Barcelona World Race – We Are Water shelter from tough conditions

by Barcelona World Race on 6 Mar 2011 Barcelona World Race - We Are Water have been encountering very tough conditions at the entrance to Cook Strait and after going downwind for while last night, seeking respite from the strong southerlies – over 50kts and big waves with breaking crests – Jaume Mumbru and Cali Sanmarti have sought some shelter in the confines of Hardy South Arm, which is an inlet on Durville Island to the west of the entrance to the strait.

At the front of the fleet it is fast sailing still for Virbac-Paprec 3 who have pushed their average up over 20 knots this morning but have made back 18 miles on Mapfre overnight and are 25-30kts of SW’ly winds. There is 418 miles of E-W separation to the Spanish duo to their west.

Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez have slightly less breeze more from a NW’ly direction.

This morning Renault ZE Sailing Team have 620 miles left to Cape Horn, Neutrogena are at 750 miles, Groupe Bel 890, Mirabaud 900 and Estrella Damm at 1020 miles.

Neutrogena have been quickest of this group recently, making the best VMG in part because they are effectively spearing down the rhumb line directly to the Cape, and are fast. Mirabaud are still very much in conservative mode losing out fifth to Groupe Bel.

Hugo Boss passed the East Pacific gate last night around 0200hrs UTC and are about 300 miles ahead of Dee Caffari and Anna Corbella.

Caffari reported that their fleet broadband ‘problem’ was resolved when they gybed.

And Ludovic Aglaor and Gérard Marín on FMC posted the highest 24hr run again, making more than 100 miles ‘back’ on the Barcelona World Race website