Volvo Ocean Race - It’s not over until the fat lady sings

by Yann Riou on 5 Nov 2014 Yann Riou reports on Dongfeng Race Team's progress in the Volvo Ocean Race.

It would appear that after last night’s gybe, the window of opportunity to overtake Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing has passed in strategy terms, as they’re straight lining it to the finish. Assuming the leaders can all sail at 100%, and there are no breakages, it is now the local effects on the finishing line in Cape Town that will become the biggest factor deciding who will win leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Nobody could have ever imagined how close it would be and with Dongfeng now in sight of Abu Dhabi after a 24-day leg, we all know it’s not over until the fat lady sings. Naturally, as the positioning stands (Dongfeng just behind Abu Dhabi) Ian Walker and his team will just match any move from behind. In one design they have no reason to lose now - but as Charles Caudrelier says in today’s blog… 'The pressure is on them.'

Violent.

That’s the best adjective to describe the last three days. Reaching with the hound gennaker up, in 25-30 knots of wind. In other words, it means that you’re sailing fast, that it’s crashing, that there are tons of water on deck, and that, onboard some boats, including our, you sail on the side, very heeled.

On deck, you spend your time taking tons of water in the face. The helmsman may enjoy it. The other crew, not so much. Inside the boat, you’re looking for your balance – to no avail. You don’t see the waves coming so you cannot anticipate it. The heeling angle quickly becomes unbearable. To walk across the boat, you’re facing a mobile climbing wall.

Three days like this and you’re knocked out.

Fascinating.

Our battle with our closer competitors. It looks like we’ve distanced Brunel and Vestas slightly, but let’s be cautious. A lot of things can still happen. And about ADOR, tonight’s gybe could be key, and determine if we’ll still be able to disturb them.

'The pressure is on their shoulders,' says Charles. 'We are in second position despite our technical problems and we don’t have much to lose.'

Worrying.

Our technical problems are due to a piece that shouldn’t have broke. It’s worrying, especially since we gybed, because the same piece is used on the port side. Meanwhile, the necessary DIY has been done to use the starboard wheel and stack our sails on temporary stanchions. Except the time we lost in the incident, it shouldn’t impact our performance too much.

Exasperating.

In a couple of hours, I managed to break a camera, and the computer I use to edit videos. It’s time to finish this first leg.

Have a good Dongfeng Race Team website