PASSAGE UPDATE: 1000 mile qualifier.
News as it comes in…
15/7/04 - Typically the wind improved, so he has returned direct to Weymouth, where he will leave the boat for now and return to collect it in a week or so. He'll then decide his next plan of action.
14/7/04 - After enjoying the Bastille Day celebrations of processions, music and fireworks in Camaret-sur-Mer, he has now left for the journey home. He is planning a stopover in Guernsey, before returning to the south coast.
13/7/04 - After another day's frustration of endless tacking and not making much way, Richard has made the decision that he will not be able to finish within his timescales and has called it a day for this time. He has put into Camaret, (west of Douarnenez), where he will rest before sailing the boat back to England and returning to work. Ironically he has clocked around 800 miles, but only actually completed just under the half of the set 1000 mile course. He will be back....
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11/7/2004 - 20 miles from the Raz, wet, tired and will be glad to get out of the Bay of Biscay. Little wind for 2 days, so not making much headway - frustrating.
9/7/2004 - The worst has passed so the voyage was re-started at 10:30am this morning.
8/7/2004 - As conditions deteriorated the survival suit was donned. With 30-40 mile an hour winds, the boat continually underwater from waves and heavy rain, lightning hitting the water all round and it forecast to increase to force 9 (50mph), Richard has been forced to take temporary shelter in La Rochelle. He hopes to recommence as soon as the worst has passed through.
7/7/2004 -The storm has hit! Off La Rochelle 12:22 - a quarter of the journey done. Hanging in there…. ( I don’t think the Bay of Biscay is the best place to be at present).
6/7/2004 - Passed safely through the Raz de Sein at 18:22. All’s well.
5/7/2004 - Left Douranenez at 2:30pm for the start of this endurance test.
4/7/2004 - Back in France prior to starting the 1000-mile single-handed qualifying passage. Spent the day provisioning the boat and fixing the breakages from the Mini-Fastnet race.
