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| | Wednesday, 6 November, 2002, 17:00 GMT Solo spectacle looms  MacArthur may be racing Kingfisher for the last time
The Route du Rhum starts from St Malo on 9 November. While most eyes are on the America's Cup, those in France are turning to another of the biggest events in the sailing calendar, the Route du Rhum. The well-established race from St Malo to Guadeloupe always tests its solo sailors to the limit and is expected to take 18-20 days. Among those competing are many of the world's top skippers, including Great Britain's Ellen MacArthur and her Offshore Challenges stable-mate Nick Moloney. While MacArthur prepares to race Kingfisher - possibly for the last time - in the monohull 60-foot class, Moloney is one of the favourites in the 50-foot mono division.
The seasoned Australian hopes to "exorcise his demons" after having a terrible time of it the last time he raced solo. But he told BBC Sport Online that a meteorological meeting on Wednesday had turned out the worst-possible forecast for him. "It's a real nose-bleeder - upwind all of the way, which doesn't suit my boat. That's bad news - a nightmare," said Moloney. "My boat, Offshore Challenges 1, can hang on to the 60-footers downwind, but it has a tough job holding off 40-footers into the wind. "That said, I still believe I can win my class.
"After four days upwind, we are expecting better sailing conditions and maybe even the chance to hoist spinnaker and get up some speed." There are likely to be two main tactics in this running of the 24-year-old Route du Rhum. Those with sturdier, upwind-suited craft will punch out west and pass the Azores to the north en route to Guadeloupe. Others will set out further south and will probably pass the mid-way islands to the south. Moloney has decided on his plan of action. "I'll start to the south and take as much ground as I can to the north once I'm in a stable air stream with wind speeds of 30-35 knots but no more."
But Moloney explains that the opposite will be true for MacArthur, whose boat is able to deal with headwinds of more than 40 knots. She - like big rival Roland Jourdain on Sill - will have the big advantage of being able to attack the wind, while lesser craft fight to stay afloat in bruising conditions. "She is in good form, relaxed, positive and really excited," confirms Moloney. "I'm totally nervous after having a torrid time last time I sailed solo in 1999. "I don't enjoy the solo gig. I miss the contact - I'm a people person who likes to chat."
The ambitious Australian set himself three career goals and the Rhum represents an important stepping stone to achieving the last of these. He has already circumnavigated the globe with a crew - on Dennis Conner's Whitbread challenge in 1997/98 - and was part of the Orange team that set a round-the-world non-stop record in 2001. But it remains Moloney's ultimate dream to sail solo in a gruelling race like the Vendee Globe. "I am determined to exorcise my demons and to find out if I'm good enough and brave enough to do what is necessary." The Route du Rhum is certain to provide some answers. | |
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