“Call him ‘Mich the Machine’”
Today at 15:11 GMT, after 84 days of sailing solo and non-stop around the world, French sailing legend Michel Desjoyeaux has won the Vendee Globe for the second time. The first person in history to ever do so.
Still lying in 4th position and 2,600 nautical miles from the finish, leading British Sam Davies has commented on the one she calls ‘her hero’s’ achievement:
“Every time I have been asked who my sailing hero is, I answered Mich (as everybody calls him) Desjoyeaux. I now think that many more people will understand why. He was always my favourite to win the race so I felt sad for him three months ago when straight away after the start he had to turn back for repairs. But I always knew that it wouldn’t be enough to stop ‘Mich the machine’! Roxy and I have a special connection with him because my old lady is no other than the boat he won the race in for the first time eight years ago. Mich and I have been communicating by email through the race and it has been very important for me. In hard times, a little message from his Foncia would come to Roxy and encourage me and give me motivation. He has inspired me and I always try my best in his wake. Mich has just showed again what the sailing world already knew, he is one of the world’s best sailors of all time.”
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sailing : Day 83 onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe
Sam Davies’ daily log - Fish in the cup
“Hello everyone,
Roxy has already made it past 10°N, the conditions remain the same - bumpy and wet, but good wind and OK speed.
I have had to alter course to avoid ships today - the last one being just an hour ago. This is a risky business, as it involves being on deck to adjust course and sail trim. Being night time, we are continually under the attack by kamikaze flying fish, and each "THWACK" makes me wince in pain. Their closing speed with Roxy must be quite fast, and impact painful or even deadly.
Therefore, being on deck at night, I am at risk of getting a direct hit, and, having had several near misses, I can say that it is particularly unpleasant to receive a slimy, smelly flapping fish in ones face!
Luckily I got away untouched this time.
Unfortunately, though yesterday morning Roxy was a bit of a flying fish graveyard. The most disappointing find was that one flying fish had managed to get itself head-first into my tea-cup (which was sitting in a rope bag - a lazy way of doing the washing up!) So, no matter how much I cleaned my cup, I was certain that my morning tea had a slightly fishy taste to it – YUK.
That will teach me to do my washing up properly!
So right now I am keeping my fingers crossed that all is well on board Foncia. I hope Mich is enjoying his last hours alone at sea. Today is going to be a very special day in Les Sables d'Olonne. I'm a little bit sad to miss this great moment, but at the same time, the thought of being in Les Sables d'Olonne is quite strange, and I think I am happier out here. Luckily I still have quite a few days to prepare myself for our arrival!
Enjoy the party everyone!
Sam”
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 5th position, 2,611 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
“Hello everyone,
Roxy has already made it past 10°N, the conditions remain the same - bumpy and wet, but good wind and OK speed.
I have had to alter course to avoid ships today - the last one being just an hour ago. This is a risky business, as it involves being on deck to adjust course and sail trim. Being night time, we are continually under the attack by kamikaze flying fish, and each "THWACK" makes me wince in pain. Their closing speed with Roxy must be quite fast, and impact painful or even deadly.
Therefore, being on deck at night, I am at risk of getting a direct hit, and, having had several near misses, I can say that it is particularly unpleasant to receive a slimy, smelly flapping fish in ones face!
Luckily I got away untouched this time.
Unfortunately, though yesterday morning Roxy was a bit of a flying fish graveyard. The most disappointing find was that one flying fish had managed to get itself head-first into my tea-cup (which was sitting in a rope bag - a lazy way of doing the washing up!) So, no matter how much I cleaned my cup, I was certain that my morning tea had a slightly fishy taste to it – YUK.
That will teach me to do my washing up properly!
So right now I am keeping my fingers crossed that all is well on board Foncia. I hope Mich is enjoying his last hours alone at sea. Today is going to be a very special day in Les Sables d'Olonne. I'm a little bit sad to miss this great moment, but at the same time, the thought of being in Les Sables d'Olonne is quite strange, and I think I am happier out here. Luckily I still have quite a few days to prepare myself for our arrival!
Enjoy the party everyone!
Sam”
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 5th position, 2,611 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
Tennis : Berman Takes out Canterbury ITF
The first of the NZ ITF Junior Tournaments saw Kiwis dominate in the boys and overseas players in the girls on the last day of the Sunsmart 18/u Canterbury Championships at the Scenic Circle Hotels Tennis Centre, Wilding Park on Saturday.
USA based New Zealand Sean Berman just got home against local hope Barrett Franks in a thrilling match. Franks began strongly forcing errors from his smaller opponent with booming serves and forehands taking the first set 6-4. Berman fought back in the second taking it 6-2 to force the match to a final set.
It proved to be a thriller with Berman breaking serve in the 12th game to take it 7-5 for the match.
Canterbury player Leela Beattie began strongly against diminutive Japanese player Makoto Ninomiya leading 4-2. from then on the speed of Ninomiya began to tell as she won four games in a row to snatch the set and then won the second set comfortably 6-2 to take the girls singles title.
In an all New Zealand final of the boys doubles fifth seeds Jamie Eccleton and Trent O'Keeffe from Auckland beat sixth seeds Anton Bettink and Dan Davies from North harbour 6-2 6-4.
The girls doubles went right to the wire. South Island players Leela Beattie and Gaby Grady took the first set 7-5 over the top seeds Anaeve Pain (New Caledonia) and Steffi Carruthers (Samoa). However the Pacific pair then began a great fightback winning the second set 6-2 to force a super-tiebreak decider. Pain and Carruthers were in control throughout the breaker taking it 10-4 to claim the title.
The next event on the New Zealand summer ITF junior circuit continues in Auckland - qualifying being held on Sunday and main draw starting on Monday.
For further information - http://www.tennisnz.com/Article.aspx?ID=921
USA based New Zealand Sean Berman just got home against local hope Barrett Franks in a thrilling match. Franks began strongly forcing errors from his smaller opponent with booming serves and forehands taking the first set 6-4. Berman fought back in the second taking it 6-2 to force the match to a final set.
It proved to be a thriller with Berman breaking serve in the 12th game to take it 7-5 for the match.
Canterbury player Leela Beattie began strongly against diminutive Japanese player Makoto Ninomiya leading 4-2. from then on the speed of Ninomiya began to tell as she won four games in a row to snatch the set and then won the second set comfortably 6-2 to take the girls singles title.
In an all New Zealand final of the boys doubles fifth seeds Jamie Eccleton and Trent O'Keeffe from Auckland beat sixth seeds Anton Bettink and Dan Davies from North harbour 6-2 6-4.
The girls doubles went right to the wire. South Island players Leela Beattie and Gaby Grady took the first set 7-5 over the top seeds Anaeve Pain (New Caledonia) and Steffi Carruthers (Samoa). However the Pacific pair then began a great fightback winning the second set 6-2 to force a super-tiebreak decider. Pain and Carruthers were in control throughout the breaker taking it 10-4 to claim the title.
The next event on the New Zealand summer ITF junior circuit continues in Auckland - qualifying being held on Sunday and main draw starting on Monday.
For further information - http://www.tennisnz.com/Article.aspx?ID=921
Tennis : Jones makes final round of Qualifying of US$50,000 Challenger
New Zealand's GD Jones seeded third in the qualifying received a bye in the first round of the McDonalds Burnie Men's US$50,000 Challenger in Burnie, Australia, and came up against Andrew Gregory (AUS) to win 6/2 6/1 to advance to the final round. Jones now has to play fifth seed Sadik Kadir (AUS) to firm his spot in the main draw.
Fellow Kiwi Oliver (Mikal) Statham was knocked out in the first round by Adam Hubble (AUS) 6/4 6/2.
Oliver's twin brother Rubin (Jose) is directly into the main draw and has the tough task of Nick Lindahl (AUS) in the first round.
Draws - http://www.atpworldtour.com/3/en/tournaments/challenger/
Fellow Kiwi Oliver (Mikal) Statham was knocked out in the first round by Adam Hubble (AUS) 6/4 6/2.
Oliver's twin brother Rubin (Jose) is directly into the main draw and has the tough task of Nick Lindahl (AUS) in the first round.
Draws - http://www.atpworldtour.com/3/en/tournaments/challenger/
Sailing : British Team Defeats Switzerland’s Alinghi
Britain’s newcomer TEAMORIGIN, with Olympic ace Ben Ainslie at the helm, put away the powerful Alinghi team from Switzerland today, right at the start of their race in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
It was the biggest scalp so far in the first three days of racing on the Waitemata Harbor as Ainslie forced Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird over the start line just one second before the gun. After circling back to restart, the Swiss trailed by over a minute behind at the first weather mark and although they closed the distance, never got back in the race.
Spectators ashore on vantage points like North Head and a fleet of waterborne watchers were treated to some close racing in winds that quickly built to 18 to 20 knots. The last race of the day was abandoned as the breeze went over 27 knots.
Ashore afterwards, Kiwi Mike Sanderson who is Team Director for the British said: ”Ben did a fantastic job, giving them (Alinghi) a little push. It made it pretty tough for them to get back behind the line.” Sanderson acknowledged the expertise of the two-time America’s Cup champion team, pointing out that the Swiss have set the benchmark in sailing Version 5 Cup boats. “We’ve got a long way to go,” he added.
The closest race of the day saw Italy’s Damiani Italia Challenge overcome a determined challenge from France’s Pataugas K-Challenge. Helmsman Francesco Bruni led at every mark although the leg changed at least once on the first weather leg. Sebastian Col, skipper of the French boat and the top-ranked match racer in the world, took the fight back to the Italians on the run, working into a position where the French were overtaking their opponents, only to be penalized for failing to respond to a luff.
A penalty played a role in the third race when China Team, sailing by Ian Williams was flagged by the umpires for sailing too close to BMW Oracle Racing, skippered by Russell Coutts. After that Williams did a good job of staying in contact with his opposition but a gennaker that blew out on the last run put paid to any hopes of redemption.
The last race of the day between South Africa’s Shosholoza and Italy’s Luna Rossa was initially delayed because of headfoil problems on the South African boat, and then abandoned because of strong winds. The race will be sailed tomorrow.
Scores: Pool A – Emirates Team New Zealand, 2; Damiani Italia Challenge, 2; Pataugas K Challenge, 1; BMW Oracle Racing, 1; China Team, 0. Pool B – TEAMORIGIN, 2; Alinghi, 2; Greek Challenge, 0, Team Shosholoza, 0, Luna Rossa, 0.
It was the biggest scalp so far in the first three days of racing on the Waitemata Harbor as Ainslie forced Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird over the start line just one second before the gun. After circling back to restart, the Swiss trailed by over a minute behind at the first weather mark and although they closed the distance, never got back in the race.
Spectators ashore on vantage points like North Head and a fleet of waterborne watchers were treated to some close racing in winds that quickly built to 18 to 20 knots. The last race of the day was abandoned as the breeze went over 27 knots.
Ashore afterwards, Kiwi Mike Sanderson who is Team Director for the British said: ”Ben did a fantastic job, giving them (Alinghi) a little push. It made it pretty tough for them to get back behind the line.” Sanderson acknowledged the expertise of the two-time America’s Cup champion team, pointing out that the Swiss have set the benchmark in sailing Version 5 Cup boats. “We’ve got a long way to go,” he added.
The closest race of the day saw Italy’s Damiani Italia Challenge overcome a determined challenge from France’s Pataugas K-Challenge. Helmsman Francesco Bruni led at every mark although the leg changed at least once on the first weather leg. Sebastian Col, skipper of the French boat and the top-ranked match racer in the world, took the fight back to the Italians on the run, working into a position where the French were overtaking their opponents, only to be penalized for failing to respond to a luff.
A penalty played a role in the third race when China Team, sailing by Ian Williams was flagged by the umpires for sailing too close to BMW Oracle Racing, skippered by Russell Coutts. After that Williams did a good job of staying in contact with his opposition but a gennaker that blew out on the last run put paid to any hopes of redemption.
The last race of the day between South Africa’s Shosholoza and Italy’s Luna Rossa was initially delayed because of headfoil problems on the South African boat, and then abandoned because of strong winds. The race will be sailed tomorrow.
Scores: Pool A – Emirates Team New Zealand, 2; Damiani Italia Challenge, 2; Pataugas K Challenge, 1; BMW Oracle Racing, 1; China Team, 0. Pool B – TEAMORIGIN, 2; Alinghi, 2; Greek Challenge, 0, Team Shosholoza, 0, Luna Rossa, 0.
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