Volvo Ocean Race - Brunel slipping away after tough night for Dongfeng

by Dongfeng Race Team on 27 May 2015 Volvo Ocean Race - Just over 300 miles to go and it's been a wet, cold and frustrating night for the determined men of Dongfeng as they fight to stay with leg leaders Brunel. A difficult sail change during the night, and some consistently better boat speed from Brunel in these tight reaching conditions has put over seven miles between them, with Mapfre sandwiched in the middle.

Brunel are just four points (effectively three with the tiebreaker in their favor) behind Dongfeng in the overall standings – so Charles and the team simply must find a way to get back to them, and pass them, before the Lisbon finish line. With the timing of the final approach likely to be in the early hours of the morning, possibly one of the worst times for wind in the bay between Cascais and Lisbon, there could of course be a complete restart.

Maybe even sufficient a park up for Abu Dhabi, unusually back in fifth place but closing Alvimedica in fourth, to come back for the final fight too. Either way, the results in this leg are critical for the entire race – they will set the tone for the final two ‘sprint’ legs – will Abu Dhabi remain clear enough ahead to relax (not it seems the mode Ian Walker is in right now!), will Brunel get close to stealing second place from Dongfeng, or will Dongfeng manage to pull off a result right at the front and open up the entire race result?

When boats stop in the calms, remember that it only takes the boat behind doing 18 knots 25 minutes to catch up seven miles.

Only time will tell. The next 24 hours to be precise.

And until then if you think its simple straight line sailing, think again – 'In the middle of the night, on the foredeck of a boat launched at full speed, heeled to 30 degrees and covered by the waves, changing the foresail for the J1 is not what you would spontaneously choose to do”.

It’s taking its toll, the colder conditions and the 24/7 stress of match racing across the Atlantic. “Their faces are tired and their eyes, struggling to stay open. They do their watches, they eat, and they go to sleep.”

News from the boys

“A 500 miles speed test” (Thomas Rouxel)

“We can expect anything from the arrival in Lisbon, including a restart in the bay” (Charles Caudrelier)

“The manoeuvre to change to the J1 is not what you want to do in the middle of the night” (Martin Strömberg)

“This is the last day and we are all very excited. The rivals are not far away (from us), we are making every effort to make to boat go faster. Hope we have a chance to pass them at the end.” (Horace)

From Yann:

The last straight line

The guys aren’t really chatty this morning. Their faces are tired and their eyes, struggling to stay open. They do their watches, they eat, and they go to sleep.

It’s that the night has been violent, you see. Lots of reef taken in and out and, most importantly, a sail change from the Fractional to the J1. In the middle of the night, on the foredeck of a boat launched at full speed, heeled to 30 degrees and covered by the waves, changing the foresail for the J1 is not what you would spontaneously choose to do.

A contrast with the other days of this transatlantic crossing that has been rather easy in terms of condition.

Meanwhile, our 500-mile speed test continues. With roughly 350 miles ahead of us. Onboard Dongfeng, we’re talking degrees, true wind angle and azimuth. No more room for comments about the Top 14, the Champion League or the old Figaro sailing souvenirs.

The finish is the unknown. We’ve got to expect everything, including a restart in a wind hole or a coastal race in Lisbon bay. But that’s for tomorrow.

Have a nice day,
Yann

Leg seven: Newport to Lisbon (2,800nm)
Days at sea: Nine
Distance to finish: 286nm
Position in fleet: Third, 9.6nm behind leaders Brunel
Boat speed: 20 knots