Oman Air continues to make good progress heading north towards the Shetland Isles. Skipper Sidney Gavignet is preparing to head into a big low pressure system which will see him tackle forecasted gusts of over 40 knots. It is a fine balance for Sidney in order to push hard and maintain a good boatspeed, whilst knowing when to back off and be conservative to keep the boat safe.
Trimaran sailing yacht Oman Air Majan Photo Credit mark Lloyd - Oman Sail
Sidney needs to beat Thomas Coville’s average speed of 11.84 knots, at present Oman Air is maintaining an average boat speed of 16 knots
Update from Day 3 of the Round Britain and Ireland Record attempt
Today is the first morning under the cliffs of Scotland, and it very is nice. We had a good night onboard, but I am definitely feeling tired today, the second night is often hard to get through. We are cruising along now, the seas state is a bit rough and we are preparing for the big low pressure system ahead of us. As a result we are slowing down a little, but we are very lucky with the current and as a result we are sailing along nicely at a good 17 knots of boat speed. Hopefully it should allow me some time to get a bit of rest. I didn’t sleep much last night, as I had to keep a close eye on the shipping traffic, that’s one of the biggest challenges with this record, so I can’t complain. The low pressure system is waiting for me up there in the Shetland Isles and we should meet it tonight.
Update from Day 4 of the Round Britain and Ireland Record attempt
It is Day 4 onboard Oman Air Majan, and for skipper Sidney Gavignet the record pace remains. Oman Air has turned the corner and is now west of the British Isles after passing through one of the biggest low pressure systems on this trip so far.
Update from Sidney onboard:
“So here we are!!!!! 30 minutes before rounding the north of Shetland. I am very happy, Oman Air Majan is a strong boat and all is cool here. We are sailing under three reefs and a J3 and preparing to turn the corner. We will then sail upwind for a bit as we aim south, but I say it again I AM HAPPY!”
There is big relief onboard today to have passed through the storm with no breakages. “The team have done an amazing job preparing Oman Air Majan for this record attempt. To pass through that squall with no damage shows the level of work the team have done ahead of this record, many thanks to my team onshore”. At 0800 this morning, Oman Air Majan was sailing at 16 to 18 knots in relatively low north easterly conditions, forecasts suggests the wind will build as the day goes on, and Sidney hopes to reach the tip of Northern Ireland by nightfall. Oman Air Majan continues to stay on record pace and maintain an average speed over 16 knots, which is over 3 knots faster than Sodebo’s average speed on the existing record. One of the biggest challenges for Sidney on this record remains sleep, “I have not slept much in the last 24 hours, maybe 2 hours total, and about the same during the previous ones! There is so much going on, and this is one of the most challemgeing coastlines to sail around so sleep is hard to get at the moment”.
Round Britain and Ireland Record: Cape Lizard – Cape Lizard – West-east Direction – 1.785 miles
Day of the official departure: Thursday August 19, 2010
Official hour: 19:54 mn 08 S (Paris) – 17:54 mn 08s (YOU)
Average speed to be beaten: 11.86 knots
Reference marks of the West-east course chosen by OMAN AIR MAJAN
Total Distance: 1.785 miles
Departure Cape Lizard (49° 57,5N-5° 12 W) – Dover: 260 miles
Dover – North Sheltand /Muckle Flugga (60°52N-0°53W): 600 miles
North the Shetland – Flannan Isles/Northern Scotland: 300 miles
North Scotland – Fastnet (51°23N-9°36W): 420 miles
Fastnet – Scillies/Bishop Rock’n’roll (49°52N-6°27W): 160 miles
Scillies – Cape Lizard: 45 miles
OMAN AIR MAJAN FACTS
Length: 32 meters (105 feet)
Width: 16.50 meters (54 feet)
Largest Sail: 550 m ²
Designers: Nigel Irens – Benoit Cabaret
Built: Boatspeed, Australia (following the example B& Q/Musandam)
Assembled: Salalah, Oman
Lucy Harwood
