Volvo Ocean Race - The Indian Ocean spares no one!

by Stefan Coppers, Team Brunel on 22 Nov 2014 Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. Stefan Coppers reports on day three of Leg 2 for Team Brunel.

Position: Fourth - Distance to Abu Dhabi: 4726

The Indian Ocean spares no one! The wind is blowing up to 28 knots from the southwest and the speedometer displays 24 knots. We're in the Agulhas current, which flows at a speed up to five knots right up against the westerly winds. The sea is therefore incredibly rough. The waves are over three meters tall. We are fourth in the middle of the fleet, only five miles behind the leader. On board the men living according to their daily sailing-pattern again: eating, sleeping and sailing.

Laurent Pagès is focused behind the wheel and drives the Volvo Ocean Race boat like a surfboard through the waves. Cooking is practically impossible in these conditions. The nose of Team Brunel frequently smashes into huge waves. It feels like suddenly hitting the brake in your car on a highway every couple of minutes. Liters of wild foamy water flow through the cockpit. A few seconds later, the speed is back to 20 knots again until we hit the next wave.

Lifelines are a must in these circumstances. The guys on the bow find it hard to stand up, as the hull cuts through these walls of water. Also inside the boot everything is wet. But this is what we signed-up for! On deck I see four smiling sailors, taming the 65 foot long carbon boat. And below deck there are four happy sailors sleeping in their bunk.

The only person that is not so happy is me. The seasickness ghost has seized me yet again. With a pale face I’m behind my laptop now. The content of my stomach has been donated to the ocean three times today. Hopefully the Great White Sharks here enjoy their extra liquid dinner. Time to sleep now, see you Team Brunel Website