Day 02, Sunday February 7, 1999

©Photo Richard Konkolski

The high-pressure system east of New Zealand had stalled and would continue to provide headwinds for the next few days. The light wind blowing right against the whole fleet caused continuos changing in positions. The whole fleet was following the coast and taking the shortest way south as soon as possible.

Isabelle was able to send a message shortly after the start: "A fun sail in Hauraki Gulf. As usual, some strong feelings when we set out. I definitely don't like departures. It was a nice clean start, made easy by the very disciplined New Zealanders, who didn't get in the boats' way. Sunset over Coromandel Peninsula, 20 knots close-hauled, a reef in the mainsail, staysail. All the 60-footers are clumped together. I'm going to keep an eye out tonight because the wind may slacken."

Later she followed up with a telex trough Paris: "Not much to say. We've been tacking in the night. There's a bit of wind, 20 knots. I can't see the others anymore. No sleep, because we're close to the coast."

Michael Garside sent a similar message: "Life out here ain't no breeze. In fact it is, but it's dead on the nose and as we have had to tack through the Colville Channel and all its little islands all night there hasn't been a lot of sleep. Brad's had a great start and J-P and I are about a couple of miles apart. I'm giving it my best but pounding into head seas down the east coast of NZ is not a very kind way to start a leg!"

© Photo Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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