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108 days of racing
The first edition of the Barcelona World Race has proved to be all that
organisers and competitors could have hoped for. Nine teams set off on November
11 to tack the challenge of a non-stop circumnavigation double-handed. But as an
indication of the scale of the challenge, only five are on track to complete the
circumnavigation, and just two of them will do it without having stopped at
least once.
Below is a daily log, summarising the highs and lows of what will be more than 100 days of racing in the Barcelona World Race.
1 25,000 miles to go!
- A spectacular start at 13:00
- An enormous spectator fleet of over 650 boats sends off the nine race boats
- PRB has the early lead
2 Softly, softly to start
- After 24 hours, morale is high throughout the fleet
- Conditions are light and unstable and speeds are slow for the first 24 hours
- The fleet is split into two groups with those to the east making the best headway
3 Light and challenging conditions in the Med
- PRB maintains the lead over Paprec-Virbac 2 and Estrella Damm
- Delta Dore makes a move up the Spanish coastline
- The leaders are within 200 miles of Gibraltar
4 Upwind to Gibraltar
- West winds make for an upwind ride to Gibraltar
- PRB holds its lead with Paprec-Virbac 2 making a strong challenge
5 Paprec-Virbac 2 leads through Gibraltar
- Paprec-Virbac 2 led the fleet into the Atlantic, winning the first stage of the race
- The weather situation remains complicated into the Atlantic
6 Into the Atlantic, but?
- Paprec-Virbac 2 still in the lead
- Winds remain very light, at 6 to 9 knots
- Getting set up for the gate at the Canary Islands is the next challenge
7 The Atlantic Ocean casino
- It’s an upwind beat to the Canary Islands
- Paprec Virbac 2 and PRB head the fleet
8 High noon for the Canaries
- Leader Paprec-Virbac 2 says they’re 24 hours from the Canary Island gate
- Veolia Envrionnement, Delta Dore and Hugo Boss make a move
9 Match racing through the Canary Islands
- Paprec-Virbac 2 leads PRB through the Canary Islands gate
- Veolia Environnement and Delta Dore match each other tack for tack through the islands
- Leaders head for Brazil
10 Decision time
- Eight of nine boats in the fleet have passed the Canary Island gate
- Delta Dore wins stage two, fastest between Gibraltar and Canaries
- Paprec-Virbac 2 and PRB maintain a southerly heading
- Delta Dore and Veolia Environnement take a westerly option
11 Is the west best?
- Westerly option pays off for Veolia Environnement move to 3rd from 7th)
- Leaders are closer to African coast
- Doldrums lurking ahead
12 And they’re off!
- Leaders hook into the trade winds and speed away
- But light conditions frustrate the rest of the fleet
13 East, west, and everywhere in between
- Leaders reach the Cape Verde islands
- Head of the fleet spreads out from east
- Today marks the one year anniversary of Alex Thomson losing Hugo Boss in the southern ocean
14 Racing towards the doldrums
- Fast tradewind sailing for most of the fleet
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds a lead of 50 miles over PRB
- Each boat has chosen its route to face the Doldrums
15 Compression on and pressure up
- Leaders enter the doldrums and PRB makes dramatic gains on Paprec-Virbac 2
- Just seven miles separate leading pair
16 PRB grabs the lead! - Fast passage through the doldrums puts PRB into the lead
- The two leading boats have escaped the doldrums
- Veolia Environnement still trapped
17 Flying south towards Fernando
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 are in the southern hemisphere
- Vincent Riou and Sébastien Josse cross the third scoring gate with 35 mile lead
- Estrella Damm is still mired in the doldrums
18 Leaders stay close on the descent south
- The leading pair match each other to ensure they encounter the same weather on the fast descent to the south
- Doldrums keep hold of Estrella Damm as frustration on board mounts
19 Dueling in the South Atlantic
- Paprec-Virbac 2 reclaims the lead over PRB
- Hugo Boss fights to stay ahead of Delta Dore by just three miles
- Temenos II leads Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras crosses the equator
20 Further south – heading for the Cape
- Educacion sin Fronteras crosses Fernando scoring gate
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds tenuous lead over PRB
- Rest of the fleet gambles on Easterly route to try and make gains
21 Battle in force at front
- PRB leads over Paprec Virbac 2 again but by just 9 miles
- Fleet prepares to encounter Southern Ocean
22 Leaders take advantage - The weather conditions favour the leaders
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 are nearly five knots faster than the rest of the fleet
- “They’re going to get away,” says Alex Thomson
23 Paprec-Virbac 2 sets up to the west
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 maintain their advantage at the front
- Morale improves on Estrella Damm as they make gains
- The ‘Roaring Forties’ beckon
24 ‘It’s starting to feel like the South’
- The leaders spot their first Albatross as they descend near 40-degrees south
- The chasing pack makes gains
25 Welcome to the ‘Roaring Forties’
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 enter the ‘Roaring Forties’
- Direct route towards first ice gate 1400 miles away
- A cold front brings wind to the pursuing pack
26 The need for speed
- Estrella Damm breaks the 400 mile/day barrier: the first in the fleet to do so
- The bulk of fleet roars along sailing a cold front
- The leaders pass into the eastern hemisphere
27 ‘We just sailed 500 miles in 24 hours!!!’
- 500 miles in 24 hours – a new record is set by Hugo Boss
- The battle at the front closes up, with Paprec-Virbac 2 overtaking PRB
- Temenos II hits an object in the water, damaging their rudder
28 ‘It’s finished for us’
- Disaster for PRB as they lose the top of their mast
- The rest of the fleet offers commiserations but is determined not to slow down
29 Top four through Gate 4
- First four boats pass into Indian Ocean
- Temenos II surfs along at 34 knots
- PRB limps towards Cape Town
30 Estrella Damm to Cape Town for pit-stop
- Estrella Damm heads for Cape Town to assess damage to rudder system
- Paprec-Virbac 2, at the front, stretches away to a 472 mile day
31 Disaster as Delta Dore dismasts
- Delta Dore is dismasted in fourth place
- Water temperature plunges, icebergs a possibility
32 Cold, wet, windy and ice on the horizon
- The leader pluges south of 53°S
- Paprec-Virbac 2 extends its lead
- Hugo Boss is the winner of stage 4
33 Paying the price
- The first three boats approach the Kerguelen Islands
- Dick/Foxall steering on deck to maintain speed
- Estrella Damm arrives in Cape Town
34 Estrella Damm abandons the race
- Citing rudder damage and technical concerns, Estrella Damm abandons
- Paprec-Virbac 2 adds to lead, but forecast favours boats behind
35 Hugo Boss closes the gap with Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss cuts the lead in half to just 120 miles
- Paprec-Virbac 2 spots an iceberg at 55-degrees south
- Veolia Environnement stops at the Kerguelen Islands to make repairs
36 Veolia Environnement back in the race
- Veolia Envrionnement rejoins the race
- Battle rages at the front between Paprec Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss
- A deep low pressure system is forecast to hit Educacion Sin Fronteras and Mutua Madrileña
37 Veolia Environnement dismasts; the Southern Ocean claims another
- Veolia Environnement dismasts. Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias prepare a jury rig to head for Australia
38 Hugo Boss makes a move - Hugo Boss gains 90 miles over 24 hours to close within 38 miles of leader
- First two boats head for Australian safety gate
- Temenos II being nursed towards New Zealand with a keel problem
39 Tense at the top
- Compression at the front as Hugo Boss closes to within 12 miles
- Paprec-Virbac 2 heads for the south to protect its lead
- Extremely strong winds demand prudence from those at the back of the fleet
40 Paprec-Virbac 2 strikes back
- Paprec-Virbac 2 adds to its margin
- Conditions are still cold and miserable for those further back, 40 knots and 6 metre seas for Mutua Madrileña
41 The Southern Ocean roars
- The battle is tense up front as conditions turn ‘heinous’
- Weather eases for those at the back
42 Special Christmas wishes
- Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu takes part in the video conference, offering congratulations and best wishes to the fleet at sea in the Southern Ocean
43 Holding serve
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds its advantage over Hugo Boss
44 Christmas Eve at sea
- Fois Gras and Christmas pudding for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss up to speed after a slow moment during the afternoon
- Albert Bargués on Educación sin Fronteras gets a call from family for Christmas
45 Rough Christmas as Santa brings testing conditions
- Paprec-Virbac 2 closes in on Cook Strait
- Big speeds for the rest of fleet in strong, Southern Ocean conditions
- Veolia Environnement closes to 650 miles from Cape Leeuwin
46 The Pacific for Paprec-Virbac 2, Wellington for Hugo Boss
- Paprec-Virbac 2 crosses into the Pacific
- A tactical pit-stop is scheduled in Wellington for Hugo Boss
- A big southern ocean storm for Educación sin Fronteras
47 The Cook Strait
- Hugo Boss pulls into the ‘pit-lane’ in Wellington
- Paprec-Virbac 2 wins first Southern Ocean stage
- Veolia Environnement has 500 miles to go under jury rig until arriving in Perth
48 Mr. Fix-it visits the leaders
- Paprec-Virbac 2 has rudder damage, but Jean-Pierre and Damian are up to the task of making repairs
- Work continues on Hugo Boss as the clock ticks on for their pit-stop
49 Tough at the top
- An enormous low pressure system is on the route for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Educación sin Fronteras makes good mileage
50 Wow! High speed racing at the back
- A 450 mile day for Educación sin Fronteras, their best of the race
51 Surrounded by ice
- Stress is high on board Paprec-Virbac 2 with icebergs all around
- Very different routes for the two leaders
- Veolia Environnement arrives in Perth, Temenos II approaches Wellington
52 ‘Like playing Russian Roulette’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 dances around the icebergs, Damian says it’s ‘like playing Russian Roulette’
- Temenos II due in Wellington
- Light winds for Mutua Madrilena and Educacion sin Fronteras
- 40 knots for the leaders
53 Climbing north towards ice gate
- Paprec-Virbac 2 fights to escape the ice, forced north by the ice gate
- Big wind coming for Hugo Boss
- Temenos II is in Wellington
54 Busy in the pit lane in Wellington
- Damage is less severe than was feared on Temenos II. They’ll rejoin the race soon
- Mutua Madrilena reveals it will stop as well
- The first Pacific low hits the leaders
55 Riding the low to Cape Horn
- Temenos II restarts
- Paprec-Virbac 2 sees 35 knots
- Educacion sin Fronteras becalmed
56 All calm but determined not to stop
- Educacion sin Fronteras still very slow, in very light winds
- The fifth place crew says they won’t stop in Wellington – if they ever get there!!!
57 Educacion sin Fronteras close to Wellington
- Light winds for the leader
- Educacion sin Fronteras near to Cook Strait
58 The Pacific Southern Ocean – a sea of contrast
- Paprec-Virbac 2 roaring along in strong Southern Ocean low pressure system
- Hugo Boss stuck in unusually mild conditions
59 Streaking towards the Horn
- Paprec-Virbac 2 nearing the coast of Chile
- Hugo Boss drops more miles in moderate conditions
- Temenos II makes modest gains
60 Last day in the south
- Paprec-Virbac 2 just 200 miles from Cape Horn
- Positions stabilise across the fleet
61 Around the horn
- Jean Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall pass Cape Horn in ‘exhausting’ conditions
- Harsh Southern Ocean storm conditions for Educacion sin Fronteras at the back of the fleet
62 Chasing the leader -
- Paprec-Virbac 2 sails west of the Falkland Islands
- Hugo Boss is fast and direct at the Horn posting a 422 mile day
- Miserable conditions for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
63 Wind is up for everyone
- A deep low is ahead for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss closes in on the Horn
- Big wind in the Southern Ocean for Temenos II, Mutua Madrileña and Educacion sin Fronteras
64 Hugo Boss around Cape Horn
- Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape round the Horn
- Miserable conditions persist for Mutua Madrileña
65 Temenos II flying along in the South
- A concertina effect for Paprec-Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss
- Strong winds near the Horn for Temenos II and Mutua Madrilena
- Educacion sin Fronteras passes the ice gate
66 Hugo Boss tears back into Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss gains 180 miles on the day
- Temenos II is three days from the Horn
- A difficult night for Javier Sanso and Pachi Rivero on Mutua Madrileña with a torn mainsail
67 Patience at the front, with trouble looming
- A better day for Paprec-Virbac 2, holding its position, with Hugo Boss becalmed for much of the day
- Cape Horn is a week away for Educacion sin Fronteras
68 A tricky South Atlantic
- Hugo Boss has miserable conditions in a fierce sea state
- Mutua Madrileña pulls within 200 miles of Temenos II
69 The great escape?
- Paprec-Virbac 2 finds the breeze and gains miles in the trade winds
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña look to pass Cape Horn tomorrow
70 A big day for Mutua Madrileña
- Mutua Madrileña is fastest in the fleet, gaining on Temenos II as both are around Cape Horn
71 Battling up the Atlantic
- Give and take at the front, with Paprec-Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss trading off advantages
- Gap falls to less than 100 miles between Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras just 700 miles from the Horn
72 Roaring towards Cape Horn
- Educacion sin Fronteras looks forward to Cape Horn, just 24 hours away, and hits 31 knots of speed
- Paprec-Virbac 2 encounters light conditions en route to the equator
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña battle near the Falkland Islands
73 Educacion sin Fronteras rounds the Horn
- Servane et Albert are out of the Southern Ocean
- Paprec-Virbac 2 finds the breeze
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña battle to a stalemate
74 The Atlantic for the fleet
- Paprec-Virbac 2 fast
- Hugo Boss slower
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña continue to march up the Atlantic in tandem
- First day in the Atlantic for Educacion sin Fronteras
75 Hooking up with the trade winds
- Paprec-Virbac 2 hooks into the trade winds and gains 170 miles
- Difficult, unstable weather conditions for the chasing pack
76 A ‘comfortable day’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 approaching the doldrums with confidence
- Hugo Boss drops further behind
77 Paprec-Virbac 2 hits the doldrums
- A front blocks the way for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras crew wants to be on land again!
- Paprec-Virbac 2 in the doldrums while Hugo Boss enjoys the trades
78 Back in the north
- The race leader crosses into the equator and returns to the Northern Hemisphere
- Hugo Boss makes rudder repair
79 A close battle for third place
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña are within just 40 miles of each other
- Paprec-Virbac 2 crosses into the Northern hemisphere
- Hugo Boss passes the Fernando de Noronha Gate
80 Challenging times in the Atlantic
- Fleet struggles in light headwinds
- Just 60 miles separate Temenos II from Mutua Madrileña
81 Hugo Boss cuts lead in half – or do they?
- Over the past five days, Hugo Boss gains 450 miles on distance to finish, but is still 700 miles downwind of the leader
- The lead for Temenos II is down to 81 miles
82 A tricky beast
- Paprec-Virbac 2 looks for strong easterlies just west of the Canary Islands
- Educacion sin Fronteras is fastest in the fleet enjoying a low pressure system off Rio de Janeiro
83 Just 2000 miles to glory
- Paprec-Virbac 2 under 2000 miles to go
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña stay close as they race towards Fernando scoring gate
- Big waves, no wind for Educacion sin Fronteras
85 Sprinting to Gibraltar, but with trouble ahead
- Paprec-Virbac 2 up to speed, but forecast is poor
- Hugo Boss has more favourable conditions forecast for next days
86 The passage home is blocked
- It’s a long road home for Paprec-Virbac 2 with weather systems forcing them north
- Hugo Boss should be able to cut the corner and make a gain
- Mutua Madrilena and Temenos II shadow each other in the trade winds
87 Sprinting to Gibraltar, but with trouble ahead
- Leader adds over 150 miles to lead
- Forecast is dire though, with strong headwinds predicted
- Just 95 miles in the fight for a podium finish between Temenos II and Mutua Madrilena
- Nice tradewind sailing for Educacion sin Fronteras
88 ‘Too many tacks, not enough food’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 is forced well north of Gibraltar, with a forecast for upwind conditions the rest of the way to the Med
- Hugo Boss roaring along and expecting to gain dramatically
- Unstable conditions further south provide opportunity in the battle for third place
89 Wind is up and so is the tension for the leader
- 700 miles from the finish the forecast turns sour for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss gains phenomenal 200 miles in a day
- Educacion sin Fronteras enjoys great trade wind conditions
90 Fierce fight to get to the Med
- 40 knot winds, commercial traffic and fierce seas make life miserable aboard Paprec-Virbac 2 approaching Gibraltar
- Gains slow for Hugo Boss, now 350 miles in arrears
- Champagne sailing for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
91 So near, but still so far
- Paprec-Virbac 2 into the Mediterranean Sea after fierce conditions in the Strait
- Temenos II extends away from Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras within 3000 miles of home
92 One more day
- Paprec-Virbac 2 reveals details of near dismasting off Brazil
- Hugo Boss facing horrible night approaching Gibraltar
93 Paprec Virbac 2 wins the Barcelona World Race
- At 20 :49 :49 GMT after 92 days 8 hours 49minutes 49seconds
- Hugo Boss into the Mediterranean
94 Paprec Virbac 2 home 4 remain racing hard
- Hugo Boss strong headwinds in the Alboran Sea
- Temenos II approaching the Mediterranean
95 Final fight to the finish
- Last miles for Hugo Boss glorious sailing into Barcelona
- A tough entry for Temenos II into the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña 300 miles behind
96 Hugo Boss claims second place in the Barcelona World Race
- Hugo Boss arrive at 05:34:57 GMT after 94days 17hours 34minutes 57seconds
- Temenos II battle in the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña close the distance to180 miles of Temenos II
- Educacion sin Fronteras at Cape Verde Islands
97 A rough ride
- Temenos II in the Mediterranean after a rough crossing of the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña continue to recover miles
98 Mutua Madrileña back in home waters
- Mutua Madrileña rapid passage through the straits
- Calm sailing on the last few miles for Temenos II
- Fantastic sailing and speeds for Educacion sin Fronteras
99 Temenos II claims 3rd place in the Barcelona World Race
- Temenos II finish 3rd at 18 :09 :10 GMT after 98 days 6hours 9mins 10seconds
- Mutua Madrileña just 180 miles from home
- Educacion sin Fronteras at the Canary Islands
100 Last day of racing for Mutua Madrileña
- Mutua Madrileña approach the finish line in Barcelona – their last few hours on the water accompanied by numerous friends, family and supporters
- Educación sin Fronteras continues to enjoy near perfect sailing conditions
101 Mutua Madrileña finish 4th in the Barcelona World Race
- Incredible reception in Barcelona in the early hours of the 19th February for the home team
- Educacion sin Fronteras making steady progress towards the Gibraltar scoring gate
108 : Educación sin Fronteras finish 5th de la Barcelona World Race
- Barcelona-born sailor Albert Bargués and French yachtswoman Servane Escoffier crossed the finish line at 06:55:02 GMT to finish the Barcelona World Race in 5th place, after 108 days 18 hours, 55 minutes and 2 seconds, sailing a total distance of 27,892 miles at an average speed of 9.45 knots!
- An incredible achievement for one of only two mixed crews in the race, the Spanish-French duo were the least experienced in terms of circumnavigations; a first round the world race for 26 year old Escoffier, and the first offshore experience in 20 years for Bargués, for whom the arrival in his home city was particularly emotional,
Below is a daily log, summarising the highs and lows of what will be more than 100 days of racing in the Barcelona World Race.
1 25,000 miles to go!
- A spectacular start at 13:00
- An enormous spectator fleet of over 650 boats sends off the nine race boats
- PRB has the early lead
2 Softly, softly to start
- After 24 hours, morale is high throughout the fleet
- Conditions are light and unstable and speeds are slow for the first 24 hours
- The fleet is split into two groups with those to the east making the best headway
3 Light and challenging conditions in the Med
- PRB maintains the lead over Paprec-Virbac 2 and Estrella Damm
- Delta Dore makes a move up the Spanish coastline
- The leaders are within 200 miles of Gibraltar
4 Upwind to Gibraltar
- West winds make for an upwind ride to Gibraltar
- PRB holds its lead with Paprec-Virbac 2 making a strong challenge
5 Paprec-Virbac 2 leads through Gibraltar
- Paprec-Virbac 2 led the fleet into the Atlantic, winning the first stage of the race
- The weather situation remains complicated into the Atlantic
6 Into the Atlantic, but?
- Paprec-Virbac 2 still in the lead
- Winds remain very light, at 6 to 9 knots
- Getting set up for the gate at the Canary Islands is the next challenge
7 The Atlantic Ocean casino
- It’s an upwind beat to the Canary Islands
- Paprec Virbac 2 and PRB head the fleet
8 High noon for the Canaries
- Leader Paprec-Virbac 2 says they’re 24 hours from the Canary Island gate
- Veolia Envrionnement, Delta Dore and Hugo Boss make a move
9 Match racing through the Canary Islands
- Paprec-Virbac 2 leads PRB through the Canary Islands gate
- Veolia Environnement and Delta Dore match each other tack for tack through the islands
- Leaders head for Brazil
10 Decision time
- Eight of nine boats in the fleet have passed the Canary Island gate
- Delta Dore wins stage two, fastest between Gibraltar and Canaries
- Paprec-Virbac 2 and PRB maintain a southerly heading
- Delta Dore and Veolia Environnement take a westerly option
11 Is the west best?
- Westerly option pays off for Veolia Environnement move to 3rd from 7th)
- Leaders are closer to African coast
- Doldrums lurking ahead
12 And they’re off!
- Leaders hook into the trade winds and speed away
- But light conditions frustrate the rest of the fleet
13 East, west, and everywhere in between
- Leaders reach the Cape Verde islands
- Head of the fleet spreads out from east
- Today marks the one year anniversary of Alex Thomson losing Hugo Boss in the southern ocean
14 Racing towards the doldrums
- Fast tradewind sailing for most of the fleet
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds a lead of 50 miles over PRB
- Each boat has chosen its route to face the Doldrums
15 Compression on and pressure up
- Leaders enter the doldrums and PRB makes dramatic gains on Paprec-Virbac 2
- Just seven miles separate leading pair
16 PRB grabs the lead! - Fast passage through the doldrums puts PRB into the lead
- The two leading boats have escaped the doldrums
- Veolia Environnement still trapped
17 Flying south towards Fernando
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 are in the southern hemisphere
- Vincent Riou and Sébastien Josse cross the third scoring gate with 35 mile lead
- Estrella Damm is still mired in the doldrums
18 Leaders stay close on the descent south
- The leading pair match each other to ensure they encounter the same weather on the fast descent to the south
- Doldrums keep hold of Estrella Damm as frustration on board mounts
19 Dueling in the South Atlantic
- Paprec-Virbac 2 reclaims the lead over PRB
- Hugo Boss fights to stay ahead of Delta Dore by just three miles
- Temenos II leads Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras crosses the equator
20 Further south – heading for the Cape
- Educacion sin Fronteras crosses Fernando scoring gate
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds tenuous lead over PRB
- Rest of the fleet gambles on Easterly route to try and make gains
21 Battle in force at front
- PRB leads over Paprec Virbac 2 again but by just 9 miles
- Fleet prepares to encounter Southern Ocean
22 Leaders take advantage - The weather conditions favour the leaders
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 are nearly five knots faster than the rest of the fleet
- “They’re going to get away,” says Alex Thomson
23 Paprec-Virbac 2 sets up to the west
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 maintain their advantage at the front
- Morale improves on Estrella Damm as they make gains
- The ‘Roaring Forties’ beckon
24 ‘It’s starting to feel like the South’
- The leaders spot their first Albatross as they descend near 40-degrees south
- The chasing pack makes gains
25 Welcome to the ‘Roaring Forties’
- PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 enter the ‘Roaring Forties’
- Direct route towards first ice gate 1400 miles away
- A cold front brings wind to the pursuing pack
26 The need for speed
- Estrella Damm breaks the 400 mile/day barrier: the first in the fleet to do so
- The bulk of fleet roars along sailing a cold front
- The leaders pass into the eastern hemisphere
27 ‘We just sailed 500 miles in 24 hours!!!’
- 500 miles in 24 hours – a new record is set by Hugo Boss
- The battle at the front closes up, with Paprec-Virbac 2 overtaking PRB
- Temenos II hits an object in the water, damaging their rudder
28 ‘It’s finished for us’
- Disaster for PRB as they lose the top of their mast
- The rest of the fleet offers commiserations but is determined not to slow down
29 Top four through Gate 4
- First four boats pass into Indian Ocean
- Temenos II surfs along at 34 knots
- PRB limps towards Cape Town
30 Estrella Damm to Cape Town for pit-stop
- Estrella Damm heads for Cape Town to assess damage to rudder system
- Paprec-Virbac 2, at the front, stretches away to a 472 mile day
31 Disaster as Delta Dore dismasts
- Delta Dore is dismasted in fourth place
- Water temperature plunges, icebergs a possibility
32 Cold, wet, windy and ice on the horizon
- The leader pluges south of 53°S
- Paprec-Virbac 2 extends its lead
- Hugo Boss is the winner of stage 4
33 Paying the price
- The first three boats approach the Kerguelen Islands
- Dick/Foxall steering on deck to maintain speed
- Estrella Damm arrives in Cape Town
34 Estrella Damm abandons the race
- Citing rudder damage and technical concerns, Estrella Damm abandons
- Paprec-Virbac 2 adds to lead, but forecast favours boats behind
35 Hugo Boss closes the gap with Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss cuts the lead in half to just 120 miles
- Paprec-Virbac 2 spots an iceberg at 55-degrees south
- Veolia Environnement stops at the Kerguelen Islands to make repairs
36 Veolia Environnement back in the race
- Veolia Envrionnement rejoins the race
- Battle rages at the front between Paprec Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss
- A deep low pressure system is forecast to hit Educacion Sin Fronteras and Mutua Madrileña
37 Veolia Environnement dismasts; the Southern Ocean claims another
- Veolia Environnement dismasts. Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias prepare a jury rig to head for Australia
38 Hugo Boss makes a move - Hugo Boss gains 90 miles over 24 hours to close within 38 miles of leader
- First two boats head for Australian safety gate
- Temenos II being nursed towards New Zealand with a keel problem
39 Tense at the top
- Compression at the front as Hugo Boss closes to within 12 miles
- Paprec-Virbac 2 heads for the south to protect its lead
- Extremely strong winds demand prudence from those at the back of the fleet
40 Paprec-Virbac 2 strikes back
- Paprec-Virbac 2 adds to its margin
- Conditions are still cold and miserable for those further back, 40 knots and 6 metre seas for Mutua Madrileña
41 The Southern Ocean roars
- The battle is tense up front as conditions turn ‘heinous’
- Weather eases for those at the back
42 Special Christmas wishes
- Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu takes part in the video conference, offering congratulations and best wishes to the fleet at sea in the Southern Ocean
43 Holding serve
- Paprec-Virbac 2 holds its advantage over Hugo Boss
44 Christmas Eve at sea
- Fois Gras and Christmas pudding for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss up to speed after a slow moment during the afternoon
- Albert Bargués on Educación sin Fronteras gets a call from family for Christmas
45 Rough Christmas as Santa brings testing conditions
- Paprec-Virbac 2 closes in on Cook Strait
- Big speeds for the rest of fleet in strong, Southern Ocean conditions
- Veolia Environnement closes to 650 miles from Cape Leeuwin
46 The Pacific for Paprec-Virbac 2, Wellington for Hugo Boss
- Paprec-Virbac 2 crosses into the Pacific
- A tactical pit-stop is scheduled in Wellington for Hugo Boss
- A big southern ocean storm for Educación sin Fronteras
47 The Cook Strait
- Hugo Boss pulls into the ‘pit-lane’ in Wellington
- Paprec-Virbac 2 wins first Southern Ocean stage
- Veolia Environnement has 500 miles to go under jury rig until arriving in Perth
48 Mr. Fix-it visits the leaders
- Paprec-Virbac 2 has rudder damage, but Jean-Pierre and Damian are up to the task of making repairs
- Work continues on Hugo Boss as the clock ticks on for their pit-stop
49 Tough at the top
- An enormous low pressure system is on the route for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Educación sin Fronteras makes good mileage
50 Wow! High speed racing at the back
- A 450 mile day for Educación sin Fronteras, their best of the race
51 Surrounded by ice
- Stress is high on board Paprec-Virbac 2 with icebergs all around
- Very different routes for the two leaders
- Veolia Environnement arrives in Perth, Temenos II approaches Wellington
52 ‘Like playing Russian Roulette’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 dances around the icebergs, Damian says it’s ‘like playing Russian Roulette’
- Temenos II due in Wellington
- Light winds for Mutua Madrilena and Educacion sin Fronteras
- 40 knots for the leaders
53 Climbing north towards ice gate
- Paprec-Virbac 2 fights to escape the ice, forced north by the ice gate
- Big wind coming for Hugo Boss
- Temenos II is in Wellington
54 Busy in the pit lane in Wellington
- Damage is less severe than was feared on Temenos II. They’ll rejoin the race soon
- Mutua Madrilena reveals it will stop as well
- The first Pacific low hits the leaders
55 Riding the low to Cape Horn
- Temenos II restarts
- Paprec-Virbac 2 sees 35 knots
- Educacion sin Fronteras becalmed
56 All calm but determined not to stop
- Educacion sin Fronteras still very slow, in very light winds
- The fifth place crew says they won’t stop in Wellington – if they ever get there!!!
57 Educacion sin Fronteras close to Wellington
- Light winds for the leader
- Educacion sin Fronteras near to Cook Strait
58 The Pacific Southern Ocean – a sea of contrast
- Paprec-Virbac 2 roaring along in strong Southern Ocean low pressure system
- Hugo Boss stuck in unusually mild conditions
59 Streaking towards the Horn
- Paprec-Virbac 2 nearing the coast of Chile
- Hugo Boss drops more miles in moderate conditions
- Temenos II makes modest gains
60 Last day in the south
- Paprec-Virbac 2 just 200 miles from Cape Horn
- Positions stabilise across the fleet
61 Around the horn
- Jean Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall pass Cape Horn in ‘exhausting’ conditions
- Harsh Southern Ocean storm conditions for Educacion sin Fronteras at the back of the fleet
62 Chasing the leader -
- Paprec-Virbac 2 sails west of the Falkland Islands
- Hugo Boss is fast and direct at the Horn posting a 422 mile day
- Miserable conditions for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
63 Wind is up for everyone
- A deep low is ahead for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss closes in on the Horn
- Big wind in the Southern Ocean for Temenos II, Mutua Madrileña and Educacion sin Fronteras
64 Hugo Boss around Cape Horn
- Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape round the Horn
- Miserable conditions persist for Mutua Madrileña
65 Temenos II flying along in the South
- A concertina effect for Paprec-Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss
- Strong winds near the Horn for Temenos II and Mutua Madrilena
- Educacion sin Fronteras passes the ice gate
66 Hugo Boss tears back into Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss gains 180 miles on the day
- Temenos II is three days from the Horn
- A difficult night for Javier Sanso and Pachi Rivero on Mutua Madrileña with a torn mainsail
67 Patience at the front, with trouble looming
- A better day for Paprec-Virbac 2, holding its position, with Hugo Boss becalmed for much of the day
- Cape Horn is a week away for Educacion sin Fronteras
68 A tricky South Atlantic
- Hugo Boss has miserable conditions in a fierce sea state
- Mutua Madrileña pulls within 200 miles of Temenos II
69 The great escape?
- Paprec-Virbac 2 finds the breeze and gains miles in the trade winds
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña look to pass Cape Horn tomorrow
70 A big day for Mutua Madrileña
- Mutua Madrileña is fastest in the fleet, gaining on Temenos II as both are around Cape Horn
71 Battling up the Atlantic
- Give and take at the front, with Paprec-Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss trading off advantages
- Gap falls to less than 100 miles between Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras just 700 miles from the Horn
72 Roaring towards Cape Horn
- Educacion sin Fronteras looks forward to Cape Horn, just 24 hours away, and hits 31 knots of speed
- Paprec-Virbac 2 encounters light conditions en route to the equator
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña battle near the Falkland Islands
73 Educacion sin Fronteras rounds the Horn
- Servane et Albert are out of the Southern Ocean
- Paprec-Virbac 2 finds the breeze
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña battle to a stalemate
74 The Atlantic for the fleet
- Paprec-Virbac 2 fast
- Hugo Boss slower
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña continue to march up the Atlantic in tandem
- First day in the Atlantic for Educacion sin Fronteras
75 Hooking up with the trade winds
- Paprec-Virbac 2 hooks into the trade winds and gains 170 miles
- Difficult, unstable weather conditions for the chasing pack
76 A ‘comfortable day’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 approaching the doldrums with confidence
- Hugo Boss drops further behind
77 Paprec-Virbac 2 hits the doldrums
- A front blocks the way for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras crew wants to be on land again!
- Paprec-Virbac 2 in the doldrums while Hugo Boss enjoys the trades
78 Back in the north
- The race leader crosses into the equator and returns to the Northern Hemisphere
- Hugo Boss makes rudder repair
79 A close battle for third place
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña are within just 40 miles of each other
- Paprec-Virbac 2 crosses into the Northern hemisphere
- Hugo Boss passes the Fernando de Noronha Gate
80 Challenging times in the Atlantic
- Fleet struggles in light headwinds
- Just 60 miles separate Temenos II from Mutua Madrileña
81 Hugo Boss cuts lead in half – or do they?
- Over the past five days, Hugo Boss gains 450 miles on distance to finish, but is still 700 miles downwind of the leader
- The lead for Temenos II is down to 81 miles
82 A tricky beast
- Paprec-Virbac 2 looks for strong easterlies just west of the Canary Islands
- Educacion sin Fronteras is fastest in the fleet enjoying a low pressure system off Rio de Janeiro
83 Just 2000 miles to glory
- Paprec-Virbac 2 under 2000 miles to go
- Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña stay close as they race towards Fernando scoring gate
- Big waves, no wind for Educacion sin Fronteras
85 Sprinting to Gibraltar, but with trouble ahead
- Paprec-Virbac 2 up to speed, but forecast is poor
- Hugo Boss has more favourable conditions forecast for next days
86 The passage home is blocked
- It’s a long road home for Paprec-Virbac 2 with weather systems forcing them north
- Hugo Boss should be able to cut the corner and make a gain
- Mutua Madrilena and Temenos II shadow each other in the trade winds
87 Sprinting to Gibraltar, but with trouble ahead
- Leader adds over 150 miles to lead
- Forecast is dire though, with strong headwinds predicted
- Just 95 miles in the fight for a podium finish between Temenos II and Mutua Madrilena
- Nice tradewind sailing for Educacion sin Fronteras
88 ‘Too many tacks, not enough food’
- Paprec-Virbac 2 is forced well north of Gibraltar, with a forecast for upwind conditions the rest of the way to the Med
- Hugo Boss roaring along and expecting to gain dramatically
- Unstable conditions further south provide opportunity in the battle for third place
89 Wind is up and so is the tension for the leader
- 700 miles from the finish the forecast turns sour for Paprec-Virbac 2
- Hugo Boss gains phenomenal 200 miles in a day
- Educacion sin Fronteras enjoys great trade wind conditions
90 Fierce fight to get to the Med
- 40 knot winds, commercial traffic and fierce seas make life miserable aboard Paprec-Virbac 2 approaching Gibraltar
- Gains slow for Hugo Boss, now 350 miles in arrears
- Champagne sailing for Temenos II and Mutua Madrileña
91 So near, but still so far
- Paprec-Virbac 2 into the Mediterranean Sea after fierce conditions in the Strait
- Temenos II extends away from Mutua Madrileña
- Educacion sin Fronteras within 3000 miles of home
92 One more day
- Paprec-Virbac 2 reveals details of near dismasting off Brazil
- Hugo Boss facing horrible night approaching Gibraltar
93 Paprec Virbac 2 wins the Barcelona World Race
- At 20 :49 :49 GMT after 92 days 8 hours 49minutes 49seconds
- Hugo Boss into the Mediterranean
94 Paprec Virbac 2 home 4 remain racing hard
- Hugo Boss strong headwinds in the Alboran Sea
- Temenos II approaching the Mediterranean
95 Final fight to the finish
- Last miles for Hugo Boss glorious sailing into Barcelona
- A tough entry for Temenos II into the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña 300 miles behind
96 Hugo Boss claims second place in the Barcelona World Race
- Hugo Boss arrive at 05:34:57 GMT after 94days 17hours 34minutes 57seconds
- Temenos II battle in the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña close the distance to180 miles of Temenos II
- Educacion sin Fronteras at Cape Verde Islands
97 A rough ride
- Temenos II in the Mediterranean after a rough crossing of the Straits
- Mutua Madrileña continue to recover miles
98 Mutua Madrileña back in home waters
- Mutua Madrileña rapid passage through the straits
- Calm sailing on the last few miles for Temenos II
- Fantastic sailing and speeds for Educacion sin Fronteras
99 Temenos II claims 3rd place in the Barcelona World Race
- Temenos II finish 3rd at 18 :09 :10 GMT after 98 days 6hours 9mins 10seconds
- Mutua Madrileña just 180 miles from home
- Educacion sin Fronteras at the Canary Islands
100 Last day of racing for Mutua Madrileña
- Mutua Madrileña approach the finish line in Barcelona – their last few hours on the water accompanied by numerous friends, family and supporters
- Educación sin Fronteras continues to enjoy near perfect sailing conditions
101 Mutua Madrileña finish 4th in the Barcelona World Race
- Incredible reception in Barcelona in the early hours of the 19th February for the home team
- Educacion sin Fronteras making steady progress towards the Gibraltar scoring gate
108 : Educación sin Fronteras finish 5th de la Barcelona World Race
- Barcelona-born sailor Albert Bargués and French yachtswoman Servane Escoffier crossed the finish line at 06:55:02 GMT to finish the Barcelona World Race in 5th place, after 108 days 18 hours, 55 minutes and 2 seconds, sailing a total distance of 27,892 miles at an average speed of 9.45 knots!
- An incredible achievement for one of only two mixed crews in the race, the Spanish-French duo were the least experienced in terms of circumnavigations; a first round the world race for 26 year old Escoffier, and the first offshore experience in 20 years for Bargués, for whom the arrival in his home city was particularly emotional,
fecha
2008-02-19T09:40:00
