Volvo Ocean Race- Donfeng set to create a piece of sailing history
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com on 26 Jan 2015
January, 2015. Leg 3 onboard Dongfeng Race Team. Pascal Bidgorry watches as the sunsets in the South China Sea Sam Greenfield / Volvo Ocean Race
The Chinese entry Dong looks set to create sailing sailing history when she finishes first on Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race, Sanya in two days time.
Currently Dongfeng is 250 nm to the finish line in Sanya and the chasing pack led by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing lies in second place 55+ nm behind the Chinese team.
Earlier the fleet had stood off the Vietnam coast with Dongfeng was the first to tack back onto a direct course for Sanya at at 0958 UTC. Team Alvimedica followed over four hours later followed by the rest of the six boat fleet.
A lot farther north are the Paracel Islands, currently 100 nm away, with some notorious reefs. The fleet will probably leave the islands starboard side.
Once the teams are 100 nm from the finish they will have pass this transition area. From there more stable wind is expected right up to the finish.
Closer to the finish line, one last hurdle may appear - there is currently an area of light wind pushing out on the finish.
Despite some frights on the leaderboard, Dongfeng has sailed a very solid tactical race on Leg 3, and on Tuesday Chinese eyes should be smiling.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/131015
