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10 June 2005, 12:53 pm

Leaders Pass 1,000 Miles To Go Mark

Faraday Mill OSTAR 2005

As Roger LANGEVIN (FRA) on Branec IV has now passed the less than a 1,000 miles to Newport mark, the bets are starting to be placed in the Royal Western Race office as to his, or possibly one of the two leading multihulls finish date.

LANGEVIN has been averaging near to 200 miles a day so far in the race and so the better money is on a finish sometime on Tuesday. As the race office prepare to transfer operations to Newport in readiness for Monday, they will, if the weather and his pace remain consistent be in the knick of time to welcome him into port.

That however, in ocean racing terms, is a long way off and, for the time being he has to keep Cotonella and Spirit at bay as they approach the North American coast and other two are at present, far too close for comfort. Cotonella is a mere 22 miles behind while Spirit, with 262 miles to catch up, is still a dangerous opponent as Pierre ANTOINE (FRA) has positioned himself much further south and could easily be on a faster approach to the finish line in the closing stages.

The middle of the fleet is quite content today as the high winds and rough sea state they have been encountering over the last 48 hours is abating and they are all in positions that would be expected. The only boat to be noticeably flagging is Reality but, it is the considered opinion that Cees GROOT (NED) is just taking his time and enjoying his crossing.

Hannah WHITE (GBR) is in touch with the Irish coastguard and her shore team are preparing to travel to Ireland to meet the youngster who has had a hard time of bringing her stricken Open 40 back to home waters. On the other side of the Channel, Patrice CARPENTIER (FRA) has arrived in France and has sent a message to confirm the reason for his retirement.

He told the race office by email that his new Pogo class 40 has suffered delamination towards the bow but, he had every faith in the build as this was boat number one, such is his faith he has apparently placed an order for one of his own. The only boat still unaccounted for, and it has now been seven days without a report, is Adrienne May. Tony WALDECK (GBR) had reported having trouble with his generator and it could be that he is unable to use his communications gear, so even though Falmouth coast have again put out an 'all ships' notice, there are no immediate fears for his safety. However, everyone at the race office in Plymouth, Great Britain are hoping to hear from him very soon.