Day 05, Wednesday February 10, 1999

Robin Davie © Photo Billy Black

After reviewing the facts, the race committee determined that Robin Davie did not qualify for an exemption and officially retired him from the race. A two-time veteran of this race, Davie said that he will sail alone around Cape Horn to Charleston anyway as soon as repairs could be finished. It could take at least 10 days.

South Carolina © Photo Billy Black

COMSAT was willing to continue their support of Davie and Around Alone race operations would continue to monitor his progress. Davie was the fifth retirement since the start. He was planing to sail via Cape Horn and be back in Charleston by May.

Mark Thiercelin © Photo Billy Black

At the same time Marc Thiercelin was continuing to keep leading position, but by the end of the day Isabelle was only eleven miles behind him. Soldini in third and Hall in fourth place were more than 100 miles back.

In Class II Mike Garside dropped back into second place behind Balance Bar and J.P. Mouligne continued to stay in third. The wind turned from the NW to the SE and many boats were not able to pass south of Chatham Islands.

Mike Garside © Photo Marek Slodownik

Jean-Pierre Mouligne described this dilemma in his email: "Distance to Cape Horn: 3884 miles I am sailing hard on the wind aiming for a way point just North of Chatham Islands 60 miles away. I will have to give these islands a wide birth since I do not have any charts of the area and the fate of Mike Golding is in everybody's mind. Chatham Islands are the last outpost of human presence in these latitudes before Cape Horn and I was planning to pass way to the South but the strong southerlies are forcing me to sail East. I have maneuvered a lot. I am tired and can barely type at a snail's pace."

© Photo Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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