Volvo Ocean Race – Close game at the head of the fleet

by Volvo Ocean Race on 29 Apr 2015 Volvo Ocean Race – The game at the head of the fleet is pretty close. The teams have been playing the clouds, trying to sail the edges and not getting caught in the middle.

Team Brunel is still in the lead by only 0.5 nautical miles. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing worked its way from fourth to second during the night, closing the 8.5nm gap they had at 1900 UTC.

Around 2000 UTC, Ian Walker’s crew changed their heading and sailed windward of Team Brunel, positioning themselves as the most northeasterly boat of the fleet until 0400 UTC when this position was taken by MAPFRE.

Ian's Onboard Reporter Matt Knighton sums it up in his daily blog:
'We’re sitting several miles to windward of the fleet to cover any moves that Dongfeng makes as to which route it chooses to take towards Newport. Being here we can easily cover them downwind if they decide to go low but it’ll be hard for them to get north if the modeling wants us to take the other route. It’s nice to be back within a hair of fighting for the lead!'

Being positioned in the centre of the fleet, the Spaniards on MAPFRE sailed northeast until they became the ones defending the right side. On the other hand, Team SCA did the opposite, sailing across from the right to the left side. The all-female crew is the most southerly boat now, nine nm behind Team Alvimedica who took fifth by 0100 UTC.

Average boat speeds have been in the 16-21 knot range in the last 12 hours and average wind speeds from 14 to 23 knots, the Emiratis having the most wind between 1900 and 2200 UTC when they gained 6.3nm.

Weather conditions are expected to remain stable during the day.

Leader: TBRU
Wind speed: 18.8 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 19.9 knots
Wind direction: 48º - 54º
Lowest boat speed: MAPF (17.2 knots)
Highest boat speed: TBRU (19.5 knots)
Lowest wind speed: SCA (16.3 knots)
Highest wind speed: MAPF (20.9 knots)

Position report list