Volvo Ocean Race - Fleet is now inside the Bermuda Triangle

by Volvo Ocean Race on 4 May 2015 Volvo Ocean Race - All of the teams have crossed through the transition from a southwest breeze to a northeast one and are now sailing upwind around the Bermudan high-pressure system in a solid breeze.

As the boats battled with the light airs of the transition zone, there was a stretching of the fleet once more. Those who broke through first extended away. Team Brunel and Dongfeng Race Team have a healthy lead over Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, who in turn is sitting about 18 nautical miles ahead of MAPFRE and the home team, Team Alvimedica.

The Spaniards and the Americans have been tussling in a close battle of their own. Over the last 12 hours, they have not been separated by more than 4nm. Right now, MAPFRE sits just ahead and to leeward of Team Alvimedica at a range of less than 1nm.

All the teams have now passed the magic 1,000nm point to the Leg six finish. They’re all looking forward to arriving in Newport, however, the change of temperature is forcing some into their thermals already.

They’re also inside the famous “Bermuda Triangle” and as you’ll see in the footage from the boats today, there are some strange things happening onboard…

Leader: DFRT
Wind speed: 14 - 16 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 15 – 19 knots
Wind direction: 065º - 072º
Lowest boat speed: MAPFRE (14.9 knots)
Highest boat speed: SCA (18.7 knots)
Lowest wind speed: ALVI (14.6 knots)
Highest wind speed: DFRT (16.6 knots)

 

Position report at: 04 May 03:40 UTC / Updated 3 hourly	DTL (NM)	GAIN/LOSS (NM)	DTF (NM)	Speed (kt)
Dongfeng Race Team	0.0	0.0	930	14.9
Team Brunel	6.7	2.5	936	14
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	14.0	0.3	944	15.3
MAPFRE	29.3	1.1	959	14.5
Team Alvimedica	30.4	1.7	960	14.8
Team SCA	76.4	0.9	1006	14.9
Team Vestas Wind	DID NOT START