Volvo Ocean Race - Backing off a little
by Volvo Ocean Race on 3 Apr 2015
Onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, second boat of the Volvo Ocean 65 fleetaround Cape Horn - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
http://www.volvooceanrace.com
The fleet has survived the kicking they got last night, only to wake up to a much calmer picture. The issue was an extremely strong wind set against an opposite current flow of two knots. This kicked up a short aggressive wave that definitely claimed the title of potentially boat breaking conditions.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing was the first to report backing off a little in the name of boat survival. This leg is far from over but without the unfortunate Dongfeng Race Team breathing down their necks, it’s imperative that they finish the leg; it’s not essential that they win it.
It’s still too soon to take their foot off the pedal as there are still plenty of points to score or lose before we can see an overall winner. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's mantra has always been to claim a podium place and not to be greedy hunting the win every leg.
Finally the wind dropped and shifted right 90º from north-west to north east. With this shift came a large light patch dropping off to only 5 knots and less in some spots.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing was most affected but the lack of wind, losing their lead to Alvimedica slightly further east. Mapfre to the far west were the first to then catch the new wind making some small gains before the breeze filled in across the fleet.
Team Brunel took advantage of this compression, closing the fleet up again to within 12 miles, in effect, another restart for the leaders.
On the subject of restart, Dongfeng will start their long 1,910 nm motor-sail from Ushuaia to Itajai, leaving tonight and navigating up the Beagle Channel out into the Atlantic Ocean.
They estimate it will take 10 to 12 days. They have beefed up their jury rig with a new metal spreader that they have had fabricated in town and even utilised a borrowed sail from another boat.
They have filled the forward tank with 1,200 liters of gasoline as an insurance policy in case the mast and jury rig fails and they have to motor all the way.
Team SCA continue to make gains as they are now power reaching north east in 30 knots but in comfortable condition then the leaders had. They will be pleased to be making good progress after such trying times back in the latter stages of the Southern Ocean.
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