Day 33, Wednesday March 10, 1999

MSYazykov1.jpg (14793 bytes)
Victor Yazykov © Photo Marek Slodownik

Finally Victor Yazykov crossed the finish line with following seas and a 15-knot wind. His Leg 3 time was 32 days, 18 hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds. A chilled magnum of Mumm champagne that was tossed to him slipped through Yazykov's hands into the bay. A silent crowd watched the bobbling bottle for a moment, before it disappeared below the surface. Yazykov did not wait long. He retreated through the companionway but quickly reappeared with his own half-full bottle of red wine and took a swig.

BBYazykovPortret.jpg (23622 bytes) Victor Yazykov © Photo Billy Black

The 50-year-old Yazykov finished fourth in Class II in one of the smallest boats in the race. "This leg was really hard, and I expected easier sailing from Cape Horn," said Yazykov. "Many bad things happened," he continued but Yazykov took all of these obstacles as lessons in the school of hard life.

BBWindofChange.jpg (16093 bytes)
Wind of Change Russia © Photo Billy Black

Yazykov spoke with pride about the home-built Wind of Change Russia. "I'm really proud of the boat. After we finish this race I will be very proud to put a sign on the side of this boat: 'Built in Russia with pride.'"

By the time the press conference began for Yazykov, a diver had retrieved his magnum of Mumm off the bottom, so Victor got a chance to taste his well-earned champagne after all.

MSSomewhere.jpg (24606 bytes) Thiercelin's Somewhere © Photo Marek Slodownik

Marc Thiercelin was back in the race again. Yesterday he passed the coordinates where his Somewhere was dismasted two weeks ago. These were two very tough weeks for him and his shore crew. Fortunately Thiercelin great sponsorship. "We have a very good sponsor, they have been very important for us," his shore crew manager Guilmain said. The mast and rig cost roughly US$120,000. With shipping and labor, the price will increase. They paid $10,000 just in Falklands for a week of lodging for 6 men crew. Thiercelin estimated that he could finish on Monday, 15th of March.

012.jpg (26126 bytes)
© Photo Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Place

Skipper

Boat

Latitude

Longitude

Dist. to go

Speed

Dist. to first

Time

1

Soldini

Fila

Punta

del Este

0

0

0

0

2

Thiercelin

Somewhere

44 48S

055 32W

591

15.2

591.2

2140

3

Autissier

PRB

Rescued

by

Soldini

0

0

0

4

Hall

Gartmore

Retiring

to

Chatham Is.

0

0

0

Class 2

Place

Skipper

Boat

Latitude

Longitude

Dist. to go

Speed

Dist. to first

Time

1

Mouligne

Cray Valley

Punta

del Este

0

0

0

0

2

Garside

Magellan Alpha

Punta

del Este

0

0

0

0

3

Van Liew

Balance Bar

Punta

del Este

0

0

0

0

4

Yazykov

Wind of Change

Punta

del Este

0

0

0

0

5

Saito

Shuten-dohji II

56 25S

073 53W

1576

5.8

1576.1

2144

6

Petersen

No Bariers

54 47S

076 46W

1679

6.9

1679.4

2144

7

Hunter

Paladin II

49 20S

097 45W

2515

7.4

2514.7

2144

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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