Golding poised for Vendee lead
It's not a question of "if" there will be another breakage in the Vendee Globe but "when" and "who" I said in this morning's blog. Well it turned out that it was just a few hours later that leader Jean-Pierre Dick's boat Paprec-Virbac 2 hit something that kicked up his starboard rudder.
He says that the connecting arm which joins the two rudders is broken and that the rudder stock is also damaged. Dick has been forced to slow his boat and is now sailing with only his port rudder down.
During the last position report he was sailing at nearly 12 kts an hour in heavy winds of between 35 and 40 kts, while second placed Mike Golding was screaming along at just under 20 kts.
Dick's misfortune is Golding's opportunity. Unless the Frenchman can effect a quick repair, he will be overtaken in a matter of hours and the leader board will be showing a British name for the first time in the race.
The downside for Golding is that he can't afford to slack off since Roland Jourdain and Michel Desjoyeaux are both breathing down his neck. In fact, I suspect he will be feeling slightly uncomfortable, leading, with so much French talent on his tail. But it's a great opportunity nevertheless. Golding has worked as hard as anyone to be in this position. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for him. There's such a long way to go.
He says that the connecting arm which joins the two rudders is broken and that the rudder stock is also damaged. Dick has been forced to slow his boat and is now sailing with only his port rudder down.
During the last position report he was sailing at nearly 12 kts an hour in heavy winds of between 35 and 40 kts, while second placed Mike Golding was screaming along at just under 20 kts.
Dick's misfortune is Golding's opportunity. Unless the Frenchman can effect a quick repair, he will be overtaken in a matter of hours and the leader board will be showing a British name for the first time in the race.
The downside for Golding is that he can't afford to slack off since Roland Jourdain and Michel Desjoyeaux are both breathing down his neck. In fact, I suspect he will be feeling slightly uncomfortable, leading, with so much French talent on his tail. But it's a great opportunity nevertheless. Golding has worked as hard as anyone to be in this position. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for him. There's such a long way to go.
Labels: Michel Desjoyeaux, Mike Golding, Paprec-Virbac 2, Roland Jourdain, Vendee Globe
posted by Richard Donkin at
4:22 PM
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