Konyukhov – Now within 1,800 miles of Albany finish
April 25, 2008 by www.antarticacup.com | 0 comments
Day 90: As Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov commences his 90th day at sea in this lonely quest to set a benchmark record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, the Russian adventurer must be wondering what more the weather gods can throw at him before the finish back at Albany, Western Australia.
05:11UTC 25 April 2008
Position: 49°21.54S , 81°56.82E
Course: 124° Speed: 6.9knots. Distance sailed since the start: 14,422.2 nm
Day 90: As Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov commences his 90th day at sea in this lonely quest to set a benchmark record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, the Russian adventurer must be wondering what more the weather gods can throw at him before the finish back at Albany, Western Australia.
This past week has been the most frustrating of all. No sooner had his 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa cleared the Kerguelen Islands last Monday, when the winds went light and boxed the compass for 12 hours. One moment he was heading south; the next he was going north, unable to make any headway towards Albany.
Today, he is facing another 50 knot howler from the north that could drive him down as far as 51°S. So much for any thoughts of climbing up into warmer latitudes!
Just what Fedor thinks about his zigzag course this past week is unclear because his satellite phone went down yesterday and he is now restricted to sending short e.mails. The problem may be as simple as a damp sim card, but finding a dry cloth to wipe it clean is not easy on a condensation-ridden boat that has been at sea for 3 months!
Weather router Lee Bruce surmised
“I learn that Fedor has been wondering if he should have sailed farther south a few days ago. Not so. The chart for 24 April 1800UTC suggests that he would have been in an even tougher position now had he started out farther south in this northerly gale. The north wind extends for more than 1800 nautical miles, from 30S to 58S! So there was no option to escape – only to limit its effect.
Fedor has been sailing about as fast as he has at any time since he left Albany, but my guess is that he’s actually trying to slow the boat down, to limit the southing. And although he’d like to sail more easterly, he’s limited by the wave action. It’s a fine balance between protecting the boat and aiming for the finish. Once the north wind moves through, conditions will become variable, and then there will be a risk of 40 knots gusting 50 knots SW wind. Fedor is amazingly resilient, but my guess is that even he will be very glad when this is over!”
Stop Press: Contact with Fedor has rbeen restored: His shore team report:
‘Condition are tough and Fedor is doing his best to limit southing. His main concern is the boat which is under enormous stress from massive swells that are crashing over the stern threatening rudder tillers and all antennas (GPS, Sat-C, Iridium and etc)
His tactic is to sail with the wind and waves. Slowing the boat down is not the best option. Instead he is trying to keep the boat on a ‘safe’ angle to the waves, while at the same time, maintain some easterly heading and at the same time try to maintain eastern heading
Fedor has been living on tea and coffee without sleep for the past 24 The autopilots are working at their limit and he has to change them over every hour. We asked Fedor what he wish for at these circumstances, expecting to hear: better weather, fresh food or less cold. Instead, he said “one more person on board. I like it out here, but sometimes it is very hard to rely only on just yourself while keeping everything working and making decisions. It would be nice to share a cup of tea and a chat with someone else. We could push the boat and enjoy every aspects of the weather even these 50 knot Northerly winds. Perhaps next time!”
