sail-world.com -- Volvo Ocean Race: Camper suspends racing and begins motoring + Video
Volvo Ocean Race: Camper suspends racing and begins motoring + Video
Tue, 3 Apr 2012
Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand has officially suspended racing in Leg Five of the Volvo Ocean Race and began the 180 nautical mile trip up the fjord to Puerto Montt.
Camper suspended racing at just past 1400h NZT, near the southern entrance of the fjord and under race rules must return to this point when racing is resumed after the repair is completed.
The crew has remained sailing for the time being but are expected to begin motoring shortly. The current estimated time of arrival for Camper into Puerto Montt is tomorrow afternoon NZT.
Skipper Chris Nicholson says that there is an air of anticipation amongst the crew as they near the pit stop.
'We’ve had enough of delivery mode and we want to get the boat fixed and get back racing. Suspending racing means that we’re one step closer to doing that. We’ve still got a bit of motoring in front of us, but we’re definitely close now to getting this short and sweet pit stop under way.
'Despite the underlying disappointment of the situation we find ourselves in, there is also a real sense of excitement at being able to briefly visit and recharge ourselves in this stunning part of the world.
With Camper now less than 24 hours away the shore crew of six who are on site in Puerto Montt are ready to swing in action says Shore Manager Neil Cox.
'Our workshop and storage areas are set-up and ready to go, and all the materials, parts and tools that we need have arrived. The support and help from the locals and expat Kiwis here has been just incredible and means that we’re in great shape.
'Our first priority is to give the boat a complete ultrasound survey to check for any hidden problems that may not have been picked up on. After that we’ll get into in the actual repair job. The process involves turning all of Rob Salthouse's great work into dust, marking out where the replacement structure will align back into the boat, and then physically fitting in the replacement parts and bonding them to the boat.
'We are hoping we can get this all done in three days, and will also want to fire some heat into the boat for up to eight hours to help with any post curing that we can get done.
'It’s going to be a busy few days but we’re confident we can do it and get the boys back racing to Brazil.'
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