Credit: OnEdition
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27th October 2009. Mike Golding Yacht Racing
Pictures of yachtsman Mike Golding (GBR) and co skipper Javier Sanso (ESP). Shown here whilst training their IMOCA Open 60 prior to the TJV start in Le Harve next month
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After a fast reaching first night in blustery conditions that saw the capsize of the Open 50’ Tri Actuel, the Open 60 'shad some respite before facing their first frontal system last night. Facing them however is the more daunting prospect of the second Atlantic depression which is a real whopper. Dee Caffari explains from onboard the Owen Clarke/Clay Oliver designed Aviva, presently in second place (red yacht on the chart) on the morning of the third day: “Brian (ed: co-skipper Brian Thompson) has been disturbing any chance of sleep he may have had the chance for during the night, as weather charts flash before his eyes. No joke we have downloaded every model possible from all available sources and there is no getting away from the next depression in the Atlantic. In fact it swamps the whole ocean and delivers an evil punch. We are having to face up to the fact that this week will be mainly spent sailing in uncomfortable conditions of which some or most is upwind. The winds are looking like they will reach in excess of 45 knots and with that will be a large and dangerous swell for the boats to battle through.” Meanwhile, Mike Golding and Javier (Bubi) Sanso on sistership Mike Golding Yacht Racing have settled in nicely, steadily moving up the fleet to sixth place, eight miles behind the lead boat BT. The Brit/Spanish pair are at the northern end of the group of a pack of four ‘lead’ boats. The fleet are now lining themselves up for the oncoming storm. At present there’s around two hundred miles difference in latitude between the most northern boat Hugo Boss and race favourite Foncia. |
