Day 11,  Tuesday October 06, 1998

All eyes were on the tropical storm Lisa. The storm's strong winds could provide gains for frontrunners but for some, like Soldini, she could be just another trouble.

PRB © Foto Billy Black

Autissier, who reported rigging problems yesterday, described her situation: "I was having my breakfast when I heard a big 'clang.' To escape a catastrophe, I had to immediately survey the damage. It was incredible that a piece like that could break. It was also good that the genoa was rolled up and that the stay didn't have any tension on it!"

She broke the tang on the genoa stay, which was also the principal forestay on the boat. It broke off near the deck. "I jury rigged the gennaker halyard and have calculated how it will hold up in all types of conditions. On the other hand, I don't have a genoa anymore. To recoup the gennaker halyard, I had to climb to the top of the mast. It is done now but I'm still concerned about it. We will see what happens in the Doldrums." Isabelle will definitely not be able to use the big genoa."
Isabelle Austissier

She had been seeing big clouds. Her wind built up to 25/30 knots already. "Things are reasonable at the moment but when the squalls come I will be at a disadvantage. On the other hand, it is blowing from the east/northeast and for the most part I will be on a good point of sail. I've been sailing south since yesterday and this has penalized me in the positions, but that's OK. I will be able to sail downwind while the others will have to sail close hauled. I should be able to make a determination as to where I stand in two or three days. Marc should also be able to do well." She wrote.

Somewhere © Foto Marek Slodownik

The French skipper Marc Thiercelin had immediately overtaken Isabelle and Josh Hall to grab the first place in Class I. He held a 7-mile lead over Autissier. He was late in getting his boat ready for the race, but he was well prepared in Charleston. He actually finished second in the last Vendee Globe, so he had enough experience for such event like Around Alone.

Mike Golding © Foto Billy Black

Mike Golding saw Gartmore yesterday. "Josh was sailing low and to his surprise appeared off his stern. Josh and Mike had a radio conversation and their main concern was the tropical storm "Lisa" and where she was going to go. Golding had moved yesterday back into second place behind "Somewhere" and he was one off the four most north and east boats. This day he dropped to fourth position.

In Class II, Mouligne held a 19-mile lead over Garside. Both boats were also in front of Class 1 Soldini competitor. For Mouligne it had been a fast night. He was running under full genoa and full main sail at a steady 18 knots and as the weather became windier he set a smaller staysail. He did not want to risk losing his most important sail. He was also concerned about the effect of Lisa: "This kind of depression moves counterclockwise and so I want to stay on its western side to take advantage of the Northerly flow. This depression, if it develops into a storm, could redistribute the cards in the race."

South Carolina © Foto Billy Black

The boats farther behind had different conditions. Davie mailed: "Gudday from Driftsville, Another night of calms - but the airs have picked up a bit this morning - Minoru sighted to the north of me drifting along at daybreak."

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

© Richard Konkolski
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