last news
by admin
on February 4th, 2013
at 11:31 am
It all happened so quickly. At around midday yesterday I was sailing upwind in around 20 knots from the NE and had just sent a report to the Race HQ giving my position and how all the energy systems were working well. Suddenly, when on deck and about to let out a reef, there was a sudden bang that made the boat the boat shake and the boat heeled over suddenly, which threw me in the water before I could react. From the water I saw how the boat continued to heel over fast and then roll. I was able to swim up to the transon and activate the life raft, which I got into. I remained in the raft all afternoon and well into the evening. I made the most of the daylight hours to try and dry out my clothes a bit. But due to the strong swell, was unable to tie on to the boat so quickly started to drift away from her.
At 1800 I spotted the Maritime Rescue aircraft that I did signal with a flare. The sighting of the aircraft greatly reassured me and gave me the confidence to know that everything was working and who was managing the emergency properly.
About 2355 I heard again the sound of engines and watched a helicopter maneuvering near the boat, away from my position about two miles. The night was dark and for a moment I doubted that they had sighted me. After lighting my last flare the helicopter headed toward me, a rescue swimmer jumped into the water and I put in a harness for hoisting. In the helicopter a doctor examined me and found that I was in good physical condition.
Now I am at the Lajes Air Base in Terceira, who I have to thank for their hospitality. I really wish to emphasize the heartfelt thanks for the care and hospitality of the Portuguese rescue teams and the treatment I am receiving here at the base. From now on, and after a needed break, it will be a matter of preparing the boat recovery operation with my team to then be able to assess with accuracy what happened.
Firstly I would like to thank ACCIONA, my team, and the race organisation for the speed with which they handled the emergency, and especially the Maritime Rescue Service for the flawless rescue operation and the helicopter operating to the limit of its autonomy. And of course, thank you very much to all those who have followed me and have worried about me last night.
Big hug,
Bubi
by admin
on January 30th, 2013
at 5:40 pm
Hi everyone!
I would like to send my most sincere congratulations to Alex for a really fast and intelligent race. I would also like to congratulate his whole team for their preparation and fine tuning of the boat.
Bubi
by admin
on January 29th, 2013
at 6:29 pm
I have now passed the Equator and am into the Northern Hemisphere and sailing quickly. I am making a good heading northwards and the weather is looking quite good up to the Canary Islands. After the Canary Islands and until the Azores it will get a little complicated and from the Azores to Les Sables d’Olonne the route to take is a little uncertain, whether to go all around the Azores and try to cut through Finisterre. It’s not yet sure.
On board life is good. I have enough food and we are making good speed to the north. The weather right now is not too good, it’s a little cloudy.
The charging systems are perfect. The hydro-generators are practically 24 hours a day in the water to charge energy because it is very cloudy here -..no problem at all!.
In two days and with the battery power I have I could get to Les Sables d’Olonne. There are very good expectations here on board ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered.
by admin
on January 28th, 2013
at 3:18 pm
First of all I would like to congratulate Francois and his whole team for an absolutely spectacular job and of making this sport even greater. I would also like to send my congratulations to Armel; both of them have attracted thousands of people to watch the Vendée Globe. My sincere congratulations to both!
It is quite incredible that I only have 12 to 14 days before I finish, having already sailed around the world in this very special and experimental boat. It’s now up to me to be sensible until the finish and try not to make any mistakes.
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by admin
on January 24th, 2013
at 5:10 pm
Hello everyone from ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered,
It looks like I have found a private Doldrums just for me before I even get to the real Doldrums. I hope the next 800 miles to the equator are not going to be like this because it could be a really long trip….
I have been sailing for three days with winds that never top 8 knots and just don’t ever actually shift eastwards as the reports are saying they should. It looks like I am going to have these conditions for another 24 hours with light winds ranging from 2 to 7 knots.
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by admin
on January 23rd, 2013
at 3:40 pm
I have been sailing for a few days as if it was dinghy sailing because I don’t have any wind information. The boat’s electronics haven’t been going well since Cape Horn and for three days nothing has been working.
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by admin
on January 22nd, 2013
at 9:51 am
Hello everyone,
Today has been a day of celebration for ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered. At 22H GMT and 25 minutes on 21st January we crossed our own trail from the descent down south, which means ACCIONA 100%EcoPowered has now circumnavigated the world with eco-efficient energy and is the first to have achieved this without stopping.
It is a huge milestone in offshore sailing and also in the use of eco-efficient energy.
I want to take this chance to congratulate Accionaand the whole team…
But it doesn’t end here; the Vendée Globe continues and there are still 4300 miles until the finish line. In an hour’s time I will tack north and theoretically I will have two more tacks before I can make a heading towards the equator, which is about 100 miles from here. From now on it will be very difficult to changepositions but we will give it a try….there is still a long way to go!
I’m now using the hydro-generators more than ever, since for a few days it has been cloudy with rain, and the hydro-generators are taking on the main charge and working as usual.
by admin
on January 21st, 2013
at 4:56 pm
by admin
on January 20th, 2013
at 7:32 pm
Hi everyone,
We still have another 700 miles of upwind sailing before we can ease the sheets and head to the equator. It is a little tiring to be heeled over for so long, but that’s the situation right now and as the easterly winds are much higher than normal it means we have to beat upwind.
It looks like Mirabaud has been pretty lucky with the squall and it has taken him out of where he was to be just in front of me; but it is just a few miles, nothing that can’t be recovered.
Mike has also managed to get away again because to the north the wind is a little further eastward, whilst I have had a more northerly wind. Mike has been able to make a better heading to the north on a good angle.
To try and not lose too much I have been making a northerly heading according to the wind shifts and with some squalls I had to tack about 12 times, but it has also allowed me not to go against each shift, or at least to minimize it.
Tomorrow I will be a little higher and on the 25th we will be at the equator…or at least I hope so!!
I am going to wait until we ease the sheets and I am more comfortable before I shave my beard a little. In these conditions it’s pretty uncomfortable.
Best wishes
Bubi
by admin
on January 18th, 2013
at 9:00 am
Hello
Whilst yesterday this route looked like the best and that I had chosen a good option according to the last reports, it is not looking so good any more. And what’s more, the situation with the low pressure system that will soon form to the North West is going to favour those who have chosen a more inside route.
It is difficult to change things at this stage but we will have to watch carefully how it evolves. In the next few days the whole meteorological situation in this area is going to be a real chaos right up until Salvador de Bahía. It will take us four or five days more than usual to get to the equator if it continues like this….
Greetings to everyone
Bubi
by admin
on January 17th, 2013
at 9:03 am
Hi!
Well, I’m now in the Santa Helena anti-cyclone, sailing upwind on a port tack and with 400 miles ahead of me before tacking for the first of many times; which I will have to do before being able to directly cross the equator.
I’m happy with where I’m positioned and also to finally be 7th overall which of course can be improved, but it won’t be an easy task…
I really don’t know how it will go for the other boats that are further inside, but it could well be that their tactical move works out for them, and they overtake me when we are further north. Everything is possible, although right now I would not change my position.
Yet you just never know…. although in about three days time we should. I hope this side turns out to be the good one.
BUBI
by admin
on January 15th, 2013
at 11:05 am
Hello everyone
We are finally going to know our results when we have Cabo Frio to one side of us (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). There are now all different tactics and strategies to get to the north in whatever way we choose, especially in the next three days that are showing variable winds and areas of calm all along this area on the way up to Cabo Frio…
My option to continue more eastwards is now looking good and I hope that it is indeed the case, but it might not be so in five days time and those on the inside can then make a quick recovery. I have preferred to go for the outside option: the option to go further in to the coast might be good, like it worked for Alex, but I think this generally works just 1 in 10 times.
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