Volvo Ocean Race - Fleet rounded the ice limit mark

by Volvo Ocean Race on 22 May 2015 Volvo Ocean Race - The fleet rounded the ice limit (IL) mark 4 around 2020 UTC with Team Brunel in the lead followed by the rest of the boat within 2.5 miles, except Team SCA 10 miles behind the leaders.

With the next waypoint being in Cascais, Portugal, and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing positioned farther south of the other boats, the Emiratis took the lead by the release of the 0100 UTC report.

It is indeed a very short lead. The distance from first to last has compressed four miles and the first five teams are within 1.4 miles, all within sight of each other.

With these numbers, I feel I’m just describing an in-port race! Options ahead are not clear.

Today they will have to take a decision on how to deal with the Azores High. Most of the models show that heading north of the high is going to pay, but they also have the option to go south, which means sailing less miles, but in lighter wind.

Leader: ADOR
Wind speed: 15.6 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 14.8 knots
Wind direction: 187º - 193º
Lowest boat speed: ADOR (12.9 knots)
Highest boat speed: TSCA (13.4 knots)
Lowest wind speed: ADOR, TBRU (13.3 knots)
Highest wind speed: MAPF (14.9 knots)