Volvo Ocean Race Leg 3 - Entering the Malacca Strait

by Volvo Ocean Race on 18 Jan 2015 The Volvo Ocean Race Leg Three leader Dongfeng has rounded the waypoint of Pulau Weh at 0340 UTC and has now entered the waters of the Malacca Strait, between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Ahead, they will have 434 nm of sailing in this narrow stretch of water.

During the night, Dongfeng’s approach to the northernmost point of Sumatra consisted of 13 to 18 knots of breeze from 70º north until it started to shift at around 2300 UTC up to 114º northeast.

At 0430 UTC they finally tacked east towards the gates of the straight. Currently sailing on port tack at 10+ knots and breeze on the nose on a range from 15 to 18 knots. The Chinese are still on a solid lead of 70 nm on the MAPFRE.

The Spaniards are keeping the pace and feeling strong in second place. As they make their way to the waypoint of Pulau Weh less than 60 nm away, the boys led by Xabi Fernández have been sailing smart, always covering Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel.

The three boats can follow each other on AIS so there is little margin for mistakes. MAPFRE has ADOR 6 nm away on their stern and Team Brunel almost 8 nm on starboard.

Team Alvimedica is the farthest south, less than 10 nm to TBNL starboard. Team SCA in sixth position is the farthest west 30 nm to Team Alvimedica. The Swedish team has made good progress during the night cutting 12 nm on the guys ahead.

The rest of the fleet is expected to enter the Malacca Strait within 6 hours.

Matt Knighton, Onboard Reporter on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, says: 'Brunel and MAPFRE have been on our horizon for the past couple of days – well within AIS range. Given that we’re tied with Brunel for points, they have our attention right now as we’re tacking around the tip of Sumatra. As Ian said, 'Let the AIS frenzy begin!' Our aim is to enter the Straights of Malacca ahead of them and try to keep our separation as we enter the South China Sea.'

Meanwhile, Team Alvimedica's Onboard Reporter Amory Ross is feeling positive as his team approaches the Strait. 'We’re making good progress sailing upwind in about 20 knots. An upwind approach is less than ideal as it means we’ll have a few more tacks to complete on the way up the Indonesian coast, but after the last week without wind we’re excited to be moving in any direction at all.'

And Team SCA's OBR Corinna Halloran writes: 'It wasn’t until later in the day when the breeze began to ramp up and we were sailing full up-wind mode, which isn’t exactly the most comfortable point of sail. Down below it’s a bit of a challenge to walk around—we’re back living at 30 degrees of heel.'


Leader: DFRT
Wind Speed: 14-17 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins):10-11 knots
Wind direction: 53º - 60º
Lowest boat speed: DFRT, SCA, TBRU, ADOR, MAPF (10 knots)
Highest boat speed: ALVI (11 knots)
Lowest wind speed: TBRU (14 knots)
Highest wind speed: ALVI (17 knots)