DAY 11 - Doldrums not as Bad as Predicted
News - Wednesday, 01/10/2001, 5:37 AM GMT

Position	01/10/2001 5:37 AM GMT
1st	Club Med (2300GMT: Back with the breeze, avg speed 10.3 knots)
2nd	Team Adventure (23 nm from the leader. Really closing in, picked up speed with Club Med, avg speed 11.7 knots)
3rd	Innovation Explorer (286 nm from the leader. Sailed into a hole. Still struggling. Has gained ground on two leaders, avg speed 12.9 knots)
4th	PlayStation (509 nm from the leader. Still making good gains, catching the Ollier ships gradually, avg speed 19.6 knots)
5th	Warta Polpharma (881 nm from leader. Still moving west at speed, avg speed 14.0 knots)
6th	Team Legato (2018 nm from the leader. Still on the wind, avg speed 7.8 knots)

We were all expecting a big calm in the Doldrums, but the heavens are smiling on these maxi-cats.

Club Med and Team Adventure are now approximately 150 miles from the equator. They have slowed somewhat but are now arriving at winds from the south/south east similar to what they will experience on the other side of the equator, that will require them to head upwind. At such a small separation from each other, 23 nautical miles, Club Med must feel Team Adventure breathing down their necks.

Club Med has 1200 square meters of sail area set right now -- a huge gennaker, staysail and a shelf in the mainsail. Club Med is covering Team Adventure's moves closely - cover, cover, cover.

On board Team Adventure Lionel is repairing the Sat B dome where the boom hit it a few days ago -grinding, sanding and fiberglassing. He is also sanding and fixing a small dent in the front port side of the mast from a jib sheet block hitting it in a heavy air tack.

Innovation Explorer is in the middle of the Doldrums and experiencing fluky winds. They must chase the south/south east wind ahead of them. Going to the west may have helped them catch up if they get to the wind at the same time as the two forerunners.

The days are intolerably hot with high humidity. They are interspersed with moments of violent rain squalls and gusty winds. One moment you are flopping around on a glassy sea and the next you are heeled well over trying to reduce sail while lashing rain stings your body. The mayhem lasts for 15 minutes only to be replaced by the heat and even more humidity as the water on the wet deck evaporates. With each squall you are able to gain 10 miles, only to sit becalmed until the next one comes along.

PlayStation is about to enter the Doldrums, she is making excellent speed and catching the Ollier ships.

Nick Moloney badly sprained an ankle crossing the tramp. He fell awkwardly on the winch tunnel in the leeward cockpit.

PlayStation has handled the flying fish issue the best by scooping up some of the flying fish and throwing them into the frying pan with a little garlic and olive oil.

From the NOW live tracker, www.now.com

Innovation Explorer is in turqoise Club Med in yellow Team Adventure is green

PlayStation is in red Warta is orange Team Legato is blue

Showing Warta Polpharma approaching the Cape Verde Islands.

Warta-Polpharma is shortly exiting the Cape Verde Islands between Boa Vista and Sal, following the path made by PlayStation. They will now have to determine strategy for the approach to the Doldrums.

From the NOW live tracker, www.now.com

Showing Team Legato.

Bullimore: 'Conditions have been rather variable overnight, but the winds are expected to head us out to the Atlantic later. Then, we will hook up with the trade winds and really begin the chase.'

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