Update: 16ooh (11am Toronto): Diane is in port at Gijon, Spain after the race committee abandoned the first leg. The rest of the mini fleet is still arriving. No word from Diane directly. Expect a bevy, hot food, hot shower, a decent sleep and about three days of drying out will work wonders.
Friday November 1, 2013
The weather continues to be big part of the story. The forecast continues to deteriorate. So much so, the Race Committee has abandoned the first leg of the race.
The fleet has been instructed to make it to harbour. A few proto boats have made it to Sada. Many boats are proceeding to Gijon, Spain about 120 nm east of Sada. Gijón is closer for much of the fleet. More importantly by proceeding to Gijón, the Iberian Peninsula will provide some shelter from the worst of the coming weather.
Right now (0400 France, midnight Halloween Toronto) it does not look like Diane is in tough weather conditions. Winds south at 10 knots, likely with larger seas. Diane is 50nm north of Gijón. South winds. Once again, on the nose.
You can activate the wind overlay on the fleet tracker by clicking the icon of three arrows, at the right end of the upper control bar. There is a distance measurement tool – the ruler – also on the upper control bar.
The race committee will re-group after the fleet is safe. They’ll hatch a plan to get the race re-started. When details become available….
Safe deliverance Diane and the whole of the fleet.
