Volvo Ocean Race - Close cover to the finish
by Volvo Ocean Race on 5 Apr 2015
Leg 5 to Itajai onboard Team Alvimedica. Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica
The fleet has under 300nm to the finish, sailing in 10 knots of wind, 10 to 12 knots of boats speed on the wind beating to Itajai. The first boat to tack and spook the herd was the Turkish-American team, Alvimedica, followed almost immediately by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Mapfre and Team Brunel quickly followed, keeping the relative positions the same.
The fleet had been slowly headed on port before tacking onto what may be their final tack on starboard.
The line left on the tracker showed the classic seagull’s wing shape, as if drawn by a kid at school, as it curves in then curves back out lifting on the new tack.
Remember, the leading four boats are all within AIS range, so not much will go unnoticed.
All boats will hold a close cover on each other, as they tick off the miles to the finish. Unlike the European wind models, the American GFS model shows a much more unstable patch of wind 20nm offshore.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will be the only ones hoping that this is not the case. All other boats will want the chance to mix things up a little.
Meanwhile, Team SCA continue to claw back the miles still missing due to the absence of that all-important FRO sail. They are now under 600nm from the leaders but in very little wind.
Out of the leg but still racing to make Itajaí in good time are Dongfeng Race Team, who find themselves now 1540 nm away, motor-sailing.
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