Volvo Ocean Race – The Doldrums outside the Doldrums

Team SCA - Elodie Mettraux and Dee Caffari on deck preparing for the fight - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 Anna-Lena Elled/Team SCA

Position report at 0700 UTC - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com

But while the five first boats parked up 155nm east of the Vanuatu Island, Team SCA has been making fantastic gains.

Team SCA - Stacking the sails when the wind drops - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Anna-Lena Elled/Team SCA

From 0040 to 0340 UTC the Swedish team gained 20nm. They sailed to the west to avoid these light spots, going from being the most easterly to being the most westerly boat.

Team SCA - Annie Lush in traditional Doldrums clothing - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Anna-Lena Elled/Team SCA

Still in fifth place after struggling in the east yesterday, Team Brunel has also made good progress and gained 3nm by 0340 UTC. They are now only 7nm behind Team Alvimedica.

Team Brunel - A wave pours over the deck - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Stefan Coppers/Team Brunel

Team Alvimedica - Out of the doldrums,the pace quickens for the fleet on the race south to a light-wind trough of low pressure and the Vanuatu wind shadow. Watch Captain Ryan Houston - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica

Team Alvimedica - Out of the doldrums,the pace quickens for the fleet on the race south to a light-wind trough of low pressure and the Vanuatu wind shadow. Alberto Bolzan turns from the incoming wave - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica

'The teams that can cross this light patch quickly will have a good chance at consolidating their position as they reach the easterly trades and fast reach the rest of the way towards the top of New Zealand’, blogged Abu Dhabi’s Onboard Reporter Matt Knighton this morning.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - Roberto Bermudez 'Chuny' eyeballs the sail or the conversation - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - Justin Slattery does his best photographer impression in the South Pacific at dusk - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

This could be in fact the last chance for the fleet to use a weather system to their advantage before reaching Auckland at the end of the week. Once escaping this light area, the wind looks reasonably consistent until the finish line, so whoever escapes first will be in a nice position.

'Lumpy seas, cloudy skies, and rain signal the convergence zone we’re starting to enter,' added Matt. 'The wind has died from 25 knots yesterday to only 10 knots this morning. Still we’re making good progress and hope that it won’t shut down completely.

'Very hot onboard – you’re sweating even when laying in your bunk with the fan turned on.'

Team MAPFRE - Andre Fonseca watching Dongfeng while MAPFRE make an overtake - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Francisco Vignale/Mapfre/Volvo Ocean Race

Dongfeng Race Team - Eric Peron and his bathtub hands - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 © Sam Greenfield/Dongfeng Race Team/Volvo Ocean Race

Leader: DFRT
Wind speed: 6-8 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 7-9 knots
Wind direction: 309º - 333º
Lowest boat speed: DFRT, ADOR (4 knots)
Highest boat speed: SCA (8 knots)
Lowest wind speed: DFRT, ALVI, TBRU (6 knots)
Highest wind speed: MAPF (8 knots)

Position report list