off Lymington ( about 10 miles from the line ) for two
	hours and wait for the tide to turn. ( I know the feeling ! )

	Earlier they had hit something floating in the water, which punched
	a hole the size of a football in their false bow. This did not affect
	their watertightness, but must have slowed them a little.

	Other news, Maiden has only enough food to last until tonight 
	(Thursday ), but are not expected to arrive until Saturday night.

	Both of the Kiwi ketches have been sold, Steinlager to Georgio Falck
	who was in charge of the 'Gatorade' project this time ( I think ), and
 	Fisher & Paykel to the Aga Kahn, who will use it as a promotional
	vehicle for his Costa Smerelda restort.

	An Australian group have announced an entry for the next race ( their
	first , I think ) as has Ted Turners son, whose name escapes me at
	present.

	Chris

	More news on Rothmans

	When they rejoined the race after their stop for rigging repairs,
	they were about 230 miles behind the leaders. By taking a different
	course, and staying in the Gulf Stream longer, they pulled most of
	this difference back within a few days. When they approached the
	leaders, they decided that they couldn't win by simply following them,
	so took a gamble and went south. 
	
	For a while this looked like it might have paid off, but the wind
	didn't shift as expected and Rothmans got stuck in a hole off the
	French coast.

	They also suffered from lack of wind after entering the Solent, and
	had to anchor off Lymington ( about 10 miles from the line ) for two
	hours and wait for the tide to turn. ( I know the feeling ! )

	Earlier they had hit something floating in the water, which punched
	a hole the size of a football in their false bow. This did not affect
	their watertightness, but must have slowed them a little.

	Other news, Maiden has only enough food to last until tonight 
	(Thursday ), but are not expected to arrive until Saturday night.

	Both of the Kiwi ketches have been sold, Steinlager to Georgio Falck
	who was in charge of the 'Gatorade' project this time ( I think ), and
 	Fisher & Paykel to the Aga Kahn, who will use it as a promotional
	vehicle for his Costa Smerelda restort.

	An Australian group have announced an entry for the next race ( their
	first , I think ) as has Ted Turners son, whose name escapes me at
	present.

	Chris

    

    ENGLISH EXPECTS TO DO BETTER
    NCB Ireland crossed the finish line yesterday at 0629 to an emotional
    welcome in 11th place and 12th overall. Gentle north easterly breezes
    forced her to beat up the Solent to the finish line.
    This was a major first for Ireland, the successful finish was a
    remarkable achievement for a team who started with an empty Ballyfermot
    factory in 1987. Now with the prospect of two Irish entries in the next
    race, for Joe and his crew it will have been worthwhile.
    While disappointed with his final placing he was already outlining
    plans for the next attempt. Growth in world interest, particularly in
    the United States, is likely to make the next event quite different.
    
    NCB broke her runners three days out from Fort Lauderdale. New ones
    were fashioned utilising anchors. They broke again on the Grand Banks
    and were again repaired. Part of her anchor chain held the rig up where
    the end of a spreader had broken.
    Plans are at an advanced stage for her arrival home in Dun Laoghaire
    harbour on June 10th.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

	CLS Argos report 24-May-1990
	____________________________


	Pos	Yacht				Finished in
						 D  H  M  S
	-----------------------------------------------------

	01	Steinlager 2			17:00:23:15
	02 	Fisher & Paykel NZ		17:00:59:40
	03	Merit				17:02:43:45
	04	Rothmans			17:12:50:03
	05	The Card			17:19:07:25
	06	Belmont Finland II		17:20:35:27
	07	Fortuna Extra Lights		17:21:44:56
	08	Fasizi				18:04:21:09
	09	Union Bank of Finland		18:06:08:57
	10	Equity & Law II			18:10:08:48
	11	NCB Ireland			18:13:29:10
	12	Gatorade			18:14:44:49
	13	Charles Jourdan			18:16:01:34

	The others are still out at sea.

	The Combined elapsed times (C.E.T.) in Days, Hours, 
	Minutes and Seconds.

	* = Modified by the International jury:

	Pos	Yacht				   C.E.T.
						 D  H  M  S
	-----------------------------------------------------

	01	Steinlager 2			128:09:40:30
	02 	Fisher & Paykel NZ		129:21:18:22
	03 *	Merit				130:10:10:14
	04	Rothmans			131:04:54:23
	05	The Card			135:07:15:43
	06 *	Charles Jourdan			136:15:14:51
	07	Fortuna Extra Lights		137:08:14:11
	08 *	Gatorade			138:14:30:12
	09 *	Union Bank of Finland		138:16:38:12
	10	Belmont Finland II		139:04:31:13
	11	Fasizi				139:09:01:04
	12	NCB Ireland			139:19:22:38

    The biggest welcome of all was reserved for "Maiden" who arrived
    Sunday lunchtime. Their final days were dogged by a serious leak,
    blown out sails, no wind and no food. 
    
    They ended the leg 4th in class, but 2nd for the whole race.
    
    Tracy Edwards, the Skipper and driving force behind the whole effort,
    said she would do it again, the crew apparantly all said "no way",
    " But I know them better than that " said Tracy.
    
    The crew also said they did not miss male company, but "talked about
    them 99.9% of the time"
    
    The last 3 boats, La Poste, Satquote British Defender , and With
    Integrity are expected today or tomorrow.
    
    Chris.
    

    
    I have seen it somewhere before, but can't remember whether it
    was in the notes file, so here goes:
    
    Steinlager II has been bought by Giorgio Falck, an Italian business
    man who also owns Gatorade. No details were made available about the
    the price tag.
    
    In addition to what Chris reported in -.1:
    
    Maiden's elapsed time for the last leg was 22 days, 17 hours, 59
    minutes and 8 seconds, her total time finishing 19th was 167 days, 
    3 hours, 6 minutes and 53 seconds.
    
    After Steinlager's finish, the arrival of Maiden was the big talking
    point in Southampton. For days the crowds lining the waterfront waited,
    but the present bout of glorious weather over Southern England has been
    totally unhelpful to the sailors and every carefully worked out ETA had
    to be scrapped.
    
    At long last, however, Maiden eased her way into the Solent early
    yesterday morning and, accompanied by an armada of supporter craft,
    (it was a pretty impressive sight on TV, MS) she completed the final 20
    miles to the finish.
    
    Edwards said: "The last few days have been miserable. Maiden is not
    good upwind, in fact she is lousy. However, they told us it was
    impossible, but we did it !"
    
    "I never dreamed of coming second in Division D, only of coming first.
    There is no pleasure in racing where there's no wind. I just wanted to
    get there, but kept thinking we are racing. It's hard to keep the right
    mental attitude when there's no wind and the tide is pushing you
    backwards.
    
    With regard to the differences with a women crew, she said: "It
    surprised us that we just moulded together. But the biggest difference,
    of course, is that women talk more."
    
    She thought she now knew the cause of the leak in MAiden that was such
    a nuisance on the fourth and sixth leg. It is embarrasingly simple, and
    quite easy to fix. It's a cockpit drain.
    
    With the attention on Maiden, the boats that beat her into Southampton
    tended to be overlooked. Earlier in the race she had appeared to be a
    likely Division D winner overall, indeed she led after the first three
    legs. But then she faltered, while Patrick Taberley's L'Esprit de
    Liberte began to take the initiative. By the end of the fourth leg,
    Esprit was ahead on combined time and remained there to the finish.
    
    After encountering icebergs and gales during their journey, the women
    on Maiden had the frustration of virtually becoming becalmed on the
    final leg of the race, tantalisingly delaying their return home. But
    the wait was worth it. As the gun boomed out to signal their arrival,
    the crew jumped for joy and hugged eachother.
    
    They'd run out of food and were reduced to emergency rations, including
    popcorn, for the final days. But waiting for them was a feast of
    cheeseburgers, large fries and chocolate milkshakes - all washed down
    with champagne. 

    NCB IRELAND RETURNS HOME.
    On Sunday June 10th NCB returned to Dun Laoghaire to a really warm
    welcome,and a 13 gun salute from the army.
    A flotilla of yachts escorted her up Dalkey Sound and hundreds
    were on the west Pier to cheer her into harbour.
    The Taoiseach, Charlie Haughey was there on his yacht Celtic Mist and
    presented each of the crew with a commemorative scroll. In return, Joe
    English presented Charlie with the ensign flown from NCB's backstay in
    each of the stop-over ports. "Something to put on your mantlepiece" he
    said. One wag in the crowd was overheard to mutter, "at least it was'nt
    a broken boom!"
    
    Here in Galway members of my own club have got together and chartered
    "With Integrity" to compete in the Round Ireland race which starts in
    Wexford on 23rd June. She will be renamed Spirit of Galway for that
    event.
    
    Angela O'Farrel has returned to Dublin from Maiden and is competing in
    the World half ton cup event in Howth. At the time of writing Gorden
    Maguire ex-NCB crew member who defected to Rothmans after the first leg
    is leading the series in the half tonner Innovation Group.
    Commenting on the Southern Ocean Angela said that she has seen equally
    big seas right here on the West of Ireland.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Final Times, from Channel 4 ( UK )/Yachts & Yachting.
    
    				days Hours Min.
    
    1.  Steinlager		128   09   40
    2.  Fisher & Paykel         129   21   18
    3.  Merit                   130   10   10
    4.  Rothmans                131   04   54
    5.  The Card                135   07   15
    6.  Charles Jourdan         136   15   14
    7.  Fortuna Extra Lites     137   08   14
    8.  Gatorade                138   14   30
    9.  U.B.F.                  138   16   38
    10. Belmont                 139   04   31
    11. Fazisi                  139   09   01
    12. NCB Ireland             139   19   22
    13. Satquote Brit. Defender 143   12   42
    14. Liverpool Enterprise    151   04   52
    15. Martela OF              Ret'd ( ! ) leg 4
    
    1.  Equity & Law            148   23   50
    
    1.  L'Esprit de Liberte     164   21   36
    2.  Maiden                  167   03   06
    3.  Schlussel Von Bremen    167   19   07
    4.  La Poste                181   22   56
    5.  Rucanor Sport           ret'd Leg 4, but then finished the course.
    
    1.  Crieghtons Naturally    162   06   35
    2.  With Integrity          170   16   19
    
    Chris.
    

    Hi Tom,
    
 >   On Sunday June 10th NCB returned to Dun Laoghaire to a really warm
 >   welcome,and a 13 gun salute from the army.
 >   A flotilla of yachts escorted her up Dalkey Sound and hundreds
 >   were on the west Pier to cheer her into harbour.

    I was there on the end of the West pier at the time, I tried to
    count the number of boats out but failed, a rough guess was in the
    order of 100-150. Everything from sailboards to Navy frigates. Most
    of the yachts were trying to enter the harbour mouth just behind
    NCB but as they could not all fit there were quite a few minor collisions
    inbetween the pierheads.
    
>    Here in Galway members of my own club have got together and chartered
>    "With Integrity" to compete in the Round Ireland race which starts in
>    Wexford on 23rd June. She will be renamed Spirit of Galway for that
>    event.

    Perhaps you might let them know it starts in Wicklow not Wexford
    before they set off! :-) I wish them the best of luck, it's great
    to see so many serious Irish entries this time around. Are you sailing
    in the race yourself?

    Many thanks again for all the entries you have made in this topic
    during the Whitbread, your efforts were well appreciated here, without
    this notes file I'd never have been able to keep so up to date on
    what was happening. Thanks also for sending crusing information
    to my cousin Robert Strunz a few days ago, it's a small world!
    
    Regards,
    
    	Aedan Coffey.

        And thanks to all whose entries in this note let the rest of us
        follow this fantastic race from  our terminals.  This note really
        help many of us survive the withdrawls of winter.
        
        I missed the coverage on ESPN last night, but will set up our 
        VCR for this Thursday AM broadcast. This coverage is one
        'sporting' event that my wife wants a front row seat for.
        
        Again, Tom, Thank You.
        
        Fred
        

    First, THANKYOU Tom for the wonderful coverage!
    
    Secondly, the ESPN show last night supposedly covered the last leg, but
    also had great highlights from the rest of the race.  Shots from the
    Southern ocean, Martela rescue, injuries, dismasting in Aukland, etc. 
    Very good show.  They (ESPN) are offering a highlights video for
    $29.95.
    
    Dave

    I have to expres my thanks too. If it wasn't for this note the US would
    have virtually no coverage of the race. ESPN was good for a half hour
    fix every random month or two, but I never could get the schedule
    correct and missed most of it. It was okay cause I already knew the 
    present position of each boat. I'd like to see a US entry so there'd 
    be some extra leak of information into the states. 
    
    	This note was great, Thanks!!
    	Geoff
    
    	BTW: Stienlager is pretty decent beer, a dry flavor, but it tends
    to give me a headache.

    Glad to know that you enjoyed this note, actually it was a pleasure
    doing it as it made sure that I kept up to date with what was going on
    myself!
    I heard on the news over the weekend that Tracy Edwards of Maiden was
    awarded the MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list. She obviously had
    a fan in high places, much deserved I would think.
    With Integrity re-named Spirit of Galway for the Round Ireland race
    has been delivered to Dublin by our local Galway crew. From what I can
    gather they found that it was no holiday sailing her over from the
    south of England. I would expect that they are in for an even greater
    shock when they start to race the beast on 23rd of this month!
    I will try to give you some coverage on the race in due course, as
    Rothmans, Merit, NCB and Maiden are all due to take part. I think
    Steinlager is in there too.
    Gordon Maguire ex Rothmans and NCB won the world championship half ton
    cup in Howth last Friday sailing "Innovation Group".
    Actually the Round Ireland race is an interesting 750 mile non stop
    circuit and entries this year are way up around 100 or so, it is
    attracting some hot competitors.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Tom,
       Do you know if the crews that sailed the Whitbread are crewing
    the yachts in the round Ireland race? I rather gather that most
    of the yachts have been sold. On a footnote (no pun intended) The
    two driving forces behind Creighton's ,including the skipper, were
    formally employed by the Royal Yachting Association as legal advisor
    and Cruising sec(I think). The legal man was reputed to say that
    his next event ,having just completed the Whitbread will be the
    "lawyers cup" aka the America's cup. Saw Valesheda in the Solent
    yesterday and I am always overawed when I see her, a graceful pyramid
    of sail.
    
    Enjoyed your coverage of the Whitbread, thanks to you and your collegue
    who covered for you when you were absent.
    
    Pete 

    Pete,
    Don't really know how many of the origional crews are remaining with
    the boats. Quite a few on NCB I would think but I would suspect that
    there will be a number who have gone on to other things. Spirit of
    Galway (ex-With Integrity) has come over with the skipper and her
    mechanic. The skipper is there just to give back up advice, she will
    be tactically skippered by local sailor John Killeen during the Round
    Ireland race. A member of the crew will be yachting journalist Enda
    O'Coineen who was on her for Leg2 in the Whitbread. He is also from
    Galway and has an interesting background - quite mad - having crossed
    the Atlantic in a rubber dinghy a few years ago, he also did the
    OSTAR a few years back in a 22 footer, subsequently he lost her on a
    Carribean reef whilst cruising after the race.
    I hope to get a few bits of info from John Killeen and will put them
    into this note. He has promised a phone call as they pass Galway on the
    way round the island.
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Fazisi appeared Wednesday afternoon (june 20th) in Hamilton Harbor, Bermuda,
    and drew loud cheers from those on the 65 or so boats that had finished
    the race as of that time.  It sailed up the harbor, turned around and sailed
    back out.  I didn't hear where it ended up mooring.
    
    It's appearance was remarkable, with low freeboard middle, sharply raked
    upwards toward both the bow and stern.  Hull was solid red.
    
    /Don
    
    

    There was feverish activity in Wicklow on Saturday for the start of the
    Round Ireland race in which several of the ex-Whitbread maxis are
    taking part.
    Denis Doyle's 50-footer Moonduster holds the record for the 707 mile
    circuit in 88 hours, it is almost certain that one of the maxis will
    break this record.
    55 yachts crossed the starting line at 1100 on Saturday in a westerly
    15 knot wind. By 1800 on Sunday however, 14 boats had retired from the
    race. These included the Whitbread maxi Merit, who retired into Cork
    with a damaged mast at 0900 yesterday morning.
    The 1988 winner, Lightening, skippered by Liam Shanahan of the National
    Yacht Club also retired on Saturday afternoon with a damaged mast.
    
    Welsh boat Scenario Act 3 had not gone far when she was forced to
    retire into Arklow with radio problems. She was followed by Scenario
    with a holed hull. Also forced into Arklow was Amazing Grace with a
    damaged rudder.
    Dale Kirk's Barracuda 45 Krakit retired into Rosslaire with keel
    problems, sharing the port with J.Selby's Carter 42 Quickstep and Paul
    Kirwin's Shamrock 30 Boomerang.
    
    Dr.Owen Dennis's DB1 Debue retired into Dunmore East with a damaged
    hull. Padraic Monely also sailed into Dunmore with problem aboard his
    sloop Shogun of Aileac. Also making an early departure was D.D.OBrien's
    36 footer Live Wire.
    
    Further down the coast D.R. Peter's UFO34 Hustler from the Pwlhelli
    Sailing Club was forced into Crosshaven, while Brian McManus's Swan 40
    Finndabar of Howth returned with a broken shroud.
    Ian Lowe's GK 34 Strike 3 retired into Cork, while Tom Roche's DB2 Deja
    Blue retired into Kinsale last night.
    
    In the lead on line honours last night was Lawrie Smith in Rothmans.
    35 minutes behind her was NCB Ireland.
    Meanwhile that grand old man of the sea the Doyler in the record
    holding Moonduster was off the Fastnet after 32 hours and 40 minutes.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    ROTHMANS ON COURSE FOR A DOUBLE
    With about 200 miles to go Rothmans was set to win the 707 mile Round
    Ireland race and also break the record set by Denis Doyle in Moonduster
    in 1984. In addition she was threatening the fastest round Ireland set
    by Novanet in 1986 when she set a time of 70 hours 25 minutes and 16
    seconds.
    A total of 20 yachts had up to last night retired following the heavy
    weather experienced on Sunday off the south coast. All the yachts
    except the maxis had last night yet to reach the Blasket Islands.
    
    Rothmans, NCB Ireland and Mylene 5 had passed Eagle Island off the Mayo
    coast yesterday morning. At that time Rothmans was 2 hours and 10
    minutes ahead of NCB. A fourth maxi Woodchester Challenge passes
    Inishtearacht at 0230 yesterday.
    
    The remainder of the fleet is led by Patrick Reilly's Dubois 44
    Commanche Raider of Howth which passed the Fastnet at 1952 on Sunday.
    She is in 5th position overall.
    
    Yachts joining the retiral list are Emircedes after 19 hours and 42
    minutes; AIB Sailing Club retired into Crosshaven with electrics
    failure. Paragon was forced to retire just south of the Bull Rock.
    Eugene Casey's three quarter tonner By The way was forced into
    Crosshaven after 19 hours and 55 minutes with a broken gooseneck.
    
    At 1725 last night Rothmans was off Rathlin Island and at one stage it
    was predicted that she could finish at 0630 today.
    
    Latest news at lunchtime today was that NCB and Rothmans were becalmed
    within sight of each other off Carlingford Lough in the Irish Sea.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    f

    THE RECORD STILL STANDS
    Any chance of breaking Moonduster's Round Ireland record of 88 hours 15
    minutes and 43 seconds slipped from Rothman's grasp yesterday when she
    was becalmed off Belfast Lough.
    The fastest circumnavigation also remains with the Royal Ulster Yach
    Club for Novanet's time of 70 hours 25 minutes and 16 seconds.
    To beat Monduster's record the first yacht would have had to cross the
    finish line by 0415 this morning.
    The rest of the fleet is making slow but steady progress in the light
    winds and unfavourable tides as opposed to the near gale conditions on
    Saturday and Sunday.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    Rothmans was line boat into Wicklow at the end of the Round Ireland
    race, she crossed the line at 0056 yesterday. Contrary to earlier
    reports she did indeed beat the record, her elapsed time was 84 hours
    56 minutes and 6 seconds.
    NCB Ireland finished 1 hour and twenty minutes later also having beaten
    the 1984 record.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    

    While on vacation the last couple weeks, I had the chance to sail onthe
    Fasizi when it was in Boston. It was a 5 hour sail - not too exciting
    because of light winds. But I made a few observations.
    
     The crew is delightful - lots of fun and quite uninhibited. Their
    english spans from very good to non-existent. I talked to the "Project
    Manager" and he said that one of the most difficult problems to
    overcome was to get the crew to work as a team. This is unknown in the
    USSR. Scary though when cruising in the Roaring Forties. They have
    about 25 crew members which switch on and off as the race progressed.
    They are looking for both money and crew now.
    
     The rig is VERY strange, though I have zipp offshore experience so I
    am not in a position to judge. What I found curious is their version of
    runnning backstays. There are eight stays running aft from different
    points on the mast - 4 port 4 starboard. Each group of 4 come together
    a bit aft of the wheel (roughtly 2/3's the way aft. Ther is a big block
    at this point, and the stays are tightened or eased by manipulating
    this block. 
    
     So at one point we are coming about, and I watch the operation from as
    far aft as I could get. The leeward backstay block is RIGHT AT
    head level for anyone standing on deck (but not in the steering wells).
    That thing is dangerous. Also, there are the slack wires, slightly
    coiled, flying about. Now maybe they run the leeward backstay forward,
    and out of the way, but they didn't on this leisurly cruise. 
     
     I also watched them rig the main halliard to the mainsail. It must
    have taken them 5-10 minutes to get things right so that they could
    hoist the main. Guys at the grinders had to raise and lower the thing a
    few inches (at the order of the man rigging the halliard) in order to
    get the main hooked up and ready to hoist. Looked incredibly painful.
    
     Below, there was the ususal austerity you might expect. Starting forward 
    and heading aft you are in the foc'sle with some bunks and minimal
    storage. There is a bulkhead with a small openning looking forward, but
    the space looks hard to get to. Heading aft you find two passageways port 
    and starboard which take you around the galley - located roughly amidships.
    The galley looked pretty adequate. 
    
     However, directly aft was the engine. There was only a small space
    between the galley and thge engine. The lovely smell of diesel oil
    permeated the space - how palatable.
    
     Then you go aft through a starboard passageway into the navigators
    staion, which looked bereft of instrumentation - though this may be
    because they aren't really racing now. 
    
     There are 2 companionways below - both aft of the mast. The "hoods"
    over the companionways are made of metal and look very dangerous in a
    heavy sea. They are triangular in shape; stick up maybe 2.5 - 3 feet.
    
     All tackle was Harken and all winches were Barient. 
    
     I found it a fascinating cruise, and made some good friends - they
    gave me an address with which to communicate with them.
    
     They will be participating in the next Whitbread with the Fasizi - I
    wish them well.
    
    Gregg

    The L.A. Times reports that the big and expensive 80 foot ketches that
    dominated the recent Whitbread Round the World Race and the small,
    quixotic sloops that finished each leg days behind have been excluded
    from the 1993-94 event.  Instead, organizers have approved new 70- and
    60-foot classes with the intent of tightening the competition.
    
    Nance Frank of Annapolis, Md., who headed the all-woman crew that just
    missed the 1989-90 Whitbread for lack of sponsorship, has already
    entered the next event, along with Ted Turner Jr.
    
    Don

    Hi there,
    
    	That is not quite right there will be 2 divisions one of which will
    be under the IOR rule to maxi size, the other will be a 60ft new design
    rule. 
    	The course for the next whitbread was released at the southhampton
    boat show and it will be the same as last year but they have included a
    an island,whose name escapes me at the moment but it is 150 miles south
    of the cape of good hope, as a fairway mark to minimize the the time
    spent in the iceburgs in the southern ocean. The event will start 3
    weeks later than last time. 
    
    regards revel

	re: -1
    
>    	The course for the next whitbread was released at the southhampton
>    boat show and it will be the same as last year but they have included a
>    an island,whose name escapes me at the moment but it is 150 miles south
>    of the cape of good hope
    
    It's called Prince Edward Island, and according to my Time/System Map
    of the world, its about 800 miles SW of Cape of Good Hope.
    
    Chris.
    

    re -1,
    
>    It's called Prince Edward Island, and according to my Time/System Map
>    of the world, its about 800 miles SW of Cape of Good Hope.
    
    Sorry, this should read 'about 800 miles SE of Cape of Good Hope'
    
    Thats down and right on the map :-)
    
    Fortunately may race navigation is better than this !
    
    Chris
    

    The L.A. Times reports that New Zealand's Peter Blake and Britain's
    Robin Knox-Johnston will lead a bid to win the Jules Verne Challenge
    Trophy and $1 million by sailing around the world in less than 80 days,
    beginning next January from the English Channel.
    
    The record for a nonstop circumnavigation under sail is 109 1/2 days,
    set by France's Titouan Lamazou in a 59-foot monohull in 1989-90. 
    Blake and Knox-Johnston will sail an 85-foot catamaran.
    
    Don

Fortuna, the heavily modified maxi from last years race has just been re-launched
from Cowes. The hull of this light displacement flyer has been lengthened by
adding a 10 foot section in the middle, and it has been converted to a ketch
by the addition of a 100 foot mizzen ( only a couple of feet shorter than the
main mast )

I saw her on Saturday in the River Hamble, and the mizzen is pretty radical.
It is a carbon-fibre wing mast, several feet deep, and appears to be largely
self-supporting as there is very little rigging on it. It is also steeply
raked aft. The main mast appears to be normal.

The boat will be skippered by Lawrie Smith, with a crew drawn from the 
Rothmans and Fortuna crews from last time around.

The only other British interest is likely to be the new Whitbread 60, Dolphin,
which was originally built for a group of disabled sailors, but is now being
sailed by a combined group of disabled and youth sailors. Inspite of its intended
users, the boat is a flat-out design, the only concession being a few more hand
holds than normal. The youth element is provided by a group of sailors that 
were trying to put together a challenge of their own. Their skipper, John
Humphries, 23, stepped in when the disabled challenge seemed to be falling
apart through bad leadership. 10 of out 10 for enthuiasm, but don't expect this
lot to be among the leaders.

Chris