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Press release Decembre 2003
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2003-12-31
Jean Luc Van den Heede’s new year wishes
[31 /12 /2003] VDH is alone at sea, in the heart of the “howling fifties”. It is from this deserted region that the yachtsman from Amiens sends his greetings to landlubbers everywhere.
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2003-12-30
VDH and Joyon, the meeting will not take place.
[30 /12 /2003 ] VDH and Francis Joyon won’t be celebrating together in the middle of the South Pacific after all. The weather put an end to their plans.
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2003-12-23
Christmas in the South Pacific
[23/12/2003] Jean Luc Van den Heede is getting read to spend his fourth Christmas alone at sea. He will probably be the last person on Earth to celebrate this festival.
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2003-12-19
ADRIEN in a pacified Pacific.
[19/12/2003] Some incredible conditions for VDH over the last few days aboard Adrien. Complete calm, a squall and then calm again… the Doldrums at 53° south!
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2003-12-17
Adrien being shaken around
[16 /12 /2003 ] « The road is rough, but it’s a bit of a surprise» said Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (VDH). Adrien and VDH have just experienced their first two big depressions.
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2003-12-10
Cape Horn: VDH, there for the tenth time!
[10 /12 /2003 ] As it is so rare, it is well worth pointing out that Jean-Luc Van Den Heede rounded the Horn downwind at 12 minutes past midnight (CET) this morning, after 32 days,...
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2003-12-8
VDH on a radio link with the Paris Boat Show
[8 /12 /2003 ] Jean Luc van den Heede aboard Adrien is currently attempting to break the 151 day round the world "backwards" record held by Philippe Monnet.
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2003-12-3
Adrien is drawing close to the roaring forties
[2/12/2003] The climate, the winds, the temperature; everything has changed for Adrien, who is currently sailing off the North of Argentina.
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Press release of 2003-12-31 |
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Jean Luc Van den Heede’s new year wishes
[31 /12 /2003] VDH is alone at sea, in the heart of the “howling fifties”. It is from this deserted region that the yachtsman from Amiens sends his greetings to landlubbers everywhere.
«For this New Year, I would sincerely like to see an end to violence. I would also like people to understand that we are all in the same boat, otherwise known as The Earth, and that we are sailing along in the Universe. It seems to me that we aren’t taking enough care of our ship. On a personal level, in 2004, I hope to succeed after so many years of trying. As for Francis Joyon, I hope he achieves a new record, and look forward to meeting up with him in Les Sables d’Olonne, on the quayside, where he plans to wait for my arrival. We will celebrate the New Year together on dry land in the Spring».
For the time being, sailing upwind, VDH is making headway towards the antipodal meridian that he should cross tomorrow. Apart from his usual activities, Jean Luc is going to take some time out to get a little make-do celebration together: « I’ve got three bottles of Champagne with me for the round the world trip. The first was drunk as I rounded the Horn, the second is reserved for the antipodal meridian and the third for the Cape of Good Hope. I’ll be celebrating the New Year and the crossing of the dateline at the same time, as this is a very important moment for me. I’ve already planned my meal: Scallops, potted guinea-fowl and a bottle of fine wine from Adrien’s cellar. You can see I’m taking things very seriously».
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-30 |
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VDH and Joyon, the meeting will not take place.
[30 /12 /2003 ] VDH and Francis Joyon won’t be celebrating together in the middle of the South Pacific after all. The weather put an end to their plans.
“It’s a pity,” said Jean Luc at midday, “we really would have liked to meet up and see each other. I was forced to go down to lower latitudes (54°30) to avoid the strong winds from the west/ north-west, while Francis had to head up because of head on winds generated by a low-pressure area located further north. So we’re moving apart from each other at the moment. We shall, however, be crossing the same longitude, but a long way from each other. We promised to celebrate together back on dry land together some time in the future”. In spite of this missed rendezvous, which was a little surrealist to begin with, VDH is looking forward to another appointment coming up soon: crossing the antipodal meridian. “I should be crossing this imaginary line on the first of January early in the morning French time. My degrees of longitude will slowly be disappearing. It’s an important crossing point for me. I’m going to have to rip a day off my personal calendar, so it will be the first of January. Because I’m 12 hours behind you, I’ll be going 12 hours ahead”. Talking of being ahead, VDH is now two weeks ahead of Philippe Monnet. “That’s great, as I’ll be able to manage my time more easily in the future, looking after Adrien, and being cautious”.
As for the weather, things have calmed down after a violent gale 24 hours ago. Jean Luc has managed to bring Adrien back up to speed and raised the sails in a 15-knot wind. “There’s still a bit of swell, but it’s nothing compared to yesterday. It was the first time since starting that I didn’t have any foresail up and had pulled in three reefs”. This relatively clement weather will allow VDH to have a quiet celebration and to think of his wishes for 2004...
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-23 |
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Christmas in the South Pacific
[23/12/2003] Jean Luc Van den Heede is getting read to spend his fourth Christmas alone at sea. He will probably be the last person on Earth to celebrate this festival.
«I’ll have to look at the question, but, in theory, apart from a few isolated inhabitants on some Pacific islands, I should be one of the last people to celebrate Christmas». Aboard Adrien, the preparations are advancing: The decoration of the cabin, choice of the menu and the gathering together of the little presents... «I’m going to give myself the pleasure of a little “foie gras”, followed by duck “à l’orange”, some camembert out of a box and a chocolate hazelnut dessert, all swallowed down with some fine claret or a Burgundy from between 95 and 98, that I haven’t yet chosen from my cellar. I’m going to wrap the bottle up in my duvet, because it’s getting a bit cold down here. As for the presents, there are obviously some books and music, and if I’ve guessed right from the shape of the packets and the labels, some food».
The Pacific is offering a truce to leave the yachtsman from Amiens take a breather. «Over the last few days, I’ve had a rather tough time of it. Adrien was smashing down on the waves and was suffering terribly. For the moment, things are improving. The wind is on the beam and has abated, and so I’m making good headway». And for the icing on the cake (the Christmas cake), VDH has, since earlier today, 10 days’ lead over Philippe Monnet. «He went so far up to the north, after his problems in amongst the icebergs that the gap is widening at the moment».
After 46 days at sea, VDH is in fine fettle, and this Christmas alone at sea hasn’t affected his mood in the slightest. «I’ll call my daughter, my son and their mother to say hello to them. There’s not a twinge of sadness. For thirty years now, I’ve been gallivanting around, so they’ve had plenty of time to get used to my damned foolishness».
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-19 |
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ADRIEN in a pacified Pacific.
[19/12/2003] Some incredible conditions for VDH over the last few days aboard Adrien. Complete calm, a squall and then calm again… the Doldrums at 53° south!
On the water, there are no rules. Weather forecasting isn’t an exact science, even if the information given is more and more precise. Out at sea, sailors can sometimes hardly believe their eyes. VDH has been stuck in a rut for the last four days, with the result that his lead has melted away, and his sails have been swinging from one side to the other, and are starting to show signs of wear, so he is growing impatient. «I can’t do anything about it. This feeling of powerlessness is getting me down. All I can do is sit and wait and look forward to better things to come and that’s about it. The silence down here in the fifties, which should be roaring, is quite astonishing. There’s brilliant sunshine, it was 14° this morning at 10 o’clock and if the sea wasn’t down to 7°, I’d feel like taking a dip...Things should in theory, start to improve in the next few hours. There’s a low-pressure area a bit high up that I could hop on to in the right direction sailing downwind. But when there’s no wind at all, favourable or head on, any old wind would do!»
In spite of his temporary problems, VDH still has the same goal. He won’t head any further south, where he would run the risk of coming across some ice. «Philippe Monnet went down a long way, and that’s where his problems started. I still have more than five days’ lead over him and I should start clawing back the miles shortly. I think the decision not to go beyond 53° is a good compromise»
To help make the time pass more quickly, Jean Luc Van den Heede is keeping himself busy. Apart from keeping a constant eye on his Pechiney aluminium monohull, the sailor from Amiens is reading a lot, cleaning his boat, grabbing some sleep and eating...The latest book: Rouge Brésil, a fine novel by Jean Christophe Rufin about the colonisation of Brazil by the French in the 16th Century.
At 2 p.m. today, Adrien picked up some wind again and the yachtsman’s mood is set fair.
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-17 |
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Adrien being shaken around
[16 /12 /2003 ] « The road is rough, but it’s a bit of a surprise» said Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (VDH). Adrien and VDH have just experienced their first two big depressions. With more than 6 days’ lead over Philippe Monnet’s record, VDH is easing off as much as possible. Today, he is taking advantage of the calm weather before the next storm arrives.
After being directly hit by two depressions, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede knows full well that he is now in the boiling cauldron of the southern seas. This was the programme for Sunday: 45 knot winds from the West/Nor’west in very heavy seas, brought back memories to him of what happened on his previous attempts. You could feel it in his voice: «I’ve had a tough old night on board Adrien. Another depression, deeper than the first, went right over me on Sunday night with some violent winds (40-45 knots), but above all some very heavy seas. As a result, I’ve headed a little further north.
For it would be easy to forget it perhaps, but VDH has only just started to tackle the North Face of his Everest. After 32 days of sailing down the Atlantic, Adrien is now about to undertake at least 60 to 70 days sailing in the wrong direction, with depression after depression and thousands of waves to climb up... and down. « Try as I might, there’s no stopping Adrien slamming down, when the sea is heavy ...not unless I turn around and head home!». That isn’t the goal. Francis Joyon, who is just seeing things from the other side of the southern oceans doesn’t seem to be very envious of him. «He’ll be taking a lot head-on, but that’s what he’s in it for !» And Jean-Luc confirmed that: «The days go by and one day is never like the other. Yesterday, I was tired after the night’s storm, while today, I’ve had a good rest in the quiet weather, which is just the transitionary period before the next storm arrives.... » On Thursday probably.
So to look at things differently, the yachtsman from Amiens is setting himself some new targets in the short term: « I worked out that if I make 5 degrees to the West everyday, I’ll reach the antemeridian on New Year’s Day. In that direction, as I will lose a day because of the time difference (6h for the moment), it would be quite something to miss New Year’s Day. I’m going to have to hurry up!»
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-10 |
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Cape Horn: VDH, there for the tenth time!
[10 /12 /2003 ] As it is so rare, it is well worth pointing out that Jean-Luc Van Den Heede rounded the Horn downwind at 12 minutes past midnight (CET) this morning, after 32 days, 11 hours and 50 minutes of sailing. So he has 5 days 21 hours and 25 mins lead over Philippe Monnet.
The description of these exceptional conditions for this area were listened to by Jean Le Cam, who was present during the radio link on the Les Sables d’Olonne stand at the Paris Boat Show.
«The low-pressure area moved to the north, which is something that never happens, because they normally get blocked by the Andes mountain range. So, I’ve got some 40-knot easterlies pushing Adrien along to the West at an average speed of 13 knots with just the genoese raised» explained VDH.
« I’m zooming along in the right direction, and my lead will give me some breathing space, when I need it. After three attempts, I’m being cautious». As for Louis Guédon, the MP and mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne, he was worried about the yachtsman’s health. «Everything is going well, I’ve had a good rest and am eating well. To celebrate my tenth rounding of the Horn, I’ve prepared a nice little dinner for myself: crab and paëlla».
Copyright-free TV link available from SERTE Paris at 5.30 p.m(CET)
Audio radio report available also from Didier Piron by ringing 06 08 51 72 73
PR officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2003-12-8 |
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VDH on a radio link with the Paris Boat Show
[8 /12 /2003 ] Jean Luc van den Heede aboard Adrien is currently attempting to break the 151 day round the world "backwards" record held by Philippe Monnet.
If you would like to follow in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Monsieur Jean Pierre Raffarin, you are invited to join in with the radio link with the yachtsman Jean Luc Van den Heede (VDH) each day at 11h30 at the Paris Boat Show.
Stand: Vendée Les Sables d'Olonne
Hall 1 - Stand n° L100 / N109
11h30 everyday.
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Press release of 2003-12-3 |
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Adrien is drawing close to the roaring forties
[2/12/2003] The climate, the winds, the temperature; everything has changed for Adrien, who is currently sailing off the North of Argentina.
«This morning I was completely becalmed. The winds go around each low-pressure area, and are irregular and variable in direction. I had to lower everything. When there is no wind, the mainsail flaps, the boat rolls, and the mast is put under needless strain. I have to keep a permanent eye on Adrien. When I lowered the sails this morning, I noticed the mainsail halyard pulley was damaged. In fact, it had been rubbing against the head gear, because the mainsail wasn’t taut. It was lucky I noticed it. I changed it and now, everything is fine. For the moment we’re on our way again. I’m heading south and the temperature has become quite pleasant again. I’m no longer sweating pints, when setting the sails.»
In four or five days, VDH will be down level with the Falklands, which he plans to leave on his port side. «In the forties, the prevailing winds are westerlies. I’m taking every opportunity to get as far west as possible, in order not to have to sail too close to the wind.»
With a 9 to 10 knot average per day since he set sail on the 7th November, Adrien could reach Cape Horn on the 11th December. «Even if this is my tenth time, I still feel a little apprehension. It’s a place you can’t just dismiss. Beyond that point, you know you’ll be getting into low-pressure areas, with wind and difficulties to deal with. The Andes range protects us a little on this side of the South American continent. Once the Horn has been rounded, the work really begins. On the Vendée Globe, it’s a point of deliverance, but in the opposite direction, it’s really the start of the round the world « backwards » trip. So there has to be a little stress.»
Press officer: Rivacom
Véronique Guillou 0670109125. veronique@rivacom.fr
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