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Press release Novembre 2003
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2003-11-28
ADRIEN, three days ahead of Philippe Monnet.
[28/11/2003] Jean Luc Van den Heede went down below the latitude of Rio de Janeiro last night and is continuing to head down the Brazilian coast.
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2003-11-26
«Bring in, shake out and adjust...»
[25/11/2003] The trade winds are completely unreliable close to the Brazilian coast. «They are variable in direction and force and so you have to make a lot of adjustments».
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2003-11-22
ADRIEN in the Southern Hemisphere
[22/11/2003] at 11 minutes past 4 GMT, ADRIEN crossed the Equator. It was the fourteenth time VDH has crossed the mythical line.
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2003-11-21
ADRIEN a few hours away from the Equator
[21/11/2003] With 120 miles to go to pass from the northern to the Southern Hemisphere, VDH was still in the Doldrums.
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2003-11-19
ADRIEN Off the coast of Senegal
[18/11/2003] Everything is going fine aboard the long monohull sailing under the colours of Adrien and Pechiney. «After going through the Bay of Biscay, going down the Atlantic is often the most pleasant part...
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2003-11-14
Adrien off the Canaries
[14/11/2003] After passing Madeira, VDH is sailing off the Canaries waiting for the trade winds to blow a little more strongly.
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2003-11-12
ADRIEN getting closer to the trade winds
[12/11/2003] Everything is going fine aboard Adrien; Jean Luc has got back into the stride of sailing and the days go by, constructed around making adjustments to the huge Pechiney aluminium boat...
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2003-11-7
VDH wants to be back before the 1st of April.
[7/11/2003] To beat Philippe Monnet, Jean Luc Van den Heede will have to cross the finishing line before 16 minutes and 1 second past 7(GMT) on the 7th April.
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2003-11-6
ADRIEN takes to sea
On stand-by since the 26th October in Les Sables d’Olonne, it was at 1.04 p.m. today in a happy and relaxed atmosphere that Adrien set out again to tackle the Global Challenge (around the world backwards).
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Press release of 2003-11-28 |
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ADRIEN, three days ahead of Philippe Monnet
[28/11/2003] Jean Luc Van den Heede went down below the latitude of Rio de Janeiro last night and is continuing to head down the Brazilian coast.
After Rio de Janeiro, it will be Santos, then Porto Alegre, names, which really sound like an exotic trip into the Brazilian landscape, except that on board Adrien, VDH cannot see any of this magnificent coastline. «I can’t even see any fishing boats, as I am too far offshore.»
In a northerly wind, Adrien is continuing to head down towards Cape Horn at a good speed. «Last night, there was a 30-knot wind blowing steadily, which allowed me to achieve a good average speed. Not as fast as Joyon, but he is aboard a multihull, and in any case I’ll be turning right, while Francis will be going left...» jokes Jean Luc. «The weather is still very pleasant, even if the trade winds have disappeared. It’s 27°, but the sky is overcast and it’s drizzling. Tomorrow night, the wind should abate, but only for a while, so there’s no need to worry. No need to worry about Adrien either. Both the man and his craft are in fine fettle. I’ve started feeding myself on tins, partly to lessen the weight on the boat before we hit the southern seas, and I’m keeping the freeze-dried food for later. I’m feeling fine, not at all tired or worn out. I can confirm the appointment with Cape Horn should take place around 12th December, before the Paris Boat Show closes.»
Relations presse
Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-26 |
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«Bring in, shake out and adjust...»
[25/11/2003] The trade winds are completely unreliable close to the Brazilian coast. «They are variable in direction and force and so you have to make a lot of adjustments».
Adrien is heading down the South American coast in the trade winds, but the sailing is harder work than last year. «Last night, there were 8 knots, now it’s up to 18, and the wind has gone around to the East. I’m heading off a little to the west and getting closer to the coast, then as I get down to the latitude of Rio, I’ll come around a little further towards the land.»
Even if it is a little early to talk about the date for rounding the Horn, VDH thinks he will go around the mythical rock towards the 12th December. «The question remains wide open, but taking into account my current progress, I should be there within 24 hours of that date.»
Aboard Adrien, everything is going fine, without any problems, and the long Pechiney aluminium monohull is continuing on her way without suffering.
This morning, Jean Luc picked up an incredibly large flying fish (32 cm) and even if the creature is rare, he’s going to end up in a sauce with some potatoes from the Vendée region of France. «I’ve still got a lot of fresh produce left, carrots, apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, onions and even some bread from Les sables d’Olonne. It’s the first time I’ve brought bread so far. When there’s none left, I planned to cook some, at least to celebrate some important stages in the event, like Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope».
Taking advantage of this relatively quiet descent in the Atlantic, VDH has just started a second novel: «Moon Valley» by Jack London. «I preferred Martin Eden, which is a similar story, but Martin Eden is my favourite book by Jack London. Reading is my favourite hobby, and it’s thanks to books that I read as a child that I took up sailing.»
Adrien currently has two days and a few hours’ lead over Philippe Monnet.
Relations presse
Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-22 |
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ADRIEN in the Southern Hemisphere
[22/11/2003] at 11 minutes past 4 GMT, ADRIEN crossed the Equator. It was the fourteenth time VDH has crossed the mythical line.
Sailing upwind in a 25-knot wind with the solent and one reef, Adrien is now continuing her route in the Southern Hemisphere after 14 days and 16 hours of sailing. On board, everything is fine, and to celebrate this 14th crossing, Jean Luc made himself a little feast of a meal, with foie gras and duck “à l’orange”. «I’m going down slowly having found a good rhythm and am in fine form. I’ve got practically two days’ lead over Philippe Monnet, which is very comforting. My next stage will take me to Cape Horn, but until I get there, I’ll let myself be carried along in the SE trade winds to 30° South. I’ll soon draw closer to the Brazilian coast and will be able to pick up their wonderful music on the radio. The Atlantic is really the most pleasant part of this trip.»
Talking of round the world trips, in the other direction this time, Francis Joyon has just set sail single-handed in Olivier de Kersauson’s old trimaran. «I wish him well. It’s a difficult task aboard a multihull. We’ll come across each other somewhere in the middle of the Pacific... Like with Stamm last year.»
Relations presse
Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-21 |
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ADRIEN a few hours away from the Equator
[21/11/2003] With 120 miles to go to pass from the northern to the Southern Hemisphere, VDH was still in the Doldrums.
«They are particularly drawn out this year. I hope to get out of them in a few hours. The wind remains unreliable; there is still the threat of squalls, so all in all it is a very uncomfortable zone. In a squall, you never know what is going to hit you. Not only can the wind strengthen, but also come around 45° or even 90°. You have to anticipate what is going to happen in a zone, where everything is unpredictable, set the sails accordingly, then, when it’s over, get them out again to move on out of this wretched hole. Having said that, I prefer this to being becalmed and seeing Adrien standing still, with her sails flopping down, as that makes me sick. It’s true there is a lot of work to do, but I’m quite happy to do that and it puts me in a good mood knowing I already have a lead over Philippe Monnet (2 days). In fact, I was hardly slowed down at all in the Doldrums.»
Adrien should cross the equator sometime during the night. «I don’t know how many times I’ve crossed the equator. I’ll be rounding the Horn for the 10th time. I’m not at all indifferent to it, of course, and even if I’m not going to organise a ceremony, I shall be preparing a little feast. My round the world trip includes a number of special markers, which are like my stopover points and they all mean something to me. The equator is my first port of call. Beyond it, there is the Southern Hemisphere, the second part of the trip, which will take me to Cape Horn. The temperature will start to fall and I’m going to have to get some warmer clothes on. Whatever you may say, the Atlantic will always be the most pleasant part of this round the world trip».
Relations presse
Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-19 |
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ADRIEN Off the coast of Senegal
[18/11/2003] Everything is going fine aboard the long monohull sailing under the colours of Adrien and Pechiney. «After going through the Bay of Biscay, going down the Atlantic is often the most pleasant part, so I’m taking advantage of it by taking a rest, as afterwards, things are likely to get tougher».
Coming up soon on the menu, the first major hurdle, the Doldrums with all its surprises. It’s said that to do good cooking, you need at least two spices and at most five, as afterwards it all mixes together. The Doldrums are rather like that big mix, and they are certainly very hot, as they are full of spices. Squalls, heavy rain, lightning, thunder, heavy seas, complete calm, stifling, damp heat and continually changing winds, both concerning their direction and force. It’s tough on the nerves. «I’ll be there tomorrow evening. The weather is already very changeable. There are some thunderstorms coming up. The wind is going around to the west, but down in this area, it’s impossible to make any forecasts. I’m heading down the African coast at 8 to 9 knots in a 10-knot wind. After Senegal, it will be Guinea, then Sierra Leone, but as the African coast heads off east, I’ll soon be keeping my eyes towards Brazil. The conditions are already unstable, but that may be due to the Cape Verde Islands, which disturb the wind all around the area, as you can see on the satellite pictures.»
Guided on his route by Pierre Lasnier, Jean Luc Van den Heede is keeping a close eye on the changing weather patterns. «For the moment, I’m ahead of Philippe Monnet and ahead of my previous attempt last year, although I am remaining careful and taking care of my craft, but the conditions were more favourable this time. I think too that my new mast is more efficient. Having said that, this lead could melt away quite easily like a snowball in the sun ...in the Doldrums.»
After a spring clean of Adrien’s deck, which was covered in scales and blood yesterday from flying fish, VDH found some small squid this morning that he took great pleasure in frying up to improve his daily lot. «It’s rather strange. The seas weren’t that heavy, so they must have jumped aboard. Flying squid? I’ll have to look into that!»
Relations presse
Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-14 |
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Adrien off the Canaries
[14/11/2003] After passing Madeira, VDH is sailing off the Canaries waiting for the trade winds to blow a little more strongly.
« It’s not really blowing. By the end of the day I should have passed the second island of the Canaries, but Adrien isn’t designed for sailing down wind in calm weather, and I’m waiting for the winds to strengthen a bit.» His voice remains quiet. VDH is having to be patient in the gentle trade winds. «Off Madeira, I was becalmed, but I’m not complaining, as I am ahead of my previous attempt by one day. I just hope the trade winds will pick up in the next few hours. Adrien needs some wind and I do too».
In a 14-knot wind, Adrien is slowly making her way towards the Cape Verde Islands, while Jean Luc Van Den Heede is getting used to a quiet pattern of events. « This is the best time. It’s hot, 25°, and Adrien is not suffering. I’m taking advantage of it all, the sunsets, being alone. I have the impression I only left two days ago, but it’s been a week. I’m living in my shorts and am watching powerless as some poor little lost birds clamber aboard. Adrien has become a real aviary».
Life on board has found a rhythm with VDH busy studying the weather patterns, DIY, meal breaks and rest periods. «Yesterday evening, as I was all alone, I made myself some pasta,» said VDH, who has not lost a touch of his humour, even if he is finding it difficult to move up a gear on Adrien. The horizon is flat and dull, not a sign of a merchant navy ship or of any animals apart from the little lost birds. «Tomorrow, I’ll drop a line over in the hope of catching a sea-bream to improve my daily lot,» said Jean Luc, who is getting himself ready before tackling the difficult parts. «I’m continuing on my holiday travels, after Madeira and the Canaries, I’m heading for Cape Verde, but in five or six days time I’ll reach the Doldrums...and the holidays will be over.»
Relations presse : Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-12 |
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ADRIEN getting closer to the trade winds
[12/11/2003] Everything is going fine aboard Adrien; Jean Luc has got back into the stride of sailing and the days go by, constructed around making adjustments to the huge Pechiney aluminium boat, meal breaks, rest periods and some DIY».
«I’m keeping a close eye on Adrien. The damage she underwent in the past has left an indelible mark on me, and I probably won’t get over it until the end of this round the world trip. I’m more worried and the first gale we experienced 24 hours after the start showed me how vigilant I have become about looking after Adrien. As soon as she risks any harm, I take my foot off the accelerator».
Once this gale was out of the way, Jean Luc got back into a quieter rhythm and even managed to start reading his first book since the start: Quo Vadis. «Jean Marie, with whom I brought Adrien back from Tasmania, selected some works for me. We talked a lot about reading during our trip».
Adrien will probably pick up the trade winds quite soon now, as she is currently (this morning) down as far as Casablanca in a 10 to 15-knot westerly. «I’m gently going down to the south, the wind isn’t very lively, but everything is fine. I’m heading towards the Canaries, which I’ll leave to the port side. It is 22°, which is an ideal temperature. We can sail without putting a fleecy jacket on and without suffering from the heat. I’m taking advantage of every moment at sea, whilst looking forward to seeing the trade winds blow.»
Relations presse : Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-7 |
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VDH wants to be back before the 1st of April.
[7/11/2003] To beat Philippe Monnet, Jean Luc Van den Heede will have to cross the finishing line before 16 minutes and 1 second past 7(GMT) on the 7th April.
«I’m really hoping to be back on the 1st April at the latest» said VDH during his first report early this afternoon. Does he remain determined? Yes, more than ever. Does he still have the willpower? Obviously, because he calls this Global Challenge the willpower journey, but above all he remains prudent to the power of 1000. «I’ve already got three failures behind me, so I’m feeling a little stress, even if I’m glad to be leaving. This time the conditions are different and the pressure is really on. I’m going to be careful like never before. I was always careful before, but this time I shan’t be taking the slightest risk».
At 2 p.m. Adrien was making 9.5 knots headway in a 11-knot wind. «I’ll be heading south in less favourable conditions than forecast three days ago, when I made the decision to start. Having said that, the wind is going to get up, and I’m ready and after all, the conditions aren’t going to be that bad to set off. I risk losing the wind as I reach 40° N, but it’s not going to be a real handicap.» To prove that he has no real handicap, today, for his first day alone at sea, Jean-Luc ate some Adrien shrimps as a starter, followed by some turbot from the same company...
Relations presse : Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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Press release of 2003-11-6 |
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ADRIEN takes to sea
On stand-by since the 26th October in Les Sables d’Olonne, it was at 1.04 p.m. today in a happy and relaxed atmosphere that Adrien set out again to tackle the Global Challenge (around the world backwards). On board, VDH of course and two assistants, who will be dropped off off Saint Matthieu Point tomorrow morning, before the starting line is crossed. Many supporters were out once again this morning in the glorious sunshine, showing their enthusiasm, as well as their support for the skipper from Amiens.
When the man involved in this adventure was asked about his disconcerting calm several minutes before starting out on his show of strength for the fourth time, he replied quietly with a smile on his face, «This time I know the way...until we reach Australia in any case, so there’s no need to worry.»
With complete trust in his Pechiney-made aluminium boat, Jean Luc Van den Heede points out that safety and solidity were his watchwords, as he got Adrien ready. Speaking of his previous upsets in a light-hearted way, he said, «With Adrien having a strengthened hull, keel and mast, it is difficult to imagine what other disaster could happen this time, which should mean this is the right one.» Prudence will be required at all times during this journey, and he is even prepared to reduce his speed to limit the effects of the waves on his boat.
Taking advantage of a break in the weather with a 15-20 knot south-easterly, which should come around to the north, VDH admits that he will have ideal conditions to start and thinks he will cross the start off Ushant tomorrow around midday, at which time he will give us his position.
The Global Challenge involves breaking the non-stop round the world from East to West single-handed sailing record. That means going around the world backwards, that is to say against the prevailing winds and currents for most of the route.
Until now, only three sailors can boast of having achieved this mountainous goal that is often nicknamed “Everest by the North Face”. But going beyond the human exploit and performance, VDH also intends to offer himself a dream, fully aware that thousands of people will be accompanying him on his adventure. For the moment, his main worry is crossing the starting line tomorrow, then, as he puts it, “It’s the winds who will decide”.
Relations presse : Rivacom/Véronique Guillou
0670109125 veronique@rivacom.fr
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