News

May 6, 2008

Dateline: 06:56 UTC 6th May 2008
Position: 35°44.95’S 116°27.02’E
Course: 10° Speed: 4 knots
Wind 5-10knots variable Northerlies
Distance to finish: 80 n.miles

Day 100: At 07:00 UTC (15:00 WST) Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov was within 80 miles of setting an inaugural record for the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. Having turned his back on the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, the 56 year old adventurer is now sweating to make more than 4 knots in the light head winds produced by the high pressure system currently hanging over Cape Leeuwin and the finish line set inside King George Sound.

“Here in Albany the wind is blowing only 5-8 knots, so it is hard to work out Fedor’s ETA with any accuracy.” Said Oscar Konyukhov, Trading Network Alye Perusa’s shore manager, adding. “ We expect the winds to drop further overnight, so our best estimate is a Wednesday morning finish.”

Press Call:
The press boat Silverstar will leave Albany Town Jetty at 08:00 WST. Weather permitting, it will then head out to greet Fedor Konyukhov off Eclipse Island, and follow his yacht Trading Network Alye Perusa to the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race finish line inside King George Sound. Once across the line Fedor will head for Middleton Bay and make a sweep around Marine Drive, then drop sails and moor up alongside the Albany Town Jetty.

Fedor will then attend a press conference aboard Silverstar when he will also receive the Antarctica Cup Perpetual Trophy and the City of Albany medal.