CAPE TO RIO Q&A via Sat.link ((9 January 2014) courtesy Louay Habib

On board YOLO in South Atlantic via Xtra-Link sat.com

 

Q&A with Royal Cape Commodore, Dale Kushner @ 9^th January 1400 GMT currently leading the race overall under IRC. Yolo is also sailing two-handed.

 How useful was weather info via sat.link to get through the rough weather?

DK: Perfect. it allowed for quick downloads, so less time at computer and tablet, and gave us optimal info quick. Incidentally we have wifi aboard for internet so we are using a tablet a lot for routing.

How useful was sat.link to get news back to shore that all was ok on board?

DK: Very important,. With the big weather system that came through the fleet, it was important to let all home know that we were all fine.. and we kept them abreast and with this event the race was being tracked was really nicely.
 

Now Yolo is into the Trades what is the sailing like?

 

DK: In some of the storm conditions we got some very good surf.. now a bit more trade conditions.. at the moment sailing along in 15-17 knots.. kite up. really nice aboard.. but not much surfing.. we are still playing the waves and trying for what we can and manually steering to get the most out of the boat.

 
Any wild life? Dolphins Whales ….

 DK: Today mainly bird life.. Saw a Albatross today and we have seen lots of flying fish doing their thing.

What is on your mind tactically at the moment? What lies ahead?

 

DK: Between us and Rio is the South Atlantic high and whatever else gets thrown at us.. this makes us sail around it.. Interestingly enough the routing programs gave us a

routing through it on the South Side.. but we want the conservative approach in case the door shuts halfway through. So we want to sail as close to it on the North Eastern Side of the High Pressure and then we will see.. Might even try and cut the corner a bit.. to save some distance.

What is your regular food and watch system?

DK: Basically we are running 2 hours on - 2 hours off to get the most out of the boat, helming for longer is not productive, resting for less equally so. Today we ate oats for breakfast, Salami and salads for lunch and some sort of pasta dish planned for this evening. We try and drink as much as possible as it is hot out in the South Atlantic. We also snack on nuts and dried fruit.

 

Go YOLO!

Day 5 Handicap positions (9 January 2014)

Article from DIE BURGER newspaper today (9/1/2014)

Some pictures from race start (thank you Marc Bloch)

FOR you YOLO....

News from YOLO...

Yesterday was pleasant with slight reaching conditions.

 

Nice sunny day.. We were able to catch up on some rest. 

Evening was pleasant if not a bit cool.

This morning sea temperature up by a degree, so it means we are getting to the hot weather soon.

This morning still kiting in around 14-16knots of wind.

 

Boat is happy!

 

 

Daily position report 10am (SA time) - 9 January 2014

Our position is:

 

S29 04,15

E03 54 97

 

Pleasant evening sailing under kite.

All well aboard.

message from YOLO (18h45 SA time) 8 January 2014

To the crew of Bille, from both Ian and I aboard YOLO - our heartfelt condolences to all of you and the family of the deceased.

Our thoughts have been with you ever since hearing the tragic news.

 

Day 4 handicap postions (8 January 2014)

position update DAY 4 - 10am (SA time) - 8 January 2014

Hi All,

We seem to be in the trades for now. Sailing along at approx 9knots with kite up. Nice to have some sunshine.

Our position this AM is:

 

S 30deg 32,76

E 07deg 13,27

Best for now. Team Yolo

update from YOLO (from Dale - yay) 8 January 2014

 

Apologies for very little news from the boat since the start.

So a brief run down from the start;

Start day was overwelming with so many boats on the water jockeying to get a prime position to watch, at time getting in the way of the competitors.

Yolo had a good start but as a smaller boat we were quickly rolled by the larger boats, which in turn left her in bad air turbulence, so quickly thrust Yolo back in the fleet. At the first mark, we opted not to gybe straight away like the rest of the fleet, good hoist of the kite, went a bit further and then gybed. This seem to have paid as we sailed in unaffected airs and got through a big chunk of the fleet. The last of the bay legs was sublime.. then into the big ocean..  light wind beated for a few hours, then the breeze started to freshen.. later in the night it had shifted and increased. We opted to run with it.. not that strong, but seas were a bit messed up. We ended up sailing into lighter breeze the next day and night..

followed by thirty plus knots and lots of rain.. and eventually squalls of 50knots and sustaining 42 for long periods of time.. it rained consistency.

The deck was either awash with rain or the waves that were hitting up against us, we were making some Westing to break the pattern. By later in the day the winds had started to ease and by late Tuesday the kite was up and very little water on the deck.. Last night we kited till we had some strong gusts so opted on the conservative route.. (Sailing Double handed means you need to be extra vigilant.)

 

Late yesterday PM Yolo was able to hoist kite in 20 knot conditions.. with her making good miles.. close to midnight the kite was dropped as the breeze had picked up a bit.

The rest of the night had good averages.. We are planning on taking the north routing around the high. All well aboard.

media coverage so far of the race (thank you Trevor Wilkins)

Day 3 Handicap positions

what Dale and Ian are sailing through!!!

YOLO position report 10am (SA time) 7 January 2014

S 33deg 47,22

E 10deg 38,00

Conservative night.. very wet on deck still. ALL GOOD ABOARD. Currently sailing in 23-30knots.

day 2 Handicap positions...

Cape to Rio race headquarters update 2pm 6/1/2014

"RCYC General Manager, Marcus Reuter, boarded SAS Islandwana last night as they set sail for the fleet to assist yacht Bille. Communications with SAS Islandwana have been constant and accurate and the report from Marcus were “Islandwana crew have been so professional”. The majority of the fleet were still suffering rough sea conditions last night with poor visibility and a lot of rain this morning.  The current situation on the following yachts: BILLE – All crew of have now been transferred to SAS Islandwana. Two reported injured crew, the skipper with broken ribs and one crew member with lacerations. Both have been tended to by a medical doctor and all are stable and now sleeping.Then navy managed to clear all damaged rigging and have the left the vessel to return to later. Once crew were secured, SAS Islandwana immediately left the area to go to assist yacht AVA. AVA – We have just had a report from SAS Islandwana that they have spotted yacht in very poor visibility. AVA sailing without power and communications but all well on board. SAS Islandwana now on their way to yacht Isla. ISLA reported late last night they were taking on water in the engine compartment and had an electrical fire. They have had a container vessel Bosun, standing by for assistance since early this morning. All is under control and although they originally took the decision to sail back to port now Smit Madura is on station with yacht Isla possibly to tow them back to port. BLACK CAT – NSRI Station 3 are on route to tow her back to shore due to no steerage from a broken rudder. INDABA – On it’s way back to port with on injured crew member. PEEKAY safely in harbour at Yachtport. DO DO, AVOCET, AVANTI & FTI Flyer – are currently heading back to shore. Tranquillo are only able to receive calls, otherwise all well.

update from DALE 2.30pm SA time (6/1/2014)

dale just phoned via satellite phone..both him and Ian ok.."very strong winds and bad seas..taking it conservatively @ present"

media coverage today, 6 January 2014

6 January 2014 position report 9am(South African time)

Our POSITION THIS AM IS: S32 40,72 E14 09.33 Lots of wind.. had 50 across the deck this am.. had surfs doing 20knots. taking it more conservative, running before it with a J4 up. Very wet on deck, with a confused sea state.

Update 8pm SA time 5 January 2013..

A terrible last 36 hours.. Thank goodness dale contacted his wife (me) @ 8.30am south African time....him and Ian are fine but very tired, still battling with huge swells.. Report from Cape 2 Rio Race HQ 20:00 Sunday 5th January 2013 Note: MRCC is Marine Rescue Coordination Centre EPIRB is an Electronic Position Indication Radio Beacon The fleet experienced stormy conditions on their first night, with reports of 40 to 60 knts of wind and swells of 6 metres. Many yachts experienced difficulties with the conditions but most are coming through the worst part. The current situation on the following yachts: • BLACK CAT has reported a broken rudder and is proceeding back to Cape Town, one crew has a sprained ankle and all are well. • PEEKAY have reported sail problems and are proceeding to Saldanha Bay, crew all well. • EXPLORA have reported engine flooded but all well and will attend to the problem in calmer conditions. • ISLA, have reported both engines inoperable, but generator working, PEEKAY have reported receiving a PAN-PAN from ISLA. We have had communication from them to say that all is well. • BILLE reported earlier today mainsail problems and that they were proceeding back to Cape Town for repairs. At 15:00 a report was received that the boat was demasted and there were a number of serious injuries on board. Sadly the yacht reported a fatality of one crew member. MRCC have activated all their agencies and we are in constant communication with the vessel. Race HQ sent the nearest vessel Genevieve Too to yacht Bille and they are currently standing close by to offer assistance. • Ava reported in this morning saying that they were having battery power problems. At 16:18 an EPIRB was activated from Ava and we have received no communication from this vessel since then. MRCC have activated all agencies even though the yacht appears to on course from the XtraLink tracking system. • DoDo reported in at 19:30 this evening to say that they have lost steering and engine power but are hove to and will do repairs to resume racing. The naval frigate, Islandwana, has been mustered with medical crew and will be departing this evening to attend to yacht BIlle and Ava. As more information becomes available we will be updating the website and releasing further statements. The Race Committee at this sad time offer our condolences to the family members of the deceased and the crew.

Day 1 handicap positions

5 January 2013 position report 9.54am (south African time) S 33 16.973 E017 05. 872 Busy night, winds gusting to 38 knots Busy catching up with rest.

From the Cape to Rio official website - "So ... a beautiful day on the Cape 2 Rio start line, a very light South westerly of 10 knots so a reaching start was set up by the race officer Doug Alison. Mark 1 was laid off Granger Bay, Mark 2 off Milnerton and Mark 3 off Blouberg. The IRC 1 and 2 fleets set off at 14:00, 26 boats in the fleet, and the CAT class with 9 CATS set off at 14:10. A huge spectator fleet on the water which was great to see, and they behaved themselves beautifully. The competitors are heading into some rough weather tomorrow, follow their progress on the tracker website http://www.xtra-track.com/cape2rio2014."

today the Cape To Rio Race got off to a wonderful start. with close to 1000 people packing the Royal Cape Yacht Club, the atmosphere was amazing. after a few words from Dale and vice-commodore Ray Matthews, the padre performed the traditional blessing of the fleet. A minute's silence was held in memory of Rob Meek who passed away tragically early on New Year's day.. 36 yachts are now @ sea at the beginning of their life changing trans atlantic crossing..

READY AND WAITING

Yolo is ready and waiting for the Start which will take place at 2pm(SA local Time) on Saturday 4th January 2014. She is now fully stocked, food, water etc.. There is an interesting weather pattern forming in the first part of the South Atlantic. This could prove problematic over the first few days as it will be anything from 40knots.. to light fickle head winds.. as the system moves. Hopefully Yolo will position correctly.. but it would seem that the Faster boats might be able to position themselves ahead of this system.

YOLO BAck in water -17th December 2013

With strong South Easters and the cranes not functioning, Yolo braved her relaunch. After a new prop and a bottom job to a racing finish, it was time to go back in the water. Once launched, supposed to check the prop but with 40knots gusts very difficult so just motored to the newly allocated race mooring in front of the clubhouse.

XTRA-LINK Sponsors YOLO

Xtra-Link has again come aboard as Communications sponsor on Yolo. Xtra-Link has a long relationship with this team spanning back to 2005. On Board Yolo will be a Sailor FBB250 Terminal which supplies voice and high speed internet connection to enable to the team to download the latest weather information. In addition to this they will be carrying a Satellite ISATPHONE.

YOLO out of water for PREP

On Monday the 9th December Yolo was craned out of the water for maintainance. The following to be undertaken: -Clean bottom -Sand down bottom -Respray Antifouling, to maintain race finish. -Apply Sponsor decals on Boat. -Replace Anodes. -Replace PRop *1 *1 Yolo has a Folding Prop. IN light of the long race, the decision was taken to order a specialized Gori RACING folding prop which have the best underwater dynamics while under sail of any prop. The Prop Should arrive on yes.. Friday the 13th December.. to be fitted Soon Afterwards. The Intended date to return to the water is: 17th December.. At this point the boat will move to the event mooring space and be cleaned and thereafter the loading of the boat will begin as she would be ready for the event.

Final Wed Nite Race of the Series 4th December 2013

A Southerly wind blowing with strong gusts just prior to the start with Yolo opting for a conservative approach as we were light on the rail. A mediocre start was had and a drag to Paarden Island followed by a reach to Milnerton. Unfortunately Yolo had a boat covering her wind the whole leg and so was unable to break free.. On the next leg Yolo sailed Rhumb line for number 8 which had her in range of the faster boats. With a short beat to the finish, not much opportunity to make up. Yolo rounded just behind two Class three boats so opted to tack in order to have a clear line.. and witht he Southerlies there were shifts so would hopefully make up some distance. Yolo played the shifts to the finish, catching up enough time to place her third in the Race and 1st Overall in the Series. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Sarel and Owen. Boat Performed well.