Saito Challenge 8 - Day 41

11 / 12 / 08 0700 hours (JST)
Position:
025 38 S, 153 44 E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 14.9%
Heading: 95 / later tack
Boat speed: 3.5 kt (7-day average: 3.2 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 51 nm
Distance made good: 3,637 nm (6,736 km)
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 21,493 nm
Yokohama ETA: 287 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Tasmania (WP #2 / 1,262 nm) ETA: 17.0 days

Weather: Overcast, raining
Barometer: 1012 hPa
Waves: 3.0 - 4.0 m
Wind (from): 20 - 28 kt SSE
Current (from): 0.6 kt N
Engine: 22.0 hr
Generator: 4.5 hr (stopped operating)
Sails
Main: 3-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: 0%

Today's Report
After 4 days of punishing conditions in the face of on-coming 3 - 4 meter seas and headwinds hitting 37 kt, Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III has developed several problems including a slow but worrisome leak, water in the electrical panel, and the loss of the aux generator that stopped working about 4 pm yesterday. These are on top of a series of smaller but nagging problems that have started to build under the frequent storm conditions Saito-san has faced since the second week of his now nearly 7-week voyage.

The current 4-day gale has served to underline the growing seriousness, so this morning a decision was made -- reluctantly by everyone but especially the skipper -- for Saito-san to drop by Sydney for emergency repairs. The repairs and modifications are expected to take a week and will better ensure Saito-san's safety in the much heavier weather conditions he will face in the Indian Ocean, and then later in the Southern Ocean at Cape Horn.

Added Comment
Long-time friend and fellow 1990 BOC single-hand racer Don McIntyre, founder of the Shorthanded Sailing Association off Australia, sent the following message to seek assistance for Saito-san after we contacted him this morning. His explanation notes the concern -- not of the conditions as they are NOW, but what they may become if not dealt with while good help and a convenient port is at hand.

Don's Message to Sydney-based Sailing Friends

Hope you are all well...
You will remember Minoru Saito for sure and hopefully you are following his
latest crazy voyage....amazing stuff for a pensioner!!!

Looks like he will now be giving up his unassisted status for this 8th solo
attempt around the world, as he needs to come into Sydney for a week of
repairs....and his support guys have asked me for some advice and opinions
on how best to plan his arrival and then assist when he gets there.

I am based in Hobart as you know. I would have come to Sydney to be part of
that, but I leave tomorrow for China and the Philippines and do not return
till Dec 3rd when I am only in the office for a few days before then heading
to Antarctica for two months on the 7th Dec....

I will be on emails and the phone, so will do what ever I can...and have
some contacts in Sydney...but before I do that, I thought you guys and the
SSAA [Shorthanded Sailing Association of Australia] should be the first stop.

When Margie and I started the SSAA back in 1983 we always envisioned the
comraderie of shorthanded sailors as being all part of the fun...and Minoru
was the first official "Special Guest" at our first function awarding
prizes...now 25 years later he needs some help.

He needs advice, opinions on where best to go...he would like sympathetic
tradesmen who may consider a discount labour rate and I am sure he would
love to see many volunteers giving him a hand when he arrives so he feels
like he is with friends.

This is a great chance for all the SSAA members to meet a crazy guy with too
many stories and a real hero out there having a go. If anyone can help him
it will make a huge difference...

So what can the SSAA do???? Is there a chance of sending out a call to the
membership?

I have included the work list below just for the four of you...at this stage
the story of his plans and the detail of the work has not been put out to
the media so it is not public yet....but will be soon and wouldn't it be
great for that story to say he will be looked after by the SSAA!!! He needs
a Host Family? Just like we used to do in the BOC days.....

Clearpoint Winds
Forecast

For interactive weather snapshots, visit here: http://www.clearpointweather.com/news/news/minoru-saito-%11-daily-route-conditions/
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