Volvo Ocean Race - Proud and happy Dongfeng in Cape Town

by Yann Riou on 6 Nov 2014 Dongfeng Race Team's OBR Yann Riou reports from Cape Town where the crew came in second in Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Leg 1 Alicante to Cape Town: (6,487nm, although many more miles raced)
Finish position: Second, behind leg winner and pre-race favourites Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
Time of finish: 15:22:48 UTC (12m 4s behind leg winner Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing)
Duration of leg: 25d 3h 22m
Distance sailed: 8,363nm
Best 24 hour run: Dongfeng 541nm at 1440 UTC 3.11.14 (provisional)

A tense wait in Cape Town as the final moments of Leg 1 played out and then the overriding emotion of pride as the determined men of Dongfeng crossed the finish line in second. Exceeding expectations the Dongfeng crew shared their joy and emotion with loved ones and the shore team.

Dockside: A proud mother discovering the sport of offshore sailing as her son Yang Jiru (Wolf) sails around the word representing China.

On the water: The proud members of the Dongfeng Race Team shore team watching the result of 10 months relentless hard work.

Onboard: A proud Skipper who has fought for 10 months and 25 days non-stop to become a respected contender in the Volvo Ocean Race.

A distant memory: It’s worth noting that it was three years ago today Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing dismasted 24 hours after the start of the Volvo Ocean Race. Today they won Leg 1 after a five day battle with us.

Observing: And finally, watching from afar, a very small group of people who’s ambition is to bring offshore sailing to China.

The Quotes:

Charles Caudrelier, Dongfeng Race Team Skipper: ‘The other teams are very good, it will be hard to be on the podium every leg’

‘It has been a fight. It’s tough. But we are here to write the story of Chinese sailing’

‘I can see there is a huge potential for Chinese to change the game in the future!’

‘We have finished second. It is very fantastic for the Chinese people and the Chinese sailors … I am very proud of what we have done’

Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO: ‘25% of that crew is Chinese and 25% of them had never gone across an ocean six months ago. I don’t think they even spoke English and here they are, coming in second place just twenty minutes after the winner in Leg 1 and that is not an easy feat. It is unbelievable and I think it is one of the biggest achievements of sailing this year’

‘The way Charles is leading the team is super impressive and the way he is taking on this challenge. Not many other sailors in his league would have taken this challenge and then done so well with it, it is super impressive!

’[In China] I hope it has inspire people to follow the race, do the race or start sailing. If you can inspire 10,000 people to start following this every day then we have done a lot!’

Chen Jin Hao (Horace): ‘It’s the happiest moment in my life! We are finally back on shore!!’

‘It’s my first Volvo Ocean Race. It felt like roller coaster when the wind was strong and the waves were high. We worked very hard and we were the first, then something unexpected happened but we never gave up. We worked as team to solve the problem.’

- It’s the toughest race in my life so far. I didn’t sleep well, eat well or even take a shower for almost a month, nothing is easy on the boat. But I’m happy to be part of this.

‘Horace phoned his grandmother: 'Grandma, I arrived in Cape Town and I’m back on shore! We did a good job, we got second place. I’m all good, don’t worry about me. Take good care of yourself. I miss you.’

‘Sometimes I had the feeling that why it takes so long, but then I tell myself it won’t be too long, Cape Town is just over there and we are getting closer and closer’

‘It’s the first time I spent almost a month on the sea, therefore the first time I’m not able to have shower for such a long time.’

‘It was really touching when I watched the surprise video done by the team, family and friends, I was in tears when I saw my grandparents on the screen but I ‘forced’ myself not to cry. I really appreciate what the shore team have done for us, appreciate the support my family and friends. That’s the best video I have ever watched in my life.’

Yang Jiru (Wolf): ‘It’s 25 days, I kept calculating these days. We are back on shore with the second place, I’m proud of what we have done.’

‘The first three days were the most difficult days. We are using one-design boat for this Volvo Ocean Race so it’s not that easy for any of the boats to lead the fleet with a very long distance. We worked really hard and I didn’t sleep for longer than two hours in the first few days.’

‘I don’t really know how many minutes is Abu Dhabi Ocean Race ahead of us, but it’s incredible that we are so close to them.’

‘I’m really happy when I saw my mother is standing on the pontoon and waiting for me, I missed her a lot. I never told her how tough/difficult it is, but when I heard she saying ‘I know it’s not easy for you, it’s really tough’, it made me in tears. I never told her about it, but she knows everything.’

‘My suggestion for the Chinese sailor who’s going to sail the next leg? He better take enough instant noodle or Chinese snack with him! That’s how we survived!’

Eric Peron: ‘I learnt a few Chinese words on the boat, I learnt how to say hello in Chinese, how to say Horace’s Chinese name, I start to understand more and more, and I also learnt a really useful one, which is how to say ‘you are beautiful’ in Chinese, could be useful (laugh). I enjoy working with Horace and Wolf. They are really good sailors, really motivated.’

Dongfeng Race Team