Volvo Ocean Race - Less than 500 miles to go

by Dongfeng Race Team on 24 Jan 2015 The world is watching. Can Dongfeng Race Team hold onto their 57 nautical miles lead to China for what will essentially be the ultimate home victory? Or will another team get desperate and make a bold decision that could cost Dongfeng their win?

Remember, with 500 miles to go anything can happen.

'I’ve never been so stressed in my whole life,' said Charles Caudrelier. That was over 36 hours ago. Since, the team have exited the complexities of the Straits and have been heading upwind in a relatively straight line towards the Vietnamese coast. 'Beating upwind in the South China Sea means that there’s plenty of waves, plenty of swell, and plenty of ocean to sail in,' reports Volvo Ocean Race’s Jonathan Turner.

Although the upwind conditions mean the boat is literally bouncing up and down, it’s a pleasure for the team to be finally sailing without having to tack (change direction – every time having to shift 1000’s of kilos from one side of the boat to another!)

However unfortunately for the determined men of Dongfeng the peace of straight-line sailing is almost over: 'We will be tacking every thirty minutes to one hour,' says Charles into the loudspeaker for all on deck to hear.

We’re progressively getting closer to the Vietnamese coast, upwind. For 36 hours we’ve been sailing on the same tack and it feels good. It’s the first time since the start of this race that we can rest our minds at the chart table, at least short term. There is nothing to think about – it’s straight ahead. Choices are made and everyone has picked a position. The game now is simply to sail faster than our mates, and we’re not doing too bad.

But it’s hard work on deck, the wind is very shifty, the sea state is a mess and it’s proper teamwork. We’re three on deck – a helmsman who speaks about his sensations at the helm to his main sail and foresail trimmers, and a wincher who grinds for them. Downstairs, the Moscow eye – Pascal or myself – is in front of the computer looking at numbers, wind angle, boat speed, and the percentage of speed of our boat compared to its best performances (that’s what we call a polar speed). We help adjust them their boat handling. We’re very critical. Too slow, not high enough.

Sometimes we go take the helm ourselves and we’re much more tolerant about performance.

I forgot to speak about two key events onboard. Two birthdays – Pascal’s one on the 15, but I won’t say his age out of friendship. And Jack’s one, 24 – one year off Pascal’s half-life.

Pascal asked a lead equal to his age no luck; we were only four miles in the lead. With all these tips and if you’re smart, you can guess his age.

I think Jack is fulfilled – at 24, he’s making one of his dreams come true. He’s taking part to the Volvo Ocean Race. Jack was one of our shore crew. We quickly noticed his wanted to sail, was skilled and fit. Australian, he moved to the UK to sail, far away from his family. His story, his determination and motivation impressed us and we trusted him without having sailed much with him.

Onboard, he proved us we were right.

The subtext is clear. Get some damn sleep cause you won’t be getting any soon.

[18th Jan 2015] As Dongfeng head into the madness of the Malacca Straits, sailor Jack Bouttell celebrates his 24th birthday and claims he 'wouldn't have it any other way.'

[19th Jan 2015] As each Volvo Ocean Race team chooses its line of attack for Malacca Madness, Dongfeng manages to extend its lead out to over 100 miles - the question is will it be a big enough margin to help them through ahead of the chasing teams?

[20th Jan 2015] A nightmare. Still in the lead but almost too painful to watch as 36 hours after entering the Strait of Malacca Dongfeng lost more than 70nm to the rest of the fleet. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing now just 16nm behind.

[21st Jan 2015] With the rest of the fleet parked up overnight, the wind Gods return for Dongfeng and they extend their lead to 80+ miles again (for now!)

[22nd Jan 2015] All hands on deck as the crew suffer damage as the tack line of an important sail (J1) broke suddenly sending the 132 m² sail shooting up the forestay in a matter of seconds.

[23rd Jan 2015] Dongfeng has been making some small but noticeable gains. Sam Greenfield captures Chinese sailor Liu Xue on camera as he talks about arriving in Sanya.

[24th Jan 2015] The world is watching. Can Dongfeng Race Team hold onto their 57 nautical miles lead to China for what will essentially be the ultimate home victory? Or will another team get desperate and make a bold decision that could cost Dongfeng thei.