Day 48, Thursday November 12, 1998

© Foto Richard Konkolski

Yazykov had another fine day of sailing. He cut 123 miles from Stricker, who was now less then 300 miles in front of him. This time Yazykov was lucky being influenced by low-pressure system letting him fly with 9 plus knots speed. Stricker was paying for the privilege of being in front of the remanding fleet by getting caught by high developed right on his path to Cape Town. His speed dropped down to less than three knots.

Viktor Yazykov © Foto Billy Black

Neal Petersen covered 192 miles in 24 hours, which was good performance for a boat of that size, but not enough not to slow the constantly widening gap between him and Yazykov who was now 83 miles in front of him. Petersen as well as Davie entered the Eastern Hemisphere. It was a great moment for both, especially for Davie who was now running for over week without a rudder.

Even Fedor Konioukhov, running last, had his own great moment. He wrote: "Hello everybody, I'm doing well. Good cross-wind but the heading is not really good. For the last 5 days I had a seabird following me and each morning she brought a very small fish and dropped it on my deck. As this fish was very small I threw it away and my bird took it again and brought it back. I think that this bird would like to help me by feeding me. In the past couple days I was in really bad situation, too much physical work, no time to cook, and when this morning this small seabird brought her gift again and dropped it on the bow I cried a little of such human care."

© Foto Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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