GGR 2022

[Slark]

From FB:
ENTRANT UPDATE : Abhilash TomyOfficial Called #GGR2022 at 0852UTC to advise Failure of his Wind Pilot self steering gear and that he had used up all his Spare Pendulum Blades in previous failures. At 0852UTC he confirmed he has lashed the tiller and is now considering all options. At 0405UTC GGR had given Abhilash his position and a weather forecast as he was sailing along a LEE SHORE with increasing winds over the next 24 hours. This is that forecast.....You 15th at 0400Z 52. 41.68S 76 32.75 W 0700Z SW26 G35 S4.2SW 1300Z SW30 G40 S4.9 1900Z S31 G41 S5.6 16th 0200 S23 G33 S4.8 0800 SW14 G22 S3.8 good luck! The GGR tracker was set at hourly at that time. He has requested no assistance and is in control of the situation. GGR will update as more information becomes available.

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

It’ll be really interesting to see how he deals with this. From the outside, looks very challenging. (But I wasn’t aware until reading, a few mins ago, that they all must carry a back up electronic autopilot for emergencies. Does using that, in extremis, earn you some sort of time penalty?)

Meanwhile, there goes the chance for a possibly interesting “duel” up the Atlantic between K and A. Wake me up when it’s all over…or maybe K can stop for a rum in the Caribbean, waiting for Gugg to catch up, and they match race across the Atlantic back to Les Sables.

 

[Your Mom]

Ian for the podium

 

[Jambalaya]

Gutted for Ablish, he was in a great battle with Kirsten. All we hope for now is that he can repair somehow and continue maybe in Chichester Class ?

To Kirsten we say "go girl" !

She can afford to ease up a little now and sail conservatively

 

[OPAL]

Abhilash not in a great place, in more ways than one.

 

[Kolibri]

Abhilash not in a great place, in more ways than one.

Yep...here's another way he's not in a great place:

 

[Cisco]

Chartlet of the coast currently about 20 miles under his lee.

 

[Slark]

Don't think Donnie will let another one hit the rocks.... But who knows.

I was really hoping Abhilash and Kirsten would duke it out up the Atlantic. I admit I am routing of Kirsten but think its less compelling for her to win if the next competitor is hundreds of miles away with a trail of boats with busted steering systems. Hoping Abhilash can fashion up a vane and continue.

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

Yep...here's another way he's not in a great place:

View attachment 575001

What do you mean exactly? What is that island at the end of the distance marked? A potential place to stop (but very difficult to reach?)?

 

[MiddayGun]

What do you mean exactly? What is that island at the end of the distance marked? A potential place to stop (but very difficult to reach?)?

I think it means its directly in his way, not much sea room to leeward and a big rock in front.

 

[Kolibri]

What do you mean exactly? What is that island at the end of the distance marked? A potential place to stop (but very difficult to reach?)?

MiddayGun has it about right. Not much room to leeward, big rock not too far in front of him, high wind, broken self-steering wind vane, and only so much time before he will need some sleep. I'm hoping the best for Abhilash. He's in a tough spot.

 

[Trocola]

Luckily the wind is forecasted to decrease turn north in a couple of hours. I guess the seastate won't be ideal...

 

[spyderpig]

At 1900Z 15th FEB Abhilash called to say he has made a new servo rudder from his spare rudder and hopes it holds for a few days at least. Kirsten now at horn (well a few miles south of there)

 

[Cisco]

Track run up 60 miles from his 1900z position. He also crosses the 100 fathom line which could make the sea state more 'interesting'.
There was a crazy kiwi bird man landed on Isla Noir quite a few years back. Boat name Tongariro or similar. Later lost in the Bounties or Antipodes

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

Track run up 60 miles from his 1900z position. He also crosses the 100 fathom line which could make the sea state more 'interesting'.
There was a crazy kiwi bird man landed on Isla Noir quite a few years back. Boat name Tongariro or similar. Later lost in the Bounties or Antipodes

View attachment 575014

Totorore Voyage, by Gerry Clark (but I hadn’t real he’d made it to Chile.)

 

[Jambalaya]

Totorore Voyage, by Gerry Clark.

Available used for £6.75 ... might have to add that to my list of bought but not read yet books

 

[Cisco]

Looks like he is heading to Paso Wakefield.
My 'South American Pilot Vol II, 1929 Ed' says this-
Grafton Islands - several sheltered inlets - best and easiest of access is Euston Bay. Northward of these islands lies Wakefield Passage , made use of sometimes by sealing vessels and presenting no difficulty.

Anchorages mentioned are Isla Isabel , Puerto Bolivar in the Islas John , Hope Harbour on James Island, and Euston mentioned above
2300Z position top left. 'Milky Way' - think Slocum - bottom right.

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

He just tacked! Looks like a favourable forecast for him shortly.

Meanwhile, Kirsten must be “bored”, having no one to battle north against…except the possibility of something critical breaking…

 

[Jethrow]

I'm guessing he thought sea-room trumps all other considerations in the situation he's in...

 

[Your Mom]

Meanwhile, Kirsten must be “bored”, having no one to battle north against…except the possibility of something critical breaking…

Too soon to be bored... she's got a lot of work to do in the next few days to get to safer latitudes. Even after that, I'd guess that even if the intensity is down a bit, there will still be a pressing desire to finish just to get back to home, land, loved ones, etc.