Reini Gelder English

Good Luck in Bad Luck

Reini Gelder — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:23:01 -0500

Yesterday, in pouring rain, I unstepped the mast: When I dissasembled the diamonds I found that the port diamond had a tore too and it broke during the disassembling process. See the picture on the left side. Can you imagine how much luck it was that I did not loose that rigg during the race?

I did not like this detail of the mast design but was assured by the manufacturer that its proven and safe….

Back in Lorient

Reini Gelder — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:33:11 -0500

Since yesterday I am back in Lorient BSM. The weather is beautiful, I am happy again and many racing boats are here, open 60s like Prapec Virbac, Roxy; many trimarans: Orma 60s and the Giants; Figaros, Class 40s, Minis….
When the rigger, Eric Cochet, came to see the boat he was very surprised that I still had the mast after this failure. On Monday we will unstep the mast to change all Diamond wires to something more reliable and then put all the gear on for a planned cruise to the Carribean with Sandra, this winter. In spring I want to return to Lorient solo in preparation for the Route du Rhum 2010. In the meantime I have to go back to work.

Good Luck to everybody in the OSTAR, I hope you allmake it to Newport safe and fast.

Thank you and greetings to all friends and supporters, especially and not to forget those from down under! Reini

Overcoming the depression

Reini Gelder — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:09:19 -0500

Can you imagine a place more suitable for a depressed sailor than a place that hosts bars with names like ATLANTIC and MERAID to overcome his bad mood? Welcome to St. Mary

You fellow sailors may have your salty soup on your way to Newport.- I`v got my MERMAID

Luckily I`m not stranded on a derserted island - but still - to tell you the truth: I`d rather be out there sailing westward into the rising moon…

Tomorrow I will set sails for Lorient

Arrived in St Marie, Scillies, rig saved

Reini Gelder — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:29:17 -0500

After 40 hrs sailing close hauled with starboard wind I arrived in this beautiful place. I am depressed that I had to retire from the race but happy that I could safe the rig. Its almost a miracle that I did not loose it through to the circumstances when the diamond broke with a loud bang. I was just trimmining after I had changed sails and so could tack immediatly. A restart is unthinkable as proper repairs will take to long time.
The night before I was sailing with reef 2 and staysail and when I lay down at 0200 I was not sure if I had enough sail up. At 0300 I woke up when my UP SIDE UP unit gave alarm. It was set to 33° Alarm (heel angle) and 40° sheet release. So I put 3rd reef in and knowing I have had enough sail up all the time I lay down again quite relaxed now.

Thank you very much, all my friends and supporters, you have been a huge help to me. I hope to be able to start again in 2013 Reini

Race over!

Reini Gelder — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:49 -0500

Exactly at 1200 Wednesday 27th my starbord-top-diamond broke at the upper tip of the spreader with a big bang. I just had changed from staysail to solent, to head west with good speed. The mast is still standing, because the rigg was secured with the lower shrouds and the mast rotation was fixed, and I tacked immediately. Sailing now with main (reef no3) and staysail back to France or England. I am now on port tack (starboard wind) heading NW. I am not sure if my lower shroud arrangement can take the load if I tack to take the wind from port side and don´t want to take a risk. The wind is around 16 - 20 knots now and increasing. Because of the westerly winds I intend to sail to the Scilly islands and to anker and make some reinforcements to the rig before i proceed...
All best wishes to you out there.

Seelegs growing!

Reini Gelder — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:32:12 -0500

21.oo h Tuestday: After a stormy first night, where I had the possibility to try all kinds of reef-combinations I went out of the hight one hour ago. Now sailing on the starbord-bow, heading into the second night, expecting more wind to come. Hope the cargo-traffic allows us some naps!

To all the skipper`s family members

Reini Gelder — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:30:42 -0500

Hi out there! I am Sandra, the wife, girlfriend, buddy, shipmate …of Reini Gelder.. We are sailing together since 17 years, and this trimaran is the place where my home and heart is. This is the first time for me, I have to stay on shore, while Reini is crossing an ocean. Pitty! Not that I’d like to do the Ostar, I dream more about cruising, nice weather, easy going in following seas – and winds.

I write here because I’d love to get in contact with all of you who have to stay onshore too this time and wait for news of your loved ones. I would like to share my emotions and thoughts, so I asked Marco Nannini if he would do all the familiymembers a favour and create a forum for them. He replied immediately saying he will install one! This will be a great possibility to get in contact, also for those of you who will travel to Newport for the finish. (Mille grazie a Marco!)

Trimarans in BSM Lorient

Reini Gelder — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:26:53 -0500

The Big Trimaran, Banque Populaire is in preparation for a new Jules Verne record attempt.

Reini Gelder supporting the Charity Organisation Light for the World

Reini Gelder — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:17:04 -0500

Hello everybody,

I am entering the Ostar 2009 in my 18 year old cruising racing Trimaran Ave Gitana. To support Light for the world she was renamed for the race. She was built in New Zealand by Kiwi Grant Wichman and the original design was done by an australian, late Lock Crowther for Ian Johnston and Kathy Hawkins in 1986. I bought her 1993 in Sydney. A decent refit was done by me and my partner Alexandra 2004 - 2006, with the help of some friends in Monfalcone/Italy. Ave Gitana was very much in need for this refit as she was going to brake up at some structural points after 1 and a half times around the world. Some mistakes that where made when originally built where beginning to become a serious issue. Currently I am in Lorient at BSM Marina and still have a lot of work to do. I am looking forward to meet all the other skippers in Plymouth. Until now I only know Anne Casneuve. She came back from the Carribean recently and her tri is near from our location. If you are interested in more information please follow the link www.light-for-the-worl.org/sailing