Volvo Ocean Race - Hi Lo, Hi Lo its off to work we go
by Volvo Ocean Race on 18 Feb 2015
Leg 4 - Sanya to Auckland - Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race
http://www.volvooceanrace.com
Volvo Ocean Race - 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' or should I say, 'Happy New Year'. But the team in red who should be enjoying a Happy Chines New Year’s Day, Dongfeng, isn’t having much fun. They have fallen back as they move away from the leading fleet line in an effort to push more east and less south. Look out for more breaking news of Dongfeng’s recent fortunes.
The dilemma of hold high east or drive off south is still relevant. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing are pleased that Brunel has traded theirs off already. SCA are happy they still have some in the bag, and Dongfeng feels that they would like some more.
Even MAPFRE has climbed up off their original line and working east to join in the party with SCA. This move by the three teams will establish another high low split in the fleet. Team Alvimedica, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Brunel making up the lower group.
The wind models are now showing a right-hander starting to push in and soften. That shift will let the fleet sail a more southerly route. The predictions are showing a wind direction of 135º south east. That is a shift of 90º from its present angle.
If the fleet is still keen to go east, then they will have to tack. Remember the reason that east is so precious is that all the models are showing more wind to the east.
With the doldrums looming Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Matt Knighton comments: 'It might not be time to sleep in the bow just yet but we’re already calling dibbs on which gear bags make for the softest mattresses.
'The bottom line is unless you’ve got a lead over 100 nm headed towards the equator; anything can shake up in the light winds of the doldrums - everyone’s still in play.'
Leader: TBRU
Wind speed: 8-16 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 10-18 knots
Wind direction: 16º - 63º
Lowest boat speed: BRUN (12.6 knots)
Highest boat speed: ALVI (16.8 knots)
Lowest wind speed: TRBU (8 knots)
Highest wind speed: DFRT (16 knots)
Position report list
| YACHT |
LAT |
LON |
DATE |
DTL |
DTLC |
avgSOG(3h) |
avgSOG(15') |
TWS |
TWD |
HDG |
| TBRU |
5.71617 |
160.097 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
0 |
0 |
12.6 |
10 |
8 |
63 |
138 |
| ADOR |
6.34083 |
159.34383 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
49.2 |
8 |
14.6 |
14 |
11 |
35 |
137 |
| ALVI |
6.607 |
159.0345 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
70.1 |
12 |
16.8 |
16 |
12 |
33 |
133 |
| MAPF |
6.92433 |
159.2935 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
83.5 |
1 |
14.7 |
13 |
13 |
49 |
137 |
| SCA1 |
7.21817 |
159.27933 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
100.5 |
8 |
14.8 |
18 |
15 |
16 |
131 |
| DFRT |
7.3925 |
158.98933 |
18/02/15 06:40:00 |
115.7 |
5 |
14.6 |
16 |
16 |
42 |
135 |
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/131669
