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Press release Janvier 2004
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2004-1-30
An option, which is paying off
[30 /1 /2004 ] VDH is happy, as although he headed up to 38 south prolonging his route, he is now reaping the benefits of this choice, having picked up some favourable winds.
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2004-1-27
ADRIEN to the north of the Kerguelen Islands
[27/1/2004] «Today is a great day. I’ve turned my charts over and can now see South Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island, and The Seychelles… It feels like the end of the Indian Ocean ».
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2004-1-23
Adrien, 19 days ahead of Monnet
[23/1/2004] Jean Luc Van den Heede is happy. He’s just managed to grab another day’s lead over Philippe Monnet.
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2004-1-20
Adrien : 74th day at sea
[20 /1 /2004 ] Time slips slowly by on board Jean Luc Van den Heede’s monohull. At 38° south, in the middle of nowhere, in flat calm conditions, VDH is having to remain patient.
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2004-1-15
VDH in a T-shirt at the edge of the forties
[15 /1 /2004 ] «I’m entering the Indian Ocean in some extraordinary conditions. There’s a 12-knot wind. Adrien is sailing with the mainsail fully raised and the genoese. It’s 20° in the cabin and I’m
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2004-1-14
The difficult conditions continue
[13 /1 /2004 ] You might say it’s the right weather for the season. Dreadful weather in any case for Adrien, who is making slow headway under the Australian continent.
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2004-1-10
" I’m no longer racing against myself. It was fun while it lasted".
[9 /1 /2004 ] Today, Adrien crossed her route from last year with around fifteen days' lead over her previous achievement. She lost her mast after 64 days at sea last time around.
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2004-1-6
ADRIEN down under Tasmania
[6 /1 /2004 ] From anguish to euphoria, there’s only one step or rather one weather pattern that Jean-Luc Van den Heede slowly made his way through during the last 24 hours...
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Press release of 2004-1-30 |
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An option, which is paying off
[30 /1 /2004 ] VDH is happy, as although he headed up to 38 south prolonging his route, he is now reaping the benefits of this choice, having picked up some favourable winds.
"I should be getting some favourable winds until the 2nd of February. Adrien is happy, as since the Horn, we haven’t had such fine conditions." 25 knots, downwind, in a steady wind, which means the 30 tonnes monohull is pleased to be sliding along at more than 13 knots. "The pilot is working well, the boat is well adjusted, and the situation is comfortable enough for me to be able to prepare a couscous for lunch. That doesn’t often happen, as it’s a dish that requires several saucepans over a single burner, so Adrien has to be stable".
Jean-Luc is less than 2000 miles from the Cape of Good Hope that he thinks he should round next weekend, if the weather doesn’t change. Adrien is making headway, without slamming down, pushed along by the wind, and the final stretch before the finishing line is coming up at last... "I have to remain vigilant, as there are still several dangers to avoid around South Africa. Philippe Monnet had to go and shelter for two days in a bay. Ideally, I’ll be downwind, but with Adrien’s thirty tonnes, I need 30 to 40 knot winds. That would be nice, but having said that, I’m ready to take whatever comes along".
As usual, Jean-Luc looks at things philosophically. Far from being tired, VDH says simply "When Adrien is fine, I’m fine too..."
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Press release of 2004-1-27 |
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ADRIEN to the north of the Kerguelen Islands
[27/1/2004] «Today is a great day. I’ve turned my charts over and can now see South Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island, and The Seychelles…
It feels like the end of the Indian Ocean ».
The end of VDH’s epic voyage is still a long way off, but it is certainly true that rounding the Cape of Good Hope will mark the end of the Southern Hemisphere and the return to calmer weather conditions.
«I’m 600 miles north of the Kerguelen Islands sailing upwind still, and I should round the tip of South Africa in a fortnight or so». « Still sailing upwind» the Amiens yachtsman said, which means he has to carry out a lot of changes of tack to find the best course. «It’s a bit like in a regatta. I’m looking for the best tack to head west, so I’m changing tack again and again. I hope to be taking advantage of the choice I made and pick up some of the low-pressure areas coming down from Reunion Island. They should allow me to improve my daily score, which for the moment isn’t much better than Philippe Monnet’s. I’ve got 18 days lead over him. It would be nice to turn that into three weeks, just to make it a nice round number».
As soon as the weather allows it, Jean Luc Van den Heede deals with the maintenance aboard Adrien, especially that involving the mainsail. «I stuck on and sewed in two big patches, one above the second reef and the other in the fall. On the other hand, the edge I sewed up is starting to fray again. However, I’m not too worried about that. I do have a spare mainsail, and even if I have to take down the one that’s up, I know the trip wouldn’t come to an end if it gave up the ghost. I’ve already put up a new mainsail on Adrien in a 35-knot wind, when there were only two of us on board. It would take me little time, but it certainly wouldn’t stop me».
What would stop VDH then?
Concerning the projects he is cogitating during his long days alone, he said to his land base just now that he would like to take part in the mini transat transatlantic race!
RivaCom/Véronique Guillou 0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2004-1-23 |
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Adrien, 19 days ahead of Monnet
[23/1/2004] Jean Luc Van den Heede is happy. He’s just managed to grab another day’s lead over Philippe Monnet.
«For a while, my 18-day lead over Philippe didn’t move. I’m happy to get a little further ahead. Based on where I am today, even if I didn’t extend my lead by a single day over his record, I would arrive on the 18th March. I’m planning to gain a little more over him. I’m making good headway. Yesterday, I crossed 5° of longitude and today 4.5°».
He’s keeping his spirits high on board Adrien. There’s some fine weather, the sea is calm and he has a good lead after two and a half months at sea.
«The Indian Ocean is ...pacific, which is nice. Having said that, I’ve still got a way to go from here to the Cape of Good Hope and I’ll be heading down to the forties to get some more wind».
The days seem to be slipping by quite peacefully aboard the long aluminium monohull. VDH talks casually about his daily routine, but behind this calm facade, the reality can be quite different. Months of being alone in the middle of nowhere. Weeks seeing no one except for some quizzical albatrosses. Continual manoeuvres to carry out, the cold, the wet, and above all, a course going "backwards", which means the Amiens yachtsman doesn’t have the pleasure of sliding along. Jean-Luc is going around the world upwind, which means the boat is always leaning to one side and slamming down into the waves.
«I don’t have time to get bored. There’s nothing monotonous about it. There is of course the need to keep your eyes open and to look after Adrien all the time, but also lots of work setting the sails. The wind, which is often variable, in strength and direction, means I have to adjust the sails regularly, which is tough physical work».
RivaCom/Véronique Guillou 0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2004-1-20 |
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Adrien : 74th day at sea
[20 /1 /2004 ] Time slips slowly by on board Jean Luc Van den Heede’s monohull. At 38° south, in the middle of nowhere, in flat calm conditions, VDH is having to remain patient.
«The howling forties are lifeless. After a weekend of rough weather, for the moment, I am in light puffs of air that I am trying to catch to make headway west. I didn’t have any choice about it, I had to head up to avoid a deep low pressure area. I am now facing a high-pressure area, and I knew I was going to have to remain patient. I’ve more than 18 days’ lead over Monnet, so that’s an important gap and means I don’t need to worry too much».
The Amiens yactsman remains stoical, sailing in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He is waiting for some better weather and taking advantage of these calm days to check out Adrien completely. «The atmosphere is very serious. I noticed the motor was making a strange noise. When I checked it out, I saw that the bolts which keep it in place had worked loose. As for the mainsail, there’s no improvement there. Alongside the holes developing around the reefing points, the fall of the sail is staring to tear. I just hope it will last the whole trip. I have also repaired some parts of the B Standard, which seemed to show signs of being worn out».
Apart from the surveillance and maintenance of his aluminium monohull, Jean Luc is amusing himself watching the albatrosses, which are accompanying him. «They watch me go by and seem to be asking themselves who this strange creature is. I can’t stop thinking about a cartoon, Bernard and Bianca, when I see them taking off. They look like a heavy bomber on the runway, it’s really funny. To tell the truth, I’m having fun forcing them to take off».
No room here for cartoons, VDH is waiting impatiently for the wind to get up again. His wish should come true tonight.
RivaCom/Véronique Guillou 0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2004-1-15 |
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VDH in a T-shirt at the edge of the forties
[15 /1 /2004 ] «I’m entering the Indian Ocean in some extraordinary conditions. There’s a 12-knot wind. Adrien is sailing with the mainsail fully raised and the genoese. It’s 20° in the cabin and I’m dressed in a T-shirt ».
As Jean Luc Van den Heede is preparing to round Cape Leeuwin, the second mythical marker in his round the world trip, the Indian Ocean has decided to give him a very warm welcome. «It’s a good sign. But the Indian Ocean does have a bad reputation, so I’m not falling for it that easily...I’m going to try to stay on the edge of the high pressure area, which will allow me to avoid a long diversion, while sailing upwind, without being too close to the wind ».
On the 69th day of the race, VDH has reached the point where Philippe Monnet was after 87 days at sea, which certainly pleases the yachtsman from Amiens. «Since Tasmania, I’ve hardly gained anything extra over Philippe. He went much faster than me through this zone. Having said that, he went up much further and therefore had to cover many more miles. I don’t have a clear forward strategy, but I’ll be staying on the edge of the forties. The sea temperature is currently around 14°, so there isn’t much likelihood of coming across an iceberg ».
The weather, which is particularly pleasant, has allowed Jean Luc to put back out his solar panels and to charge up his batteries without the help of the motor or the wind turbines. «Adrien is doing well, although I’m a little worried about the mainsail, which is getting a bit worn, but I think it will hold out until the end of the trip. As for me, my mood is linked to the weather and Pierre Lasnier’s forecasts».
In front of the bow of the aluminium monohull: the gateway to the Indian Ocean,the final major hurdle in the round the world backwards trip, after which Adrien will be rounding the Cape of Good Hope, which really can justify its name this time.
RivaCom/Véronique Guillou 0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2004-1-14 |
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The difficult conditions continue
[13 /1 /2004 ] You might say it’s the right weather for the season. Dreadful weather in any case for Adrien, who is making slow headway under the Australian continent.
«For three or four days now, I haven’t been gaining anymore over Philippe Monnet. My lead is stuck at 18 days, but that still gives me considerable satisfaction. In fact, Philippe headed up to the thirties south, to pick up some favourable winds and make good headway. Having said that, that route is much longer, so it’s not what I would choose. So, I’m staying in the forties, where the weather is normal with classic conditions, which isn’t much fun».
Last night, Adrien had to once again head into the wind gusting up to 50 knots. Between the gusts caused by the squalls, the wind eases off, while the sea still remains heavy… So, VDH is having to do a lot of work for his boat to advance as much as possible. One reef, two reefs, three reefs… Solent, staysail, then, once the sail has been reduced, he has to hoist it back up again… What has just been said in a few lines is carried out over several hours in the cold, wet and storm. More than bravery, you really have to be determined and tough just to keep going.
For the moment, the conditions have eased somewhat, but Jean Luc is getting ready to face up to the next low pressure area forecast in 48 hours by Pierre Lasnier, his route planner.
«When there is a little technical problem on a big boat like this down in such regions, it can quickly get out of hand and things can be ruined very quickly. You just have to keep on top of things ».
Jean Luc should reach Cape Leeuwin on Thursday morning.
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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Press release of 2004-1-10 |
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" I’m no longer racing against myself. It was fun while it lasted".
[9 /1 /2004 ] Today, Adrien crossed her route from last year with around fifteen days' lead over her previous achievement. She lost her mast after 64 days at sea last time around.
"Up until now, I was racing against myself on the same course. It was great fun, as it was like a carrot dangling in front of me. From now on, I’ll be entering a zone that I’ve never been through in this direction, as this is where my race ended last year. I’ve about fifteen days’ lead over myself and 18 days over Philippe Monnet".
Some uncharted waters for VDH, who is currently leaving the howling fifties to head up towards the roaring forties. "That’s enough for the Indian Ocean...the risk of coming across an iceberg is lower and the temperature will be more clement, because at the moment, it’s really cold".
Aboard Adrien, Jean-Luc is taking advantage of the sou’westerly flow to head back up the latitudes. The weather is highly unstable. Adrien is experiencing squall after squall, and is being tossed around by winds varying between 40 and 15 knots. VDH plans to cover only around 150 miles today, as opposed to 240 yesterday. The next stage for the aluminium monohull is Cape Leeuwin that the yachtsman from Amiens thinks he will pass next Friday. Then, it will be the final chapter of the South Seas in the Indian Ocean. "I was being egged on by looking at where I was last year, and had fun trying to beat that, but now I’m going to manage my lead with the utmost caution. There’s still a long way to go before crossing the finishing line off Ushant, but it should take between 120 and 130 days".
Adrien and her skipper are both doing well. "I don’t have any problems, physical or psychological. The boat hasn’t really suffered any major damage. I’m doing a few odd jobs, some maintenance and everything possible to avoid putting her under any strain".
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Press release of 2004-1-6 |
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ADRIEN down under Tasmania
[6 /1 /2004 ] From anguish to euphoria, there’s only one step or rather one weather pattern that Jean-Luc Van den Heede slowly made his way through during the last 24 hours at the helm of his large monohull Adrien (26 m), as he heads towards the Australian continent.
Checking in at midday off Tasmania, which he will leave above him after only 60 days sailing, since he left the tip of Brittany, VDH has picked up some winds on the beam - 20 knot northerlies – which are sending him along at a respectable speed of 12 knots towards Cape Leeuwin. Van den Heede now has 15 and a half days’ lead over the singlehanded record for going round the world backwards (against the prevailing currents and winds) held by Philippe Monnet in 151 days 19 h 54’36’’ since 9th June 2000.
Struggling against the damp
The weather conditions are exceptional close to the Antarctic polar circle and are particularly appreciated by the former maths teacher, after he spent a night on deck manoeuvring in little puffs of wind. " The wind has finally returned and today, I’m sailing along the 55th parallel south with some favourable winds in a zone, where the weather is constantly changing. The sea is either violent, which was the case for the past two days, or splendid like today. And then there are times with no wind, like last night," said the single-handed yachtsman from Amiens, before he complained, "more than the cold, you have to fight all the time against the damp, which gets in everywhere aboard Adrien, and I’m struggling too to keep it out of the old man himself. Even if I was wearing waterproofs on deck, and several layers of fleeces, then took them off inside to try to dry my clothes, there’s nothing you can do about it. My duvet is wet, as are all the papers on the chart table".
The radar is watching out for squalls.
"A huge depression is heading towards me " revealed Jean-Luc to finish, "I’ve therefore taken the decision to head up 3 degrees of latitude for the next two days to avoid hitting it head on!". While waiting to "round Cape Leeuwin at the south westerly tip of Australia in ten days, which marks another stage in the global venture", Adrien’s skipper continues to watch out for squalls. "My radar is permanently on, sweeping the surface of the water for six miles around, ready to detect the smallest iceberg".
After 60 days at sea:
Press officer: Véronique Guillou -Rivacom 06 70 10 91 25
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