Virgin Money forced off course
DAY TWO ‘VIRGIN MONEY’ TRANSATLANTIC RECORD ATTEMPT:
FROM MISSION CONTROL, LONDON
DATE: 10/23/2008
TIME (GMT): 13:30
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.’
“BRUTAL BUT AMAZING”
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, said: ‘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, said: ‘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.
Sailor: Adam Boome blog:
“At the moment we’re really motoring … Imagine living on the waltzers at the fairground during a freezing storm and you’re almost there. Even the smallest task takes intense concentration and is very physically demanding. Can’t imagine how we will feel if this goes on for another 5 days, right up to the wire.”
Sailor: Sam Branson blog:
“We have been out here now just over 24 hours but it feels like 24 days. Leaving New York we had a magnificent sight of the Statue of Liberty and it wasn’t until then that it hit home what we were embarking on. The winds have been up to gale force 8 and we’ve had sea swells up to 35 feet and seen speeds of 30 knots. It is difficult trying to get used to having only three hours sleep and as the breast of the ship crashes over every wave a loud shudder runs down through the whole boat - brutal but amazing.”
ENDS
For further information:
General Press office
Tel: +44 207 111 1015
Jackie McQuillan, Group PR Director, Virgin Money
Tel: + 44 7905 309096
Jackie.mcquillan@virgin.com
Scott Mowbray, Head of PR, Virgin Money
Tel: +44 7906 444540
Scott.mowbray@virginmoney.com
Grant Bather, PR Manager, Virgin Money
Tel: +44 7834 844427
Grant.bather@virginmoney.com