Day 56, Friday November 20, 1998

Fedor Konioukhov © Foto Billy Black

Will he it make or not. That was the question, which Konioukhov had to face for the rest of his distance to Cape Town. If he would not finish by 28^th of November, he would be out of the race. To make it, he would have to sail about 125 miles a day. This should not be too difficult for a boat of his size, but Konioukhov have had to overcome a lot of problems to keep his boat going. He definitively could not afford any mistakes. Hopefully he would not fall into some light wind hole for which Cape Town is well known, especially if he would approach from the north.

There were still four sailors at sea. Konioukhov was furthest from the finish line. He was also the only one to pass along a message of his progress and his encounter with a whale: "I was steering for 2 hours with the boat speed 14-15 knots and decided that it's time to make some coffee, so I reduce sails and the boat speed till 7-8 knots. I went inside of the boat and started to undress wet clothes. Suddenly I felt strong hit, but no noise, my back became wet and cold, being inside I have already realized that in a huge ocean I managed to find a whale (no container, no piece of wood as I did not hear any noise). Actually there were two hits, first boat hit a whale, then in a couple seconds whale hit a boat. I rush out to see my guest. It was a Blue whale much bigger than my boat. I was lucky that I did not hit him a cross, so called "T" hit; I just touched him along side. I was looking on this whale being on a deck until some thing reminded me - how my keel is doing now?! I carefully check all the bolts by big tire tools- they don't move. Everybody know that I am not a racer and couple days before the start in Charleston one skipper in class one promise me a lot of new experience from being in the race. I definitely don't need that kind of experience. I don't know why I took all the bad stuff in the Leg 1? May be not all -yet? I have to continue to steer. Best regards."

© Foto Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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