SPORT / WINDSURF
Press release N°22 - thursday september 4 2003

RAPHAELA LE GOUVELLO
Solitary crossing of the Pacific

First victory over the goose barnacles
and passage across the 100th meridian
 
 
Since last Monday, Raphaëla le Gouvello started fighting against the goose barnacles. The « rake -wishbone » developed and conceived at a distance by the engineer Guy SAILLARD, finally had the last word against these annoying intruders that fasten themselves on the hull of the surf board.

Upon reflection, our adventurer decided that the only solution would be to dive under the board and get rid of the shellfish by scraping them off- as we all know they slow the course of the board in the water.

«I held myself on the survival cord that is placed along the board ». Not a very comfortable position for such a dangerous task…

Her efforts were rewarded. Raphaëla managed to increase her navigation speed considerably and is now catching up the relatively modest delay that had been accumulated. She admitted that « her delight in navigation was restored and that the wind was perfect ". She will remain vigilant however to the presence of these « intruders » and will make sure on a daily basis that they wont proliferate in 23°C waters.

The passage across the 100th méridian occurred between the night of September 1st and the day of September 2. having completed the initial 1000 nautical miles, Raphaëla is now in a position to plan her new objective: the conquest of the 105th meridian.

The weather is mild, combining sun and wind . Raphaëla can benefit from these positive developments: : « my daily rhythm has been restored. The wind was less strong than yesterday but I navigated for almost 8 hours». The sheer physical pleasure of sailing is restored and recent bodily pains that she was submitted to have subsided.

To follow the advice of her physiotherapist as closely as possible, Raphaëla has even improvised a " sports room " where she stretches various parts of her body: knees, fingers and other parts that are constantly physically challenged. Rocked by the waves , she even slept very well for a few nights. Her energy was restored after having been deprived of sleep for over a month.

Raphaëla summarizes this month at sea with the following words : « Generally since my departure , I was lucky enough to benefit from relatively good conditions. The setting off was a little delicate. I was a bit negative, feeling a little uncomfortable, but since a couple of days I feel much more in my element, more serene…”

To evaluate the days spent in this immensity, our courageous adventurer has decided to inscribe the days inside her living space » : «I make marks in groups of 7 ». Very methodically, weeks are thereby materialized. She prefers to get a sense of time to help plan determine the next objective.

The arrival date? Raphaëla le Gouvello prefers not to think about it for the time being.

«For the moment, I take advantage of the environment that surrounds me.I observe the sky, the clouds, the passing birds and the sea breams that accompany me at occasion. I let myself be submerged by this whole experience. Sometimes my thoughts are carried away, very far away…”

The distance that separates Raphaëla from the first Polynesian islands is still very far. Too far to think about. « The date of arrival remains in the realm of dream… too many miles and to great a distance to think of – it gives me vertigo … ». Raphaëla concentrates on maintaining her sea legs and steering ahead towards Tahiti, her next destination.

The weather forecast for the next days are stable with waves swelling up to 1,5 m average and a south-east wind of 15 knots.

Raphaëla was located at 15h30 at 11°03 SOUTH / 102°39 WEST.

News from Raphaëla le Gouvello will be communicated Monday September 8th.

Radio transmissions from Maison de Radio France will take place every day 16H30 from Monday September 8th onwards.

SOUND will be made available during the transmissions organized every day by the PC Course at 15 h 30 at the Maison de la Radio (CAPE) as well as VIDEO IMAGES broadcast by TF1 and photos free of copyright. PLEASE CONTACT US.

If You want to communicate with Raphaëla directly, please contact us directly

Follow current events pertainting to Raphaëla Le Gouvello on her Internet site:
(www.raphaela-legouvello.com)

Management and Administration of the Sports Event- press :
Agence HICKORY
32, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière 75010 Paris
Project Manager:
Arnaud PARSAL-tel: 01 56 03 69 13 - email: sportsoutdoor@hickory.fr
Manager :
Anne COMBIER tel: 01 56 03 69 00 - mob: 06 07 69 23 63
email: annec@hickory.fr

Contact press TF1 :
Laurent PETIT tel : 01 41 41 29 59 - email: lpetit@tf1.fr

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