Volvo Ocean Race - Team Brunel still within striking distance

by Team Brunel on 18 Oct 2014 We sail close to the coast of Africa just after five in the afternoon in the Volvo Ocean Race. The sun is already low and about five miles to port are the endless sandy plains of the sizzling hot Western Sahara. Together with the other six ships we sail incredibly close to each other. After five days we are still within striking distance.

Out of nowhere a small boat appears on the horizon. Pirates! It’s the first thing that comes to mind. This is the scenario which the Volvo Ocean Race organization has warned us so extensively for? The grey rib speeds at a frightening pace towards our stern. On board there are eight men dressed in military gear. One of them bends over to pick up something of the floor. I can feel the warm streams of sweat trickling down my spine. I prepare for the worst scenario.

To my relief, the man emerges no rocket launcher or Kalashnikov, but a remarkably large Spanish flag of the floor. The pirates appear to be Spanish navy men from a nearby navy vessel. The red-yellow-red flag waves proudly in the wind and their combat equipment consists only of a camera with which they wants to capture the Volvo Ocean Race fleet.

'Guys, tell them that Team Vestas Wind has illegal substances on board,' jokes Andrew Cape. A loud laughter sounds through the cockpit. After fifteen minutes, the rib slows down and the men wave Team Brunel goodbye. Our own Spaniard Pablo Arrarte is smiling and waving his fellow countrymen goodbye. As I descend a little later in my office the adrenaline still running through my body. For now my fear of pirates will still Team Brunel website