Volvo Ocean Race - Team Alvimedica, somewhere in the windless ITCZ

by Amory Ross on 23 Oct 2014 Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. Onboard Team Alvimedica. The synopsis is pretty straightforward: we are stuck in the Doldrums. Stuck, and stuck real good.

All things considered, yesterday was actually pretty decent. We had a quick morning rainsquall that was able to power us south through the first line of ITCZ clouds already towering above our heads by 10AM. As we made slow and steady progress south the billowing masses of energy grew everywhere around us and in the distance, but we continued under relatively clear skies. I guess at the time that seemed safe, but safe isn’t fast and we got smashed by the 7PM sched. We lost miles to everyone and in some cases in a good chunk.

Ryan Houston - 'The Doldrums are following us.'

The reality is that it could have been worse. We think we’ve done everything possible--played the cards we were dealt with relative success. But you know before coming in here, to the Doldrums, that you’re kind of at its mercy and unfortunately it’s not being kind.

So again we drift in darkness without a ripple on the water--sails aimlessly smacking against the rig. But tonight it’s a little less amusing, the shudder of slow progress a little stronger and the noises a little louder. At least the clouds are back. Their rainy flanks, wet as they may be, offer precious wind and so it’s back to the radar screen in search of a way Team Alvimedica website