THE FAB FOUR!

making spare blades by cutting up the chart table, which is now gone. He was unsure if he would be able to continue racing without a wind vane, or have to stop for spares, continuing his round the world journey in Chichester Class.

Eventually Abhilash reported that he was able to cut a blade from the boat’s main emergency rudder, after a first try with the toilet door proved to be too weak. His repairs, however, have not been limited to the wind vane and have included stitched sails, broken Halyards, repaired spreaders with various trips aloft, dismantled wind generators, electrical system backouts and water and diesel tank leaks.

Don McIntyre, GGR founder and chairman, said:“One of the biggest challenges of the GGR is getting the planning right. That includes so many issues including the choice of equipment, the amount of spares to take etc… and that is way before the preparation which in itself is also critically important. Wind vanes are one of the most important when you are on such a demanding adventure. Who will be the first home and how many will make it? Real adventures always have an unknown outcome!” fresh water tanks got fouled. He knows he is late in the season being the last in the fleet. His ETA at Cape Horn is late March.

Still progressing in the Chichester Class are Jeremy Bagshaw (ZAF) and Simon Curwen (GBR).

Simon led the GGR for 150 days before a detour of a 1,000 miles to Chile to repair his broken hydrovane moved him to Chichester Class. With 70 per cent of the total distance under his belt and a 1,000 mile gap with his closest rivals, Simon had seemed untouchable. Alas, cruel is the game of the GGR, and a crucial piece of his hydrovane broke when the boat was knocked-down.

Simon tried to emulate his hero Sir Robin Knox Johnston, who steered Suhaili to the finish, and to victory in the original 1968 GGR, without a windvane for the last stretch of that voyage, however it was not to be...

Race Positions (track at goldengloberace.com/live-tracker):

1. Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36 - MINNEHAHA

On 4 September, 15 men and one woman set out from Les Sables d’Olonne. Their dreams and aspirations were to circumnavigate solo in the Golden Globe Race. Today only four of the original sailors are still racing. February was an eventful time for Kirsten Neuschäfer (ZAF), finally rounding Cape Horn in the middle of the month. She moved to first place after 150 days of racing and since had to face two storms, breaking a spinnaker pole and taking down her massive twin sail alone on a Minnehaha rocked by the residual swell.

Abhilash Tomy (IND) was more exposed to the wind and waves, with 40 knots, gusting 60 which he later said was closer to “60 knots sustained with occasional lulls in the 40” meaning his Rustler suffered some damage. The storm repairs, strong weather and waiting for the right conditions to climb the mast meant sailing further east than planned.

Unfortunately Abhilash’s Wind Pilot wind vane pendulum rudder failed again too. He has been facing wind vane issues since the Atlantic many months ago. He had used all his spare pendulum blades and had been

Michael Guggenberger (AUT), in third, is in a strong position. He has been lucky with generally acceptable weather and seas for virtually all the Southern Ocean to date, with no major storms. Other competitors ahead and behind have had to face heavy storms and devastating calms.

New to sailing 10 years ago, Michael has matched both the pace and the preparation level of much more experienced sailors, presenting no significant damage after thousands of gruelling miles in the GGR. His only issue being, like others, depleting water reserves. However, he managed to finally catch some desperately needed freshwater.

Behind him Ian Herbert Jones (GBR) is facing some issues, notably the lack of drinking water on board as well after his

2. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36BAYANAT

3. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria Biscay 36 - NURI

4. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35 - PUFFIN

Chichester Class

1. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36 - CLARA

2. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32 - OLLEANNA

GGR Retired Edward Walentynowicz (Canada), Guy deBoer (USA), Mark Sinclair (Australia), Pat Lawless (Ireland), Damien Guillou (France), Ertan Beskardes (UK), Tapio Lehtinen (Finland), Arnaud Gaist (France), Elliot Smith (USA), Guy Waites (UK).

Oliver Perkins / £10.99

This book will give you a great understanding of why clouds are symptoms of weather patterns, not causes. Highly practical, it shows you how, by reading these signs in the sky and referring to the explanatory colour photos and diagrams, you will be able to tell exactly what those signs mean. Including a foreword by Tom Cunliffe, this will be an invaluable companion for everyone who enjoys time spent outdoors.

Just Add Water - Over 100 ways to recharge and relax on the UK’s rivers, lakes and canals

Sarah Henshaw / £18.99

Just Add Water suggests scores of activities, adventures and escapes to help us better look after ourselves and our waterways. Covering the length and breadth of the UK, this is the ideal companion for anyone planning a day trip, waterways holiday or simply looking to make the most of the canal, river, lake or reservoir on their doorstep.