Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15- Latest position report- October 27, 1700 UTC
by Volvo Ocean Race on 28 Oct 2014
October 26, 2014. Leg 1 onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Luke Parkinson hides behind the staysail during a sail change on-board "Azzam". Volvo Ocean Race Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 - Spread of fleet: 224 nautical miles, Wind Speed: 13-20 knots, Boat speed: 13-19 knots, Wind direction: Average 28º.
Lowest boat speed: 13 knots (Team Brunel)
Highest boat speed: 19 knots (Team Alvimedica)
Lowest wind speed: 13 knots (Team Brunel)
Highest wind speed: 20 knots (Mapfre)
The question in recent days has been 'when will the teams head east towards Cape Town?', but at around 0900 UTC this morning, the fleet leaders Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel actually gybed west, towards the Brazilian coast in order to generate more distance between themselves and the light winds of the St. Helena High.
An hour later, at around 1000 UTC, the Danish boat, Team Vestas Wind, followed suit, and at 1500 UTC, Dongfeng Race Team also replicated the gybe.
Wind speed has remained moderate, indeed, the sailors have been commenting how perfect the sailing is of late, and has been coming from a north-north easterly direction, which means that those at the front of the pack have had less wind than the chasers.
That has meant that we've seen compression in the fleet - the distance between the front few and those at the back has grown shorter, and continues to do so. Event website
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