25/10/10 18:00
The welcoming party is arriving at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. Esimit Europa 2 and ICAP Leopard are going to get a rousing cheer, as they cross the finish line, right outside the yacht club. But thoughts will also turn to the other boats still out there.
Tonight could well be a very tough one for the 69 boats that will be still in this yacht race. A cold front arriving from the northwest is due to bring rain and wind speeds in excess of twenty knots, hampering their progress. Beating into strong headwinds with lumpy seas is not for the faint hearted. Fatigue becomes a big factor in performance, it can take it’s toll on the crew and the equipment, after three days at sea, especially when problems occur. As Steilager II have found out.
“All sorts of problems changing to the no 4. Headsail. We almost lost no 3 over the side when it ripped out of the foil. It took eight of us on the foredeck to get it under control. The decision on deck is that for now lifelackets and harness are mandatory. My Russian team mates are acting like nothing just happened. But I can’t hide the fact that I am exhausted.” Giles Pearman – Steinlager II