Phil Sharp trains for doublehanded Figaro. |
Phil Sharp is currently campaigning a Figaro, he has skippered in the Class 40, Mini 650 circuits over the last 3 years. Sharp was born on 11.05.81 in Jersey and aims to win the Vendée Globe one day. Phil has been in the class for a couple of months and is sponsored by Harken UK, Jersey Harbours, Herald Sports but is currently looking for a title sponsor for IMOCA 60 circuit. He is about to participate in Figaro Transat AG2R with co-skipper David Krizek What he says about Harken: - “I have used Harken because it is not only high performance but ultra reliable, and has never once let me down.”
Swallow or Squid for Breakfast
Just over one week into the AG2R double-handed, transatlantic race, with rations low onboard, Phil Sharp and David Krizek have been reduced to eating any flying friends that happen to land on deck! Albeit seemingly willingly! 1,700 miles into the race, most of the fleet have passed the island of Madeira and the majority of them are heading out to the west, waiting to dive south into the illustrious trade winds, with just 4 boats taking the southerly option. Phil Sharp had made the choice to go west before many and has been rewarded with a climb of 6 places in the ranking since last Friday's report!
"One week into the start of the Transat AG2R and on 'Atlantik FT' the island of Madeira is now behind us! After a very slow couple of days going downwind in light airs, we took a more westerly course in order to give us better wind and a better angle to Madeira last night. We had 'Sopra Team' (Antoine Koch) in visual just in front of us Saturday afternoon, who soon gybed off to leave us the furthest west. This option paid off a treat, and Saturday night we had great breeze to notch up 201 miles over 24hrs, which doesn’t sound that spectacular but was the fastest in the race so far, and we managed to leap up 4 positions to 12 place and top half at last! We arrived at Porto Santo, the north-eastern island of Madeira, just in front of 'Group Celeos' (Treussart/Marchand), who are still currently nipping at our heels as I’m writing this, and we are now both heading on a westerly course out into the Atlantic. After over 1,000 miles of racing we are only 68 miles behind the leader, the fleet still being really tight, and routing strategy is going to be paramount over the week. The weather systems in the Atlantic are currently quite unusual and with a depression travelling quite far south, there are no Trade Winds to speak of that are accessible enough to tempt us south as yet. Instead, it looks like a northerly route is best for us so we’ll see what this has in store for us over the next couple of days - rain most probably."
"Life onboard has been pretty enjoyable actually for a boat with no luxuries such as toilet or running water. David and I are pretty upbeat about picking off some positions and are doing everything possible to help this continue. Last night was a good blast, fast conditions, in the pitch black, but we were both fairly well rested to be able to make the most of it. This morning we had a choice for breakfast of squid or swallow to reward our efforts, both of which appeared on the deck this morning having sadly not made it through the night. Given that we hadn't really had a choice of breakfast so far, as basically we don't have any, I went for fresh squid although David was less keen to tuck in, despite our limited rations. The best news about passing Madeira is we can tuck into our second saucisson of the trip, one of France's classic in fact and the best offshore sailing foods - Le Baton Berger. You can't go to sea without it, you can steer with one hand whilst simultaneously consuming vast quantities of food with the other, whilst keeping the boat at max speed. Talking of which I better get back out there and get on with the job of getting into this Top 10!"
"Hope you continue to enjoy following the race. Phil"
Highlight of Day: For David this was apparently watching me eat the squid. Mine was for sure eating it. Music highlights: Roxette (Phil), Pink Floyd (David)
Links:
Website: www.PhilSharpracing.com
