First morning at sea for the GOR fleet

by Max Ranchi

Following a light-airs start on Sunday afternoon, the six double-handed, Global Ocean Race Class40s are now in stable, following breeze, running down to the Straits of Gibraltar with Ross and Campbell Field on BSL at the front of the fleet. Holding fifth place east of the main group of boats, Marco Nannini and Paul Peggs on Financial Crisis were leading the fleet momentarily: “The early part of the race was very tiring and frustrating, playing light winds bingo,” reported Nannini on Monday morning. “Everyone was trying to get away from the island of Mallorca and into the offshore wind, all very close to each other, but sometimes sailing completely different angles,” he explains.

“We had a lucky break at some stage and overtook first BSL, then Campagne de France and Cessna Citation, technically taking the overall lead before grinding to a halt.” Their time a the front of the fleet was short lived: “BSL and Phesheya from the back went off to the M25 motorway and found some wind and circled us like we were stuck in a central London traffic jam.”

Meanwhile, The New Zealand duo of Ross and Campbell Field continue to make the best speed on BSL, averaging 10.7 knots in around 14 knots of north-easterly breeze with Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron just over eight miles astern with Campagne de France in the 09:00 GMT Monday position poll.