Day 01, Saturday December 05, 1998

Cape Town © Photo Richard Konkolski

The start for the second leg was set for Saturday December 5 at noon local time. The wind was light with high pressure system sitting ESE from Cape Town. This weather situation made planning easy for skippers at the early stage of this leg. The best track was sailing south as much as possible to avoid the high with light wind. There was a greater chance of getting stronger wind and higher speed further south.

The fleet was reduced to 15 boats after Reidl's withdrawal during the first leg. But not all 15 boats were ready to start. Class I's Fedor Konioukhov and Class II's Robin Davie made decisions to spend extra time in port to finish work on their boats. Konioukhov had to finish repairs on his autopilot and keel. Davie had problems with replacing the rudder he lost during the first leg. Both were planing to start as soon as they could. Davie was hoping to leave Cape Town on Monday.

Konioukhov and Davie
© Photo Billy Black

The start was slow. The boats stayed far from the start line and it took almost a minute before the first boat crossed it after the gun. Giovanni Soldini took a lead for this 7,000 miles long leg to Auckland, New Zealand. Spectator fleet of over 200 boats watched as J.P. Mouligne was second to cross the start followed by Hall, Thiercelin and Golding.
Giovanni Soldini © Photo Marek Slodownik

Isabelle Autissier was further back struggling with flapping sails. She had some kind of problem after which she was kept back by light wind. As the fleet was disappearing over the horizon there was no clear leader. Soldini, Hall and Thiercelin formed a leading trio.

Soldini, Hall & Thiercelin

By the end of the day Soldini was leading Class I with a two mile lead over Golding and Mouligne was topping Class II with almost three mile lead over the next boat.

J.P. Mouligne © Photo Marek Slodownik

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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