| Race Leaders Head for the Equator |
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 Kojiro Shiraishi, the lone Japanese entry in the VELUX 5 OCEANS, the world’s toughest solo round-the-world race continues to close in on the race leader, Bernard Stamm (SUI). With 382 nautical miles separating first and second place the leaders are passing through the Doldrums on their way to the Equator. Mid-fleet in fourth place, Alex Thomson recorded the fastest VMG (Velocity Made Good) overnight (the fastest route from A to B taking into account other factors, such as wind speed, direction and current), as he surfed down the waves towards the Cape Verde islands which Mike Golding (GBR) passed during the night.Behind him, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston leads the chasing pack of three. Graham Dalton remains in Porto Santo where he must stay for a minimum of 48 hours (under race regulations) while he seeks to fix his loose rudder bearings. Unai Basurko (SPN) aboard ‘Pakea’ is now enjoying life out in the open water following his two stops in Spain. Mike Golding (GBR): “Passing 15miles west of Santo last night (the westernmost of the Cape Verde group) marked a transition between a spinnaker running and power reaching with code sails. Because I was close to the mountainous island the inevitable interference wind kept me very busy getting the right combination set for the charge towards the Doldrums today. The good news was that we did not stop. Now we are reaching at 14 knots and I have at last had some decent rest in the cool of the early morning.” Alex Thomson (GBR): “Finally we have the trade winds and ‘Hugo Boss’ has been revelling in them, surfing down waves at over 20 knots at times! Yesterday morning the wind veered to the north-east and I gybed and headed for the equator. I had hoped to continue on starboard for a while longer and thereby clear the Cape Verde islands but alas no, my course has taken me straight for them. It’s no major problem, but land has an effect on the wind and these islands are very high, causing big wind shadows downwind of them. The other problem is of the course afterwards, towards the Doldrums and equator. By leaving the islands to the east, the wind angle thereafter is better and faster and it allows a larger choice of Doldrum crossing. By passing through the Cape Verde Islands, I may end up crossing the Doldrums in a less favourable position, but on the other hand it may be the perfect place. During the Vendée Globe I passed through the Cape Verde Islands and had a relatively easy Doldrum crossing so this is not unfamiliar territory. However, the boats behind got trapped in light winds for ages, leaving them nearly a 1000 nm behind the leaders, so I am quite anxious about it. Related Items:
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