Virgin Money forced off course
- Oct 23, 2008
DAY TWO 'VIRGIN MONEY' TRANSATLANTIC RECORD ATTEMPT:
FROM MISSION CONTROL, LONDON
ELAPSED JOURNEY TIME: 27 hrs 50 mins
DISTANCE COVERED: 500 miles
VIRGIN MONEY STATUS:
Boat's position: 38°22.04'N 062°37.63'W
Course over ground: 098T
Boat speed: 20.3 kts
Wind speed: 26.2 kts
Wind direction: 356T
Commanders Weather: 'Virgin Money has gone about 500 miles but unfortunately not exactly toward the finish. They have been forced south of rhumb line route by strong N winds and seas. They should be able to begin heading more toward the finish over the next few days.'
The team has been going for just over 24 hours and the first signs of fatigue are starting to show.
In preparation for the rough conditions forecast the crew on board Virgin Money has tried to get as much rest as possible before the predicted winds of up to 50kts hit their decks.
Race skipper Mike Sanderson, says: 'We are having a pretty rough trip out here but we need to get some sleep before it gets even more heinous tonight. Surviving on three hours sleep is not easy when you're getting battered on all sides by the elements.'
This morning Virgin Money and crew are still riding the same storm that pushed them passed Ambrose to start their attempt at this historical record attempt. The yacht has been pushed to its limits, facing fierce Northerly winds and high seas.
Navigator Stan Honey, says: 'We have two crossings of troughs where there will be areas of light air that we need to get through. The trough passages look ok on the GFS (global forecast system), but I've always found them to be tougher than forecast.'
With challenging conditions like these the team will need to concentrate on strategic navigating that will allow the boat to maintain good speeds in order to pass through these periods of light wind as fast as possible.
