New Cape Horners, Near Misses & Weather Warnings – It’s Been Hectic!
Royal Yacht Squadron to Host McIntyre Ocean Globe finish.
The Leaderboard and IRC Table Changes Dramatically!!
- French yacht Pen Duick VI FR (14) due to arrive in Punta del Este evening of 13th February. Maiden UK (03), Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) and Neptune FR (56) due 15th.
- Triana FR (66) now leading in IRC after Translated 9 ITL (09) forced to withdraw from Leg 3.
- Six more yachts successfully pass Cape Horn in ‘traditional’ Cape Horn wind and waves. Sterna SA (42) and Explorer AU (28) last to complete the infamous passage in strong winds. Weather warning issued for Explorer.
- Royal Yacht Squadron to host the McIntyre Ocean Globe finish in April.
It’s been a very dramatic few days in the Ocean Globe Race. The Italian IRC leader Translated 9 ITL (09) has retired from Leg 3 after being forced to divert to the Falkland Islands to repair cracks in the hull of the Swan 65, following three severe broaches and a knockdown in heavy weather. This resulted in the biggest change in the race rankings since the start last September. Six more yachts have successfully completed the notorious Cape Horn passage resulting in 61 new Cape Horners. Most experienced severe weather, the worst of the race so far approaching the Horn. Some made very ‘strange’ tactical decisions with their landfall. Many weather warnings, near whale misses, big seas and if that’s not enough, love in the very chilly air with the fleet planning on sending Valentine’s Day messages to each other. If it’s action you’re after? The OGR tracker is the screen to be at!
At the time of writing, Pen Duick VI FR (14), skippered by Marie Tabarly is holding clear line honours and is due to arrive into Punta del Este first on 13th February, two days ahead of the rest – just in time for the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Yacht Club Punta del Este. Maiden UK (03), Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) and Neptune FR (56) – all former Whitbread entrants, are due to arrive on the 15th. Maiden is leading Spirit of Helsinki by approx. 10 miles so it’s anyone’s call – the friendly rivalry is obviously very intense between these two!!
But it’s not only the leaderboard that is proving very interesting – what has made the withdrawal of the Italian Swan 65 Translated 9 ITL (09) from Leg 3 so dramatic is the effect it’s had on the IRC rankings. Triana FR (66) a Swan 53, one of the smallest yachts in the fleet (Sterna – the other Swan 53), is now FIRST in IRC rankings. The French yacht, skippered by Jean d’Arthuys, rounded Cape Horn at 21:30 UTC in 45-knot winds earlier in the week. First mate Sébastien Audigane and crew have continually surprised many with their speeds – keeping up with the larger yachts in the fleet. Sitting fifth on the leaderboard at present is impressive enough, but not nearly as jaw-dropping as their first IRC placing. It is without a doubt down to their consistent drive to succeed, and constant sail changes.
Skipper Jean has said recently that he now has what he considers the ‘perfect’ young crew – so much so that he and first mate Sébastien could simply retire and have a rest – whilst his team takes control. Not too sure how Sébastien, or in fact the crew, would feel about that?
To follow all the action, check out www.oceangloberace.com
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