VOR start delayed - Action in Muscat - French sailing legend killed
by .. on 13 Mar 2015
Al quiet on the Auckland waterfront three days before the expected arrival of Cyclone Pam Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
As expected a developing super cyclone have changed the schedule for the Start of Volvo Ocean Race Leg 5.
The extreme weather system is expected to hit Auckland during Sunday afternoon and the current forecast suggest that Monday could be worst affected. Therefore it has already been decided to plan the start for Tuesday, at the earliest.
'This weather is very rare for the race, and for New Zealand. We will not start the leg until Tuesday and will look for an afternoon start or in the evening. That’s our current plan', says Race CEO Knut Frostad.
As we are dealing with a severe and extreme weather scenario the race organizer reserves the right to change the timing on any sailing, racing or event at any time that could be required. Nevertheless forecasts suggest that Saturday will be perfect sailing conditions for the In-Port race with 20 kts easterly breeze and warm sunshine.
SAP Extreme Sailing Team showcased a winning formula on day two at the Extreme Sailing Series™ in Muscat, Oman, they took four bullets out of eight races in the shifty 15 knot north-easterly breeze and lumpy two-metre swell, that put a premium on boat handling.
The Danish team displayed a quiet confidence on the water and clearly had a plan- hitting the committee boat end of the start line with precision, avoiding any engagement with the seven other Extreme 40’s and trusting the decisions of tactician Rasmus Køstner.
Contesting for the podium places in Muscat, Oman is also the two boats sailing in their home waters, The Wave and Oman Air, together with Red Bull. It is the same four boats battling for the top spots as in Act 1 Singapore a month ago.
The legendary French yachtswoman Florence Arthaud (57) was killed in a tragic accident in Argentina earlier this week, when two helicopters collided during the filming of a TV reality show for French television. Seven other Frenchmen were killed including the swimmer, Camille Muffat and the boxer, Alexis Vastine.
Florence Arthaud was one of France's greatest yachtswomen and charmed the public, when she won the 1990 Route du Rhum, the solo transatlantic race between France and Guadeloupe. On November 18, 1990, Florence Arthaud forever earned her nickname as the 'Little Bride of the Atlantic' when, aged 33, she arrived in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, as winner of the fourth edition of the Route du Rhum.
Comparison between VO70 and VO65 - Veteran Round the World sailor, Rob Salthouse addressed a large group at the North Sails Auckland Loft, on the new Volvo65 one design used for the Volvo Ocean Race.
Read the article HERE
Photographer Ingrid Abery was in air at Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015, and provided a gallery of images.
Watch the amazing pictures HERE
Good sailing!
Dan Ibsen
Europe & UK editor
dan.ibsen@sail-world.com
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