Mini-transat circumnavigation

[GTO]

Has anyone else been following the solo, non-stop circumnavigation attempt in the mini-transat?

http://yachtpals.com/sailing-7056

Since Alessandro Di Benedetto seems to want to start a small boat competition, I wonder just how small a boat could be and still make the trip.

Anyone have any thoughts about it?

[Tim B]

Rather him than me.

If he went north of Aus, then trans-Pacific that would be easier, but it would still require a bit of bravery!

The southern ocean is going to be SERIOUSLY nasty when he hits it. Around that part of the world size really does matter.

Tim B.

[GTO]

Here's a link to a map of his progress.

http://www.alessandrodibenedetto.net/web/log.html

Around Africa and heading east!

I wonder if he might actually start something if he is successful.
Seems like I read that Guiness considers a difference in size of between 1 to 2 inches as a smaller boat.
Have to wait and see how it goes for him I guess.

[Manie B]

GTO thanks for a good link

The guy is experienced and his boat is well prepared
perfectly do-able
it ALL looks good and feasable
i wish more experienced guys could do this - and not just the "suicide brigades"

my only concern is his time frame - January is good for Cape Horn

http://www.sail-world.com/Cruising/i...he-Horn!/65416

Jessica had a good run

small - well prepared boats are perfecly good in capable hands
big is not always better

[Manie B]

Had a look today and he seems to be doing very well

2010/01/17 19:01:00 lat. 50° 19' 37"S long. 70° 08' 53"E

anybody here that can read the language?

i would love to know his average speed and distance travelled
and what is the current estimated time to complete the journey

26.10.2009 at 10:26:28 start from Les Sables d'Olonne

[GTO]

Manie,

I used Google Earth on his last two points, 1/16 - 1/17, and it came up with ~124 nm.
That was for a 22 hour period.

So 5.6 knots or so average for the last day. Seems to be moving nicely, passing south of a nice size body of land.

[Manie B]

GTO i am glad to see that there is TWO of us following his progress
(on this forum)

Anyway what the old farts at my hangouts cannot and will not accept, is that this is going to be the one to watch, forget about all the young little kids/girls in pink. They are doing very well in their own right and their attempts are widely published and all that is good.

BUT a "mini" around, under an experienced hand - THATS NEWS - really good news

and just for the record i believe that to be a "true" around, you must do the same distance (as they did up north) like they did with the golden globe, just to hop back and forth across the equator is taking a short cut

obviously you can make your own start and stop point along this route - but do the route!

[capt vimes]

Originally Posted by Manie B

anybody here that can read the language?

oh.. i can read that language.... no problems there...
just do not ask me what it says...

[RHP]

I admire 'driven people' however I couldnt think of a more uncomfortable boat to undertake such a voyage, I wonder how wet it is down below etc..? The good thing about Bombay Sapphire being in a blue bottle is even if the label comes off you still know what it is.

[GTO]

In spite of much web surfing, I've found little to no mention of Alessandro's attempt.
So, this leads me to ask, "Is the Horn done?".

Has the lurking evil of the southern ocean and the fabled Horn been slain?
Will the heroes of yester-year slowly slip into legend, then myth, as teenagers zip around the Horn in their high tech sailing machines for fun and profit? Is the Horn now just "another thang to do" for the way cool sailing kids of today/tomorrow?

This also leads me to ask, "Has the ocean finally been tamed?". Oh sure, every now and then some unlucky soul will get hit by an unpredicted weather bomb and follow the ship down to Davy's locker, or something will break at the worst possible time and another EPIRB will be activated, but big picture-wise, has technology finally caught up with the big blue?

Just curious. And bored at work too!

[Manie B]

Has the lurking evil of the southern ocean and the fabled Horn been slain?

The Horn as well as the Cape of Storms Agulhas, is just an accident waiting to happen
I follow all three adventures daily

http://www.alessandrodibenedetto.net/web/log.html

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/the-voyage

http://www.abbysunderland.com/location-route.php

greed and profit will eventually lead to tragedy one day
Abby's father has got his eyes on a reality show on TV, he obviously watches Osborns - Cardashians - Teutles - Trump - Hefner and the miriad of others (dont forget Oprah)
way to little time was spent on preparation

there is a very active discussion here

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/ind...=102689&st=325

and i quote

Stopping to reload fuel, add battery's, or what ever else that needs trouble shooting... shows poor preparation and testing, and that there is little to no energy management aboard, regardless of how the energy is generated or stored... This part of a round the world sailboats systems, should have been thought out long before the circumnavigation started.

somewhere someone's gonna get hurt

[capt vimes]

Originally Posted by Manie B

somewhere someone's gonna get hurt

after 12 days...??? holy ****...
i thought you were kidding, or some system/batteries has broken and needs to be replaced which can happen... but only 12 friggin days out and the ships electrical systems needs overhauling/adapting????
thats scary that is!

[Manie B]

Excellent

46° 57' 07"S 130° 18' 36"E

Alessandro Di Benedetto is going well

i just wish they would answer english mail or post english updates

[Crag Cay]

He's south of Australia and going well:

"His average speed since at the beginning has been good, everything is all right, he is in good spirits , physically everything is fine and the boat is orderly."

[capt vimes]

well the last sms update on his page is from the 20th of december... old news...
in the pdf a short statement is qoted...
he is 45° south and 300 miles WNW from Prince Edwards island. yesterday he experinced some 'burrasca' (no clue what that means) but he is OK and has strong winds today...
that info is from the 04th of january...