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Fedor Konyukhov sets inaugural record for Antarctica Cup Ocean Race
www.antarcticacup.com @ Wed May 07 11:34:00 +0100 2008
Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov returned to Albany, Western Australia, a hero today, throwing down the gauntlet to yachtsmen around the world to break his 102 day record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
For the bearded 56 year old sailor, this was his 4th solo circumnavigation. ‘Will it be his last?’, Fedor was asked “Having just spent 95 days in the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, I’m not planning to go back in the near future. But the Southern Ocean provides the most spectacular sailing conditions in the world. If I go again, it will be with a crew to make the most of the wild surfing rides you get down there.” He answered.
Setting out from Albany with his Open 85ft monohull Trading Network Alye Parusa at 18:21:40 UTC (10:21:40 WST) on Australia Day – 26th January to take on yachting’s last great frontier. He braved a succession of storms, freezing temperatures, the ever present threat of icebergs and collisions with wales. Konyukhov came through it all unscathed, returning to King George Sound at 02: 56:50 UTC (10:56:50 WST) today to record a time of 102 days 00 hours 56 minutes 50secs for this 16,400 mile circuit of Antarctica.
He had set out from Falmouth England on 12th October 2007, and discounting a 5 day stop in Cape Town and 2 weeks in Albany prior to the start, his 85ft yacht has been ‘home’ for the past 6 months. “We have done 30,000 miles together and now have the greatest respect for her. But I am looking forward now to a nice thick steak, a shower, clean sheets, and 12 hours of sleep. It sounds basic, but that is exactly what I need.” He told reporters gathered on Albany Dock to greet him back
To commemorate this inaugural voyage, Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Race Management announced that they will name Gate 12 (0º W – 0º E) within the Racetrack as the Konyukhov Gate.
Stop Press - Konyukhov now within 150 miles of Albany finish
www.antarcticacup.com @ Tue May 06 10:54:00 +0100 2008
Dateline 20:20 UTC 5th April 2008
Position: 36°08.90’S 115°47.20’E
Course: 37° Speed: 6 knots
Wind 10knots WNW
Distance to finish: 150 n.miles
Fedor plans for Wednesday morning WST finish – whales willing!
Day 100: Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov is now within 150 miles of sailing into the record books as the first to complete a circumnavigation of Antarctica below 45°S. The 56 year old adventurer now expects to reach Albany, the start and finish point for the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race, on Wednesday morning – providing there are no more moments like last night when he came within a few metres of hitting a whale.
Fedor reports:
“I went on deck as the sun was setting – and just in time spotted a giant sperm whale on a collision heading with my yacht. It was steaming towards the southern ocean without paying any attention to my vessel – like a 20m long piece of driftwood, with a powerful fountain!
I just managed to bear away as it passed 5-6 meters from the bow. If I had not taken rapid action I would certainly have hit it. It reminded me never to say one is in safe waters until the boat is alongside the jetty. Even within 150 miles of the finish anything can happen.
Right now I’m in a tricky situation. I have all sails set with nightfall approaching together with some menacing black clouds I’m fighting the temptation to reduce sail to be on the safe side in case of a sudden squall, but at the same time I don’t want to slow down the boat. It would be crazy to damage the rig or a sail so close to the finish, yet I need to reach Albany by Wednesday – before the winds fail. This is going to be stressful and sleepless night. The ocean is smooth and it is very, very, calm – well much calmer than the weather I had to endure three days ago.”
One last night at sea for Konyukhov
www.antarcticacup.com @ Tue May 06 10:45:00 +0100 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.
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