Our Mate Alex Thomson’s Races
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Samantha Fox, the pop singer from the 80s?
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Nope, lovely British Sailor - If Sam Fox the pop singer from the 80's was racing, she would need no added buoyancy…..
http://tekstovi-pesama.com/g_img2/0/s/241179/samantha%2520fox-3.jpg
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I was thinking much the same…
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This has been the most interesting thread. I've really enjoyed it.
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And they're not yet into the Southern Ocean.
If past performance is anything to go by, somewhere between a third and a half of the fleet will make it round.
And it's usually Alex who breaks something major. This time his boat is a generation older than some of the other boats, which is actually good - it is stronger (but heavier)…..
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Then I just read this update:
_There were no changes in position in the 2000hrs ranking, but the front of the fleet continued winning back some of the miles they lost in the Doldrums.
The top six continues to spread slowly with Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) having repairs to his genoa to make and Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) slower in these reaching conditions in his older generation boat._
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I don't know if you're a subscriber to The Daily Sail, but Alex and Mike Golding did a dock walk prior to the race, and commented that PRB is somewhat flimsy. I wouldn't want to be in the rough stuff on board her.
Fingers crossed that Alex doesn't break anything major this time in the Southern Ocean.
Forgot to say earlier, but I'm gutted that the lovely Sam Davies is out of the race.
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that image is incredible.
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The key issue which Alex describes above is to get into the next big weather system either first or furthest out in front. The current top 5 should pick up the next system, those further back may not. If they don't they basically don't have a hope, they will never be able to catch up. Once Alex and co are in the Southern Ocean with big weather, we'll start seeing some 500 mile days (and probably more broken boats)…..
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"Morning,
A very quiet night in terms of wind for me but lots of variation meaning little sleep again! I have a little wind again now but need to get some wind soon to be able to stop the rot from those to the west that have wind and will be increasing in the next few hours. Nothing I can do but hope this ridge of high pressure moves south east as forecast. The dye is cast, we will see what happens but the next 24 hours is crucial.
It’s a little nerve racking waiting but apart from that and being tired I am in fine form. The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day, praying the black clouds stay away! I may have another issue with the hydro in the form of a tiny oil leak so on the hunt for that and preparing the boat ready for the south."
