Volvo Ocean Race – The fleet to deal with the doldrums

by Volvo Ocean Race on 27 Apr 2015 Volvo Ocean Race – The fleet has slightly converged in the past 12 hours as they approach the corner of the South American continent, where the Brazilian coast sketches a right angle at the end of the most easterly littoral of Brazil.

At Cape Calcanhar, located 40 nm north of the city of Natal, there is a lighthouse of 62 meters height that is the tallest in Brazil.

Dongfeng Race Team will approach this point holding an 8.1 nm lead on MAPFRE, who are just half of mile ahead of Team Brunel. 10 nm behind the lead back is Team SCA, currently the most easterly of the six boats, out of the trail of the pack.

Also, 10 nm off the leading group is Team Alvimedica, only 0.5 nm miles ahead of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

Once the fleet has passed the shoulder of the continent, they will take up their positions to deal with the doldrums. The good news is that at the moment the routing is showing no big drama to deal with the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

The fleet will be crossing the Equator around Tuesday noon.

Leader: DFRT
Wind speed: 14 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 14.8 knots
Wind direction: 106º - 112º
Lowest boat speed: MAPF (14.8 knots)
Highest boat speed: DFRT (15.7 knots)
Lowest wind speed: SCA (12.4 knots)
Highest wind speed: MAPF (15.2 knots)

Position report at: 27 Apr 03:40 UTC / Updated 3 hourly		DTL (NM)	GAIN/LOSS (NM)	DTF (NM)	Speed (kt)
	Dongfeng Race Team	0.0	0.0	3459.6	15.7
	MAPFRE	8.1	2.9	3467.7	14.8
	Team Brunel	8.6	3.8	3468.2	14.5
	Team SCA	18.9	2.7	3478.5	14.9
	Team Alvimedica	19.4	3.7	3479.0	15.1
	Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	19.8	2.5	3479.4	15.3
	Team Vestas Wind	DID NOT START