Volvo Ocean Race - Dongfeng Race Team optimistic

by Dongfeng Race Team on 21 Feb 2015 Volvo Ocean Race – For the first time since the race began four months ago, Dongfeng Race Team found themselves well and truly at the back of the fleet. The most recent video from the boat saw the usually calm skipper, Charles Caudrelier, smash the helm in uncontrollable anger as the team encountered technical problems beyond his control.

We know all too well that at the front of the fleet it’s tough to push harder but we’ve discovered when you’re at the back, it becomes hard to push at all.

'It’s been a long trip because dad took a wrong turn. Then we got a flat. The radiator overheated and now we’re praying Mum will do something miraculous. Like calm Dad down.' – Onboard Reporter, Sam Greenfield.

Sam’s amusing approach to the past week onboard might make you smile but the reality is the stress levels onboard Dongfeng have been running high. Dealing with the reality of being at the back of the fleet was tough, especially after leaving Sanya on such a high. 'We all knew the euphoria of Sanya wasn’t going to last,' says Team Director, Bruno Dubois. 'Or at least the more experienced among us did.'

That’s not to say we expected to be at the back of the fleet. Far from it.

The team currently has to contend with a broken J1 locking system but also a broken mast track again. Someone in our team asked: 'Why is it always us, why do we always suffer the breakages?' It’s a fair question, it does appear like it’s always us but it’s not. The other teams have had their own breakages, it is very much part of this mechanical sport as the teams push their machines to the limits. The only difference is that not all the teams are ready to communicate about it. 'We cannot blame everything on the breakages,' says an exhausted Kevin Escoffier, 'our positioning is also due to navigational decisions.'

Charles explained: 'I am frustrated. The consequences have been disastrous for us. These mistakes have cost us a lot of miles and since the breakages it’s been hard to get back into our rhythm. We are handicapped but we have no choice but to live with it until Auckland.'

However, as the Equator approaches the team hopes the Doldrums will be the restart they need to give them the chance they deserve to get back in the game.

As we’re finishing this release the Doldrums have started to play their hand and Dongfeng Race Team are back in the same waters at Team SCA and MAPFRE and in ‘distance to go’ terms, Team Alvimedica.

For now though, it’s a waiting game.