Fedor Konyukhov sets inaugural record for Antarctica Cup Ocean Race

Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov returned to Albany, Western Australia, a hero today, throwing down the gauntlet to yachtsmen around the world to break his 102 day record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.

For the bearded 56 year old sailor, this was his 4th solo circumnavigation. ‘Will it be his last?’, Fedor was asked “Having just spent 95 days in the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, I’m not planning to go back in the near future. But the Southern Ocean provides the most spectacular sailing conditions in the world. If I go again, it will be with a crew to make the most of the wild surfing rides you get down there.” He answered.

Setting out from Albany with his Open 85ft monohull Trading Network Alye Parusa at 18:21:40 UTC (10:21:40 WST) on Australia Day – 26th January to take on yachting’s last great frontier. He braved a succession of storms, freezing temperatures, the ever present threat of icebergs and collisions with wales. Konyukhov came through it all unscathed, returning to King George Sound at 02: 56:50 UTC (10:56:50 WST) today to record a time of 102 days 00 hours 56 minutes 50secs for this 16,400 mile circuit of Antarctica.

He had set out from Falmouth England on 12th October 2007, and discounting a 5 day stop in Cape Town and 2 weeks in Albany prior to the start, his 85ft yacht has been ‘home’ for the past 6 months. “We have done 30,000 miles together and now have the greatest respect for her. But I am looking forward now to a nice thick steak, a shower, clean sheets, and 12 hours of sleep. It sounds basic, but that is exactly what I need.” He told reporters gathered on Albany Dock to greet him back

To commemorate this inaugural voyage, Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Race Management announced that they will name Gate 12 (0° W – 0° E) within the Racetrack as the Konyukhov Gate.

Fedor’s achievements:

First solo sailor to complete the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.
First solo sailor to traverse the South Atlantic Ocean – Cape Horn to Cape Agulhas – below 45° South.
First solo sailor to sail non stop from 121°E – 110°E, 15,700 NM, below 40° south taking 95 days – 40 days of which were below 50°S.
First solo sailor to sail a maxi yacht solo around Antarctica.

Antarctica Cup origins

The Antarctica Cup Yacht Race concept has taken Bob Williams and his team 5 years to develop. It brings land based racetrack functionality to yacht racing with a ‘virtual’ 360° racetrack around Antarctica. Like all great racetracks it has a permanent home – Albany in Western Australia.
Albany is one of the oldest ports in Australia. King George Sound is the gateway to Princess Royal Harbour where Albany is located, and like Sydney Harbour, is one of the most beautiful waterways in Australia.
The Princess Royal Sailing Club is one of the oldest in Australia, having been based in Princess Royal Harbour for the past 98 years. It hosts the annual Albany Race around Cape Leeuwin from Fremantle. Next year work will commence on a new AU$100 million waterfront development and marina in Albany with deepwater berths for maxi sized yachts.

The Antarctica Cup will now be an annual. Fedor’s solo circumnavigation has sparked considerable interest around the world with entries now planned from the USA, Europe and Australasia.

Antarctica Cup Ocean Race Divisions

Division A – NATION vs NATION MONOHULL & MULTIHULL
Division B – SOLO MONOHULL & MULTIHULL
Division C – CREWED MONOHULL & MULTIHULL
Division D – PRODUCTION MONOHULL & MULTIHULL
The Antarctica Cup Racetrack will be open each year from December to March for races and record attempts.

Fedor Konyukhov – Biography

1977: Led a scientific research expedition on a 40 ft yacht along the route of Commodore Vitus Bering.
1979: Second stage of the scientific research expedition on yacht along the route Vladivostok –Sakhalin Island – Kamchatka – the Commodore Islands – Ascension – Klyuchevskiy Volcano.
1980: Participated in the Baltic Cup.
1990/1: First Russian sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation – Sydney (Australia) to Sydney.
1994: Completed a second against the prevailing winds.
1997: Skippered the Russian entry in the Ericcson Maxi World Cup.
1998/9: Completed the Around Alone Solo Round the World Race in Open 60 ‘Modern University for the Humanities’
2000/1: Completed the Vendee Globe solo non-stop round the world race in Modern University for the Humanities’
2002: Completed solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in the 7 meters rowboat ‘Uralaz’, setting a record 46 days, 4 hours from La Gomera (Canaries ) — Barbados
2003: Set a 9 day E-W transatlantic sailing record from Canary islands — Barbados on a 102 ft catamaran ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ (ex. ENZA)
2003: Set a 16 day W-E transatlantic sailing record from Jamaica — Lands End (UK) on ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa
2003: Set an 11-hour trans-Baltic sailing record from Helsinki (Finland) to St. Petersburg (Russia). on maxi yacht BOLS
2004: Set an E-W transatlantic solo sailing record of 14 days 7hrs from La Gomera (Canaries) to Barbados in current 85ft yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’
2004/5: Solo circumnavigation from Falmouth (UK) to Hobart (Tasmania) Falmouth in Single-handed round the world sailing in ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa‘
2008: Set a solo non-stop record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack of 102 days 00 hours 56 minutes 50secs in ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa‘

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress. Antarctica Cup Racetrack
For further information and interviews, Contact:
Bob Williams, Chairman — Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492
For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]
For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]

Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70Dateline: 06:56 UTC 6th May 2008

One last night at sea for Konyukhov

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Position: 35°44.95’S 116°27.02’E

Course: 10° Speed: 4knots. Wind: 5-10kt variable Northerlies

Distance to the finish: 80 n.miles

Day 100: At 07:00 UTC (15:00 WST) Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov was within 80 miles of setting an inaugural record for the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race. Having turned his back on the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, the 56 year old adventurer is now sweating to make more than 4 knots in the light head winds produced by the high pressure system currently hanging over Cape Leeuwin and the finish line set inside King George Sound.

“Here in Albany the wind is blowing only 5-8 knots, so it is hard to work out Fedor’s ETA with any accuracy.” Said Oscar Konyukhov, Trading Network Alye Perusa’s shore manager, adding. “We expect the winds to drop further overnight, so our best estimate is a Wednesday morning finish.”

Press Call:
The press boat Silverstar will leave Albany Town Jetty at 08:00 WST. Weather permitting, it will then head out to greet Fedor Konyukhov off Eclipse Island, and follow his yacht Trading Network Alye Perusa to the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race finish line inside King George Sound. Once across the line Fedor will head for Middleton Bay and make a sweep around Marine Drive, then drop sails and moor up alongside the Albany Town Jetty.

Fedor will then attend a press conference aboard Silverstar when he will also receive the Antarctica Cup Perpetual Trophy and the City of Albany medal.

For interviews in English or Russian, contact Oscar Konyukhov on + 61 409 51 36 05
For a media place on the press boat, contact Bob Williams on +61 413 057 559

Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70Dateline: 20:20 UTC 5th May 2008

Stop Press – Konyukhov now within 150 miles of Albany finish

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Position: 36°08.90’S 115°47.20’E

Course: 37° Speed: 6knots. Wind: 10kt WNW

Distance to the finish: 150 miles

Fedor plans for Wednesday morning WST finish – whales willing!

Day 100: Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov is now within 150 miles of sailing into the record books as the first to complete a circumnavigation of Antarctica below 45°S. The 56 year old adventurer now expects to reach Albany, the start and finish point for the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race, on Wednesday morning – providing there are no more moments like last night when he came within a few metres of hitting a whale.
Fedor reports:
“I went on deck as the sun was setting – and just in time spotted a giant sperm whale on a collision heading with my yacht. It was steaming towards the southern ocean without paying any attention to my vessel – like a 20m long piece of driftwood, with a powerful fountain!
I just managed to bear away as it passed 5-6 meters from the bow. If I had not taken rapid action I would certainly have hit it. It reminded me never to say one is in safe waters until the boat is alongside the jetty. Even within 150 miles of the finish anything can happen.
Right now I’m in a tricky situation. I have all sails set with nightfall approaching together with some menacing black clouds I’m fighting the temptation to reduce sail to be on the safe side in case of a sudden squall, but at the same time I don’t want to slow down the boat. It would be crazy to damage the rig or a sail so close to the finish, yet I need to reach Albany by Wednesday – before the winds fail. This is going to be stressful and sleepless night. The ocean is smooth and it is very, very, calm – well much calmer than the weather I had to endure three days ago.”

Press Call: The press boat Silverstar will leave Albany Town Jetty at 08:00 WST. Weather permitting, it will then head out to greet Fedor Konyukhov off Eclipse Island, and follow his yacht Trading Network Alye Perusa to the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race finish line inside King George Sound. Once across the line Fedor will head for Middleton Bay and make a sweep around Marine Drive, then drop sails and moor up alongside the Town Jetty.

Fedor will then attend a press conference aboard Silverstar when he will also receive the Antarctica Cup Perpetual Trophy and the City of Albany medal.

For interviews in English or Russian, contact Oscar Konyukhov on + 61 409 51 36 05
For a place on the press boat, call Bob Williams on +61 413 057 559

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.
For further information and interviews, Contact:
Bob Williams, Chairman — Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492
For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]
For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]

Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70Dateline: 07:36 UTC 5th May 2008

Fedor on a rush to finish – before the wind dies out!

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Position: 37°19.90S , 114°2.25E

Course: 47° Speed: 10knots. Wind: 15-20-kt WNW

UTC time: 05. L`i 2008 07:36

Distance sailed since the start: 16,100 miles. Distance to the finish: 230 miles

Day 100: He has spent the past 99 days braving the worst that the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes could throw at him. But now Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov is in a race against time on the home stretch of the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race to reach the finish line at Albany, Western Australia before the winds die out altogether. At O7:30 UTC today, the 56 year old adventurer was within 230 miles of becoming the first sailor to complete a circumnavigation of Antarctica entirely in the freezer-like conditions in the 40°, 50° and 60° latitudes marked out by the circular Antarctica Cup Racetrack. But as Lee Bruce, Fedor’s ever-reliable weather router pointed out today: “Timing Fedor’s arrival is complicated by a section of light wind along the coast, but it looks like an arrival between 00:00 -12:00 UTC (0800 WST – 2000 WST) on Wednesday May 7. Any later than that, and he runs the risk of losing the wind entirely.”

For Fedor, an extra day at sea is not going to worry him too much – The Russian is enjoying the warm weather he has missed since his Australia Day start from Albany on January 26. He reported overnight:

“It’s getting warm out here. I really can feel it now. The air smells different. It’s still raining, but it’s a comfortable rain – not those freezing bullets I’ve had for the last 3 months. This morning I crossed latitude 40° south and exited the ‘Roaring Forties’. It’s a very emotional feeling; a combination of joy and sadness. Will I ever sail these waters again? I have spent more than half a year sailing my yacht ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ from UK to Australia and the Antarctica Cup Race Track. I am now so used to this routine and frankly, I am scared to change it! It is all so predictable here in the ocean. Over the past 100 days, the yacht has become an essential part of my life yet soon I will have to leave her alone at anchor. This is hard to take in. My thoughts now are how to approach Albany? What time? Who will meet me? What will the weather be like? My thoughts are all focused on the finish.”

ANTARCTICA CUP Perpetual Trophy unveiled.
Fedor Konuykhov will be the first recipient of a magnificent glass trophy produced by Australian glass artist Kevin Gordon. The 900mm high award with its frosted bowl depicting the frozen Antarctic wastes will be presented to each champion of the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The West Australian artist had an international reputation with his work displayed in the Sir Elton John American Glass Collection and galleries across Europe. Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Management said at the unveiling in Albany today: “We were delighted when Kevin agreed to design and craft this perpetual trophy and the replicas that will be awarded to each champion. Our brief was for a trophy that depicted the Antarctic environment in all its beauty, a trophy that was distinctly original, with a replica our champions will be proud to take home. Kevin has done us proud.”

Media Call to cover Konyukhov’s finish
Fedor is now within 230 nautical miles of the Finish Line in King George Sound. The light variable winds forecast are likely to delay his return until Wednesday May 7 or Thursday May 8.
With members of the international press already in Albany, places on the press boat are limited to a first come, first served basis.
To book a seat, please call Bob Williams on:
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams,
+61 419 969 492
www.antarcticacup.com

Links to Hi Res Image Files

Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 00:57 UTC– 28th April 2008

Fedor bids ‘au revoir’ to the ‘Furious Fifties’ latitudes

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Position: 48° 16.47S , 90° 27.45E

Course: 67° Speed: 11knots. Wind: SSW 30-40knots

Day 92: Fedor Konyukhov crossed Sanders Gate (90°E) overnight and now has the finish of the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race in sight – on his charts at least!

The 56 year old Russian adventurer, who has spent the last 40 days in the freezing ‘Furious Fifty’ latitudes (between latitude 50S and 60S), is now within 1,600 miles of the Albany finish line, and sprinting towards the Antarctica Cup Racetrack exit gate (45°S, 105°E) at 11knots.

By the time Fedor’s 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa gets above 40°S in six days time, he is likely to have chalked up another record for spending 52 days inside the ‘Roaring Forty’ latitudes.

Konyukhov is hopeful of reaching the finish line in King George Sound on May 8 but knows that a lot can happen between now and then – especially if the winds fail to play their part.

Following problems with the yacht’s main communications system, Fedor spoke to his shore team over his spare Iridium hand-held satellite phone, pulled from his survival grab bag,

“The troubleshooting procedure shows that there is a problem with the antenna which, battered by following seas during the past week, has now given up. The line is clear with the portable sat phone but the one disadvantage is that I can only get a satellite signal when calling on deck. There is no coverage inside the boat. The last 24 hours were quite challenging, after enduring strong northerly winds for almost 100 hours, someone turned the switched off. It was that sudden, dropping from 45knots to 0.5knots within minutes. The ocean swell continued, but the boat was left with no power at the mercy of the waves and the mainsail crashed from side to side. Before I could drop it, one of the stainless steel connecting pins attaching the mainsail to the luff traveler on the mast broke, and is now rubbing on the carbon mast. I have tried to unscrew the broken part, but so far this has been unsuccessful. The remaining bit is too short to get at with pliers. I have several spare pins and just have to continue working on the problem until it is fixed.

“I am finally heading towards the turning mark at 105°E. The long range forecast suggests that I may have to sail east of this in order to lay Albany. Before the winds dropped, they delivered an unbelievable amount of snow up to 10cm thick on deck. The bottles of fresh water I keep in the cockpit were also frozen. I can easily imagine the conditions the first polar explorers experienced and can only hope to be out of these refrigerator conditions soon.”

Latest forecast from weather router Lee Bruce:
Strong SSW wind will continue for another 12 hours or so, and then decrease and eventually shift to NW.
28 April 08 /0000 UTC: SSW 35 knots, gusting 45 knots, 0600: SSW 30-35 gust 40 knots, 1200 UTC: SSW/SW 25-30 knots, 1800 UTC: SSW 15-20 knots.
29 April 08 /0000 UTC: SW 8-13 knots becoming W 7-12 knots, 0600 UTC: WNW 10 knots, 1200 UTC: NNW 10-15 knots, 1800 UTC: NNW 15 knots.
30 April 08 /0000 UTC: NW 15 knots.

Note to Editors: GATE 17 SANDERS GATE (90E) is named after Jon Sanders AO, OBE, (1939 –):Jon Sanders is the famous West Australian yachtsman who completed, two (1981/82), and then three (1986/88), consecutive non-stop unassisted solo circumnavigations of the globe. Jon Sanders was inducted into the ‘Single-Handed Sailor’s Hall of Fame’ in Newport, Rhode Island, USA in 1991. Jon’s records include:

1981-82. Double non-stop solo circumnavigation west to east via the Southern Ocean.
1986 May 25th – left Fremantle, Western Australia and headed east.
1988 March 13th – returned from 656 days 21 hours and 18 minutes at sea, completing three non-stop solo circumnavigations.

The Guinness World Records cites this as the longest distance ever sailed continuously by any vessel. (71,023 nautical miles) and ‘The longest period ever spent alone at sea – 657 days’. Jon Sanders was the first singlehanded yachtsman to circumnavigate Antarctica (1981 / 82) in his S&S 34 fiberglass yacht Perie Banou. Jon, now 69. is still active in offshore ocean racing and regularly delivers yachts around the world.
The photograph of Jon Sanders (left) with Fedor Konyukhov was taken on the eve of Fedor crossing the Start Line of the inaugural Antarctica Cup Ocean Race.

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 05:11:00 UTC– 25th April 2008

Konyukhov – Now within 1,800 miles of Albany finish

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Position: 49°21.54S , 81°56.82E

Course: 124° Speed: 6.9knots. Distance sailed since the start: 14,422.2 nm

Day 90: As Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov commences his 90th day at sea in this lonely quest to set a benchmark record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, the Russian adventurer must be wondering what more the weather gods can throw at him before the finish back at Albany, Western Australia.

This past week has been the most frustrating of all. No sooner had his 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa cleared the Kerguelen Islands last Monday, when the winds went light and boxed the compass for 12 hours. One moment he was heading south; the next he was going north, unable to make any headway towards Albany.

Today, he is facing another 50 knot howler from the north that could drive him down as far as 51°S. So much for any thoughts of climbing up into warmer latitudes!

Just what Fedor thinks about his zigzag course this past week is unclear because his satellite phone went down yesterday and he is now restricted to sending short e.mails. The problem may be as simple as a damp sim card, but finding a dry cloth to wipe it clean is not easy on a condensation-ridden boat that has been at sea for 3 months!

Weather router Lee Bruce surmised

“I learn that Fedor has been wondering if he should have sailed farther south a few days ago. Not so. The chart for 24 April 1800UTC suggests that he would have been in an even tougher position now had he started out farther south in this northerly gale. The north wind extends for more than 1800 nautical miles, from 30S to 58S! So there was no option to escape – only to limit its effect.

Fedor has been sailing about as fast as he has at any time since he left Albany, but my guess is that he’s actually trying to slow the boat down, to limit the southing. And although he’d like to sail more easterly, he’s limited by the wave action. It’s a fine balance between protecting the boat and aiming for the finish. Once the north wind moves through, conditions will become variable, and then there will be a risk of 40 knots gusting 50 knots SW wind. Fedor is amazingly resilient, but my guess is that even he will be very glad when this is over!”

Stop Press: Contact with Fedor has rbeen restored: His shore team report:

“Condition are tough and Fedor is doing his best to limit southing. His main concern is the boat which is under enormous stress from massive swells that are crashing over the stern threatening rudder tillers and all antennas (GPS, Sat-C, Iridium and etc)

His tactic is to sail with the wind and waves. Slowing the boat down is not the best option. Instead he is trying to keep the boat on a ‘safe’ angle to the waves, while at the same time, maintain some easterly heading and at the same time try to maintain eastern heading

Fedor has been living on tea and coffee without sleep for the past 24 The autopilots are working at their limit and he has to change them over every hour. We asked Fedor what he wish for at these circumstances, expecting to hear: better weather, fresh food or less cold. Instead, he said “one more person on board. I like it out here, but sometimes it is very hard to rely only on just yourself while keeping everything working and making decisions. It would be nice to share a cup of tea and a chat with someone else. We could push the boat and enjoy every aspects of the weather even these 50 knot Northerly winds. Perhaps next time!”

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 06:49:00 UTC– 21st April 2008

‘Liquid Himalayas’ rage around Kerguelen Islands

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Position: 46°48.72’S 73°28.38’E

Course: 54° Speed: 5knots Distance sailed since start: 13,826.2 nm

Day 85: After spending the weekend fighting head winds and huge seas around the Kerguelen Islands, Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov finally cleared this last obstacle within the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, and is now on the final stage of this solo circumnavigation back to Albany, Western Australia.

On Saturday, Fedor reported: “I am sailing in a powerful weather pattern with winds from the SSW and absolutely chaotic seas. It’s extremely cold and I can’t breathe freely on deck. Frozen air is burning my lungs and I need to wear a handmade scarf to protect my face. Heavy snow makes it very hard to work in the cockpit. Although it is late April, it feels like mid winter. Either I’m getting tired or indeed winter is here.

The waves are monstrous, have built up to 8-9 meters during the past 12 hours. Having spent nearly 3 months in the Southern Ocean below 45° South, I still can’t get used to the power and size of these SW swells. I compare it like this: in a NW gale you experience ‘Alps’ sized waves. With SW gales you have ‘Himalaya’ waves – and the difference is big!

Thanks to Lee Bruce’s weather routing, I am on the right side of the low pressure system and are now sailing away from Kerguelen with 45+ knots of wind with the islands 130-140° to starboard. My task is to get to 46°30′ South to avoid the worst of the shoaling. Kerguelen has a very wide and shallow plateau with some areas only 120 meters deep. That’s very shallow for Southern Ocean conditions – Right now, I have 2,500 meters under my keel and 8 meter waves. Imagine when this mass of water over two kilometers deep, meets a fast-rising shoal only 200 meters deep – It produces very steep waves with near vertical walls! It’s like riding a rollercoaster, so I must do my utmost to steer north of the islands and stay in deep water.”

Today, Fedor reported: a successful rounding: “Last night I finally cleared Kerguelen from the north in quite comfortable conditions. I built up plenty of sea room to be sure that there were no unpleasant surprises. In fact, this archipelago acted as a huge breakwater, creating a smooth sea state to the north and the SW swells dropped down to 4-5 meters height.

This was the last island on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The next dry land is Western Australia. The weather pattern ahead is complicated. Lee Bruce recommends a SE heading towards 49°S. Cold again! I was hoping that after Kerguelen I will not sail below 47°South but it seems we need to “dive deep south” one more time.

All is fine on board the good ship Trading Network Alye Parusa. She is in great shape and the rudder repairs are holding perfectly, but anything can still happen over the final 2000 miles to the finish!”

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.
Antarctica Cup Racetrack

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 06:50:00 UTC– 18th April 2008

Kerguelen Islands – Konyukhov’s last obstacle before the finish

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Position: 49°05.34’S 63°06.54’E

Course: 51° Speed: 4.1knots Distance sailed since start: 13354.3 nm

Day 82: The Kerguelen Islands (49°15’S, 69°35’E) may be no more than a pin-prick on an empty ocean, but as far as Russian solo sailor Fedor Konyukhov is concerned, they have the power of a 60 tesla magnet, drawing his 85ft yacht inextricably towards their treacherous shores.

For the past two days, Konyukhov and his weather mentor, Lee Bruce, have been struggling to decide which way to go round this French scientific outpost. “This is probably the most difficult weather scenario Fedor has faced” Says Bruce. “Persistent NNW winds has driven Fedor south of east over the past 24 hours. As he approaches Kerguelen Island, the weather pattern will be in tremendous flux. If we were dealing just with the weather, it would not be so difficult. But adding the large land and shoaling of Kerguelen adds a very big problem to the mix. We have looked at leaving Kerguelen to port as well also to starboard. At first, heading to the south was the easier option, but then the forecasts showed up a southerly gale building, which could push him towards the islands.

So that means leaving Kerguelen to starboard. But getting north won’t be easy. Fedor will have to climb steeply to the NNE, and will have to tangle with another fast moving low, quickly followed by another, which brings with it the threat of easterly head winds. But as difficult as this will be, it is better than the risk of going south of Kerguelen.

The forecast assumes aiming for 48°S 64°E, even if it means heading west of north at times:

17 April 08/0000 UTC: NNW 40-45knots gusting 50 knots becoming NW 20-25 knots. 1200 UTC: NW 20-25 knots becoming W to WSW 15 knots.

18 April 08/000 UTC: WSW 15 knots becoming light and variable. (Hopefully at least as far north as 48° 30’S and west of 64°E). 1200 UTC: NE to SE 25 knots. 1800 UTC: Low very close by, moving ESE. Becoming S 40 knots gusting 50 knots.”

Fedor reports from onboard Trading Network Alye Parusa: “We are sailing in a very powerful weather pattern that pushes us to E-S-E. The sea is getting very rough. The wind force is not a problem but if I sail too close to the northern side of Kerguelen Island I will experience very high seas on the shoaling. If I dive to 50S I get gale force head winds south east of Kerguelen. There are not many options. The plan for the next 24 hours is to sail as close to the wind as possible but the boat gets plenty of kicks from the sea with rolling seas crashing on deck.

During the night I had a problem with the staysail furling line, which has chafed and jammed in the block at the bow. I didn’t notice it until nightfall when the wind had increased to 50 knots and I tried to furl the staysail in. This 70sq m sail is like a piece of stiff plywood in these winds and low temperatures. Working on the bow with zero visibility when the boat is constantly crashing into waves is dangerous so I left the sail unfurled until morning. It would normally be a simple job to replace the furling line, but working on the bow in these conditions was like riding a wild mustang and took 3 hours. Now the technical side is under control. The weather is not. I hope Lee Bruce can push the right buttons and get a better forecast!”

Note to Editors: The Kerguelen Islands or Îles Kerguelen, were discovered by French navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen de Trémarec in February 1772. They form part of the French Southern and Antarctic lands which also encompass Adélie Land, the Crozet Islands, Amsterdam and Saint Paul Islands

This archipelago, also known as Desolation Island, was once a regular port of call for British, American, and Norwegian whalers and sealers who hunted the resident mammals to the point of near extinction. Captain James Cook also stopped in the islands in 1776. Kerguelen is now home to 50-100 scientists, together with a well-established feral cat population, descended from ships’ cats that strayed ashore and now survive on sea birds and non-indigenous rabbits introduced to the islands.

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 00:19:00 UTC– 15th April 2008

Konyukhov – Now on the ‘home stretch’, but suffering from the cold

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Position: 48°17.34’S 50°36.24’E

Course: 74° Speed: 7.6 knots. Distance sailed: 12,824nm

Day 80: Now safely out of the ice region, Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov is cracking on along what he sees as the ‘home stretch’ of the 16,000-mile Antarctica Cup Racetrack back to Albany, Western Australia. Still deep in the Roaring Forty latitudes, however, he remains all too aware that he is neither out of the cold — or danger – yet.

Passing south of the French Crozet islands on Monday, the 56-year-old solo circumnavigator expects to clear the Kerguelen Islands, the half way stage across the South Indian Ocean, on Sunday April 20. Now sailing well into the Austral Autumn, Fedor knows that at this time of the year, the Southern Ocean can still throw up quite a few surprises.

Back in 1982, Jon Sanders, the first person to make a solo circumnavigation of Antarctica, survived a 180° knockdown at 90°E and in 1997 Tony Bullimore lost the keel on his yacht Exide Challenger at 100°E and survived for 5 days inside his upturned hull before being rescued by the Australian Navy. For the moment, Fedor’s mind is attuned to simply fighting frostbite. He reports:”Imagine yourself in a refrigerator and someone pours water on you! It is very, very cold and worst at night when the temperature falls to 0° and the fog, wet air and strong winds simply blows life out of your body. I can’t even get warm working on deck, and once I have finished a job in the cockpit, it takes hours to recover. I just can’t stop shivering. I don’t have any dry clothes. Everything from my leather boots to hat are wet and cold. The only source of heat is my own body temperature. I am now down to my last bottle of gas and have to use it economically. It would be suicidal to waste it heating the boat, and not to have hot meals in these conditions.

My boat, Trading Network Alye Parusa, is now very much a part of me — she is like race horse or pack of racing dogs that sense we are on the home stretch, and is running steady regardless the wind. I have spent enough time sailing her now to know that she is an animated body, and not just a hull, mast and sails. The winds are currently blowing 30+ knots and shifting from N-W to S-W, so we are gybing every 5-6 hours and leaving a zigzag course on the charts.”

Bob Williams, the Director of the Antarctica Cup event, today expressed his highest regard for what Fedor Konyukhov has achieved

“With the second half of the Indian Ocean still to cover we are conscious that storms here can be just as ferocious as anything that the South Pacific or South Atlantic Ocean can throw at a weary sailor. No other solo sailor has endured such a long period below latitude 45° South. Fedor has demonstrated a continued determination to take on this challenge head-on, regardless of what the weather has thrown at him. We do expect future competitors to break this inaugural record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, for Fedor has provided us with invaluable data about the weather, currents and icebergs. We now hope that the example he is setting will inspire others to bring their monohulls and multihulls to conquer what is without question the most challenging yacht Racetrack on the planet.”

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 02:10:00 UTC– 8th April 2008

Major milestone as Fedor crosses GATE 14
to establish a new world record within the record.

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Position: 46°10.44’S 23°23.28’E

Course: 93° Speed: 10 knots Distance sailed: 11,649.7 nm

Day 72: Fedor Konyukhov, the Russian adventurer trailblazing an inaugural sailing record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, chalked up another milestone today. After passing through Gate 14 within the circular 3-lane racetrack around Antarctica, the 56 year old became the first solo yachtsman to to sail non-stop from Cape Horn (GATE 8, 67E) across the South Atlantic Ocean to the junction of the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean (GATE 14 20E) keeping below latitude 45° South.

Other yachtsmen have sailed across the South Atlantic before, most notably, Australian circumnavigator Jon Sanders, who completed the first a double circumnavigation aboard his S&S; 34 monohull Perie Banou back in 1981/2. The West Australian, who has a gate within the Racetrack named after him and saw Konyukhov off on his record mission from Albany on 26 January, also passed south of the three great capes – Horn, Good Hope and Leeuwin – before continuing on around Cape Horn a second time and turning north to revitual his yacht in Plymouth UK before returning south around Good Hope and back to Fremantle. The difference is that Sanders sailed northwards after Cape Horn and rounded the Falkland Islands, and crossed much of the South Atlantic Ocean north of the Roaring Forty latitudes.

Konuykhov however, has remained south of the 45° South latitude throughout, running a gauntlet through ‘iceberg alley’ as the South Atlantic has been termed this year for the record number of icebergs that have been spotted floating up from the Antarctica Peninsular.

For the record, the distance sailed by Konuykhov and his 85ft yacht Trading Nework Ale Parusya between Cape Horn and Good Hope is 3,750 nautical miles in an elapsed time 25 days, 15 Hours, 42 Minutes.

For Fedor, however the time to celebrate is when he completes the final 4,350 mile Indian Ocean leg of this circumnavigation and returns to Albany early in May to claim the World Sailing Speed Record Council ratified record for racing around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack.

Note to Editors: The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. There is a very common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, but in fact the southernmost point is Cape Agulhas, about 150 kilometres to the southeast (20°E & Gate 14 within the Antarctica Cup Racetrack). However, when following the coastline from the Equator, the Cape of Good Hope marks the psychologically important point where one begins to travel more eastward than southward. Thus the rounding of the Cape in 1488 was a major milestone in the attempts by the Portuguese to establish a sea route to the Far East

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 01:06:00 UTC– 7th April 2008

Fedor Konyukhov crosses the Cape of Good Hope Meridian
Now on the last stage across the Indian Ocean

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Position: 45°49.32’S 19°20.64’E

Course: 82° Speed: 7.4knots. Distance travelled since start: 11,470.1 nm

Day 71: Fedor Konuykhov ticked off another majormile stone overnight, passing the Cape of Good Hope (18° 28E longitude) during his solo circumnavigation of Antarctica. ‘Iceberg ally’, as the South Atlantic Ocean has been called this season, is also behind him, but the 56 year old Russian adventurer, trailblazing an inaugural record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack from Albany, Western Australia and back aboard his 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa, is currently enduring a freezing blast from the South.

Fedor reports: “I am about to enter the Indian ocean (20°E) but sailing in a powerful southerly storm with gusts up to 45 knots, heavy snow and 10 meter swells. These southern winds bring very cold air. It’s freezing!

I sleep for one hour after every four hours watch. My sleep times average a cumulative 4-5 hours every 24. I try to sleep more during the day when it is a little warmer and I can relax a bit. The nights are difficult. With sudden gusts it’s easier to bring the boat under control when I am fully awake and wearing my storm gear rather than jumping out of the sleeping bag and trying to figure out what has happened. From sunset to sun rise I’m an ‘owl’ not leaving the navigation station, and continually monitoring the area around the boat for icebergs.

My morning routine starts with a boat inspection. I check deck gear, winches, blocks, standing rigging, running rigging, rudder tillers, and then I go below and check autopilots, batteries, ballast valves and inlets, engine and generator inlets, water pumps, steering cables, and more. It’s very hard to conduct repairs here; my task is to spot a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. I rely on my boat 100% since it is my only protection against the brutal conditions outside. I man the helm, switch off the autopilots, and start the generator to charge the batteries. If the wind is above 30 knots the wind-driven generators allow me to rest the diesel generators for three days. I have plenty of fuel. Both wind generators are working fine and give me a ‘sustainable source of energy’.

After a couple hours on deck, it’s time to cook something hot, weather permitting. Normally I have oats, porridge, or rice with raisins or spaghetti. I have some fish and meat tins but they are tasteless. I provisioned the boat in Falmouth, Cape Town and Albany but regardless of the country of origin, the food tastes the same. With globalised brands dominating the world you don’t get local flavour. This is boring and the world is losing it’s individuality. In 100 years we may all become one big country.

Down here in the Southern Ocean, every albatross is different, every wave is different, and every sunrise unrepeatable. We must keep our uniqueness. I like the quote from Australian solo circumnavigator Jon Sanders: “Why live an ordinary life — be original”. It’s a great philosophy. It’s not necessary to sail around the world but be original in what you are doing, in art, music, science, and in business.

I am approaching the boundary where the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet. It’s good to have the Antarctica Cup Racetrack gateway points to keep me busy with Gate 14 just ahead.

Regards, Fedor”.

Note to Editors: The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. There is a very common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, but in fact the southernmost point is Cape Agulhas, about 150 kilometres to the southeast (20°E & Gate 14 within the Antarctica Cup Racetrack). However, when following the coastline from the Equator, the Cape of Good Hope marks the psychologically important point where one begins to travel more eastward than southward. Thus the rounding of the Cape in 1488 was a major milestone in the attempts by the Portuguese to establish a sea route to the Far East

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70

Dateline: 02:26:00 UTC– 4th April 2008

Konyukhov returns to Eastern Hemisphere.
Ahead – the final gauntlet through ‘Iceberg Alley’

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Position: 46°43.38’S 7°18.66’E

Course: 78° Speed: 5.6 knots. Distance since start: 10,960.6 nm

Day 68: Fedor Konyukhov, the Russian adventurer currently trailblazing a solo course around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, has crossed the Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian) from the Western Hemisphere back into the Eastern Hemisphere this week, but still faces the threat of icebergs in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The 56 year old solo circumnavigator left Albany, Western Australia 68 days ago and still has a further 20 degrees of longitude to cover before becoming the first person to sail solo non-stop continuously below 45° South and Polar Convergence Zone from the South Pacific Ocean, around Cape Horn, and across the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Despite the thousands of previously unplotted icebergs picked up by C-CORE, the Canadian ice tracking service within the South Atlantic Ocean, Fedor has yet to be threatened by one, thanks to the routing advice provided by the Antarctica Cup Race Organisers and his American weather guru, Lee Bruce.

This coming weekend however, he faces the last great hurdle in this respect, having to thread his way between a host of bergs congregated around Gate 13 within the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. The threat is not so much the big icebergs, which are all plotted by satellite, but the many growlers and bergy bits that have calved from these giant sculptures and drifted away. They remain unseen by satellite – and more pertinently the radar on Fedor’s 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa.

Fedor reports: “It is good to be back in my home hemisphere where we have both Moscow – home for me – and Albany home for the Antarctica Cup event. It’s a great feeling to have the vast distance of the Western Hemisphere behind the stern and at the same time it’s a little bit sad that I’m leaving this harsh, hostile but the unique environment around Cape Horn. From now on we have another 118 degrees of longitude to Albany, which I’ve broken into several stretches. First task is to sail through the iceberg range from 0°0’E to 15°0’E. (See Google chart above) We have decided to round several confirmed icebergs leaving them either to port or starboard. There should be a gap between two groups of confirmed icebergs and I want to navigate there. Once I clear this section, the next stage is the Cape of Good Hope. That leaves 100 degrees to Albany, another leg to Kerguelen Islands, and from there – the final stretch to Albany”.

Click here for latest updates on Fedor Konyukhov’s progress.
Antarctica Cup Racetrack

For further information and interviews, Contact:

Bob Williams, Chairman
Antarctica Cup Management Pty Ltd
[email protected]
+61 413 057 559
Or: Richard Williams, +61 419 969 492

For hi res pictures or video, contact PPL Photo Agency: +44 (0)1243 555561 [email protected]

For more information about Fedor Konyukhov, visit: www.konyukhov.ru
Or contact: Oscar Konyukhov: [email protected]
Russia: + 7 910 477 09 70


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