He called in at 1530 Monday afternoon from the Bay of Biscay:
“I am well but I am cold and tired. It is very wet out here with big waves. I am using the autopilot at the moment and it is very nice to be able to get some shelter from the weather underneath my safety cuddy. I have helmed a lot since the start as it isn’t very quick in a big sea state otherwise.
“Now that I am reaching it is better onboard, a little bit less dangerous. I gave myself a scare this morning as I thought I was going to capsize. I think I got to about 70 degrees. I eased everything immediately and jumped inside the boat for protection, I was so lucky the boat stayed the right side up!
“Since then, I have backed off a bit, my immediate objective is to get round Cape Finisterre safely and then we will see. I am not going as quickly, but to be honest that suits me at the moment. I have slept very little, just two 10-minute naps since yesterday. I am going to try to rest a bit now, but first I am will eat something warm.
“Otherwise all is well – I am just very tired. Tonight is going to be tough – I am going into strong winds on very little sleep. The ‘pilot’ is doing quite a good job and the sea state will improve.
“My little scare earlier today has calmed me – it is incredibly easy to capsize this boat and I need to be really careful – I need to be very alert and have taken my foot off the accelerator a little bit for the moment.”
Jean-Francois Cuzon, the Oman Sail router who is supporting Sidney from the shore alongside Damian Foxall, added some background and information on the weather ahead tonight and into Tuesday:
“Damian and I are settling into our watch system. Sidney will reach Cape Finisterre towards the end of the afternoon and the wind is forecast to increase to 30-35 knots downwind and sometimes that is more dangerous than sailing upwind. The sea state should reduce. The boat will be doing 25-30 knots of boat speed and Sidney will need to have very fast reactions if a gust hits.
“From Lisbon on, it will be less rough, or at least a more regular sea state. Tomorrow we expect 25-30 knots of wind throughout the day. Only on the 5th in the evening, will things start to improve as Sidney draws level with Madeira.”
Oman Sail will send regular race reports throughout the Route du Rhum.
For photos and video of the Route du Rhum celebrations and the race, and to watch interviews with the Skipper and Omani sailors and representatives, please go to:
http://media.qiusystem.com/omansail/en/photos/302_2014-MOD70-Route-du-Rhum
