Please select your home edition
Edition
Rick Dodson - 2 - 140623

The B&G Report - Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 6 Week 1 Review

by Mark Chisnell on 23 Apr 2015
Onboard Team SCA – Sophie Ciszek, Justine Mettraux, Carolijn Brouwer, and Dee Caffarri on deck shortly before the sunsets - Leg six to Newport – Volvo Ocean Race 2015 Corinna Halloran / Team SCA
Top Volvo Ocean Race correspondent, navigator and sailing analyst, Mark Chisnell writes a regular report for B&G on the current race and trends he sees developing. This week he looks back at the first week of Leg 6.

Leg 6 Report 1 – Newport Bound

It was a slow start to Leg 6, as the teams got underway from Itajai, Brazil for their journey back into the northern hemisphere and the finish at Newport, Rhode Island, USA – a ‘mere’ 5,010 miles away.

It was so light at the start time that overall leaders Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing were caught on the wrong side of the line, and had to go back. Fortunately, no one else was going anywhere in a hurry and they were soon back in the mix. After an hour of drifting, the race officials eventually shortened the inshore section of the course, and released the fleet to head for the USA, once they got to the first mark.

We predicted a light wind start last week with the South Atlantic High centred on roughly the same latitude as Itajai, about two thirds of the way across to Cape Town. It was forecast to provide a light north to north-easterly headwind from the western quadrant of the high (remember in the southern hemisphere the wind rotates anti-clockwise around a high), and so it turned out.

For the rest of this review click here

RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERRick Dodson - 4 140623Mackay Boats 728x90  BOTTOM

Related Articles

Finns and French finish Ocean Globe Race
Galiana WithSecure and Evrika excape the windhole 40nm from the finish line It was a long, painfully slow final two days to complete their circumnavigation. But, finally, Galiana WithSecure FI (06) and Evrika FR (07) crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in a moody windless, moonlight Cowes arrival.
Posted on 25 Apr
No major fears for Sunday's Transat CIC start
There will be no initial gales to contend with, rather a relatively light winds start As all of the Transat CIC skippers convened this morning at Lorient's La Base for the main briefing before Sunday's start of the 3,500 miles solo race across the North Atlantic to New York, ideas about the weather are the main topic of discussion.
Posted on 25 Apr
Sister act seals Olympic spot in windsurfing
Czech Republic's Katerina and Barbora Svikova take gold and silver Czech sisters Katerina and Barbora Svikova took gold and silver in the three-rider final of the women's windsurfing competition on day five of the Last Chance Regatta in the south of France.
Posted on 25 Apr
PlanetSail Episode 8: Human Power
It's a simple question - How do you power an AC75? It's a simple question - How do you power an AC75? This time around for the third generation Cup boats the answer is different depending on whether you're talking about above or below the waterline. And this time around cycling looks set to be the answer.
Posted on 25 Apr
The must-do Rolex Middle Sea Race
The start of 45th edition is six months away Starting from Grand Harbour, Valletta, the Mediterranean's premier 600-mile classic promises much and always over delivers for participants and spectators alike.
Posted on 25 Apr
American Magic's AC75 Race Boat Uncloaked
Commissioning of B3 continues in Barcelona New York Yacht Club American Magic, Challenger for the 37th America's Cup, uncloaked its AC75 race boat, "B3," as commissioning continues in Barcelona.
Posted on 25 Apr
RS Tera Worlds 2024 already breaking records
Selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event In a record-breaking first for the International RS Tera Class, the RS Tera World Championship 2024 registration has reached maximum capacity - selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event.
Posted on 25 Apr
Lunven and Soudée on the dockside in Lorient
Preparing for a classic north Atlantic passage in the Transat CIC Once again La Base marina in Lorient, Brittany – the main home of the IMOCA fleet – is a hive of activity as 33 boats and their skippers prepare for the daunting challenge of the North Atlantic alone.
Posted on 25 Apr
Antigua Sailing Week 2024 Preview
All set to deliver sensational racing and amazing parties in a beautiful setting Antigua Sailing Week is back for the 55th edition with 13 racing classes filled to the brim with sailors from all over the world. Teams from over 20 different nations are set for the Caribbean's famous regatta.
Posted on 25 Apr
The Transat CIC: Who are the favourites?
Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) makes his comeback The start gun of the 15th edition of The Transat CIC will sound on Sunday sending a fleet of 48 skippers - 33 IMOCAs, 13 Class 40s and two vintage yachts - off on the complex, cold and mainly upwind passage across the Atlantic.
Posted on 25 Apr