Volvo Ocean Race - The fleet commits to southern routing

Onboard Team Alvimedica - The pace slowly quickens on Day 5 as the next low pressure system moves in, giving the advantage to the fleet to the south. Ryan Houston loading the winch with a new jib sheet after a sail change - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica

Volvo Ocean Race - A busier day for all!

Position report at 23 March 18:40 UTC - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com

Onboard Team Brunel - Jens Dolmer manages a short break below deck to refuel and regain some energy - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Stefan Coppers/Team Brunel

Nick Dana goes out to the clew of the Fractional Zero to add a changing sheet for an upcoming sail change,while Ryan Houston (L) tends to his tag line and acts as spotter - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica

The fleet has now committed to the southern routing as the option to go north has passed, and life got a little more variety. The wind has veered right over the past 24 hours and the fleet has done at least one gybe. Team Brunel, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Alvimedica advanced position on the fleet meant they gybed between 1200 and 1500 UTC, while Team SCA and MAPFRE called it earlier at 1030UTC.

Onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - Luke Parko Parkinson swings out over the southern ocean to tie a changing sheet on the FRO at sunset - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

Onboard Team SCA - Sophie Ciszek in a full wet weather gear - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Anna-Lena Elled/Team SCA

Onboard MAPFRE - Iker Martinez on the helm after 6 days at sea - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Francisco Vignale/Mapfre/Volvo Ocean Race

Both these boats are at the back of the front travelling east, which means that they will be the first to get the southwesterly wind, just like Dongfeng Race Team who’s in a more south position. They’ll sail a tight reach to the ice limit number seven.

Onboard Dongfeng Race Team - Changing times and habits travelling toward the east - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team

This will play to the advantage of the leading pack as they will get a warning as to how soon the southwesterlies will arrive for them. It will allow them to plan ahead to manage the wind shift.

Onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - Phil Harmer finds space to brush his teeth away from the saltwater - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

The Duchies and the Emiratis will try to keep on the front side of the front for as long as possible. Usually this means pushing as hard as you can, however they also have the conditions to take into account.

Onboard MAPFRE - Jean Luc Nelias, the face of a cold man - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Francisco Vignale/Mapfre/Volvo Ocean Race

With the sea state already rough and the boats still yet to prove themselves in a Southern Ocean onslaught, this may mean they choose to play it safe and only push as hard as the boat close to them.

Onboard Team SCA - Stacey Jackson on the bow for a sail change - Leg five to Itajai - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 © Anna-Lena Elled/Team SCA

As mentioned in previous blogs from the boats, the atmosphere has changed this leg. Whilst racing safety must also be factored in, this means you never want to be the boat in last place when heading downwind as any boat in front of you will have a long slog back upwind to find you.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]

So, here’s to the race to the front of the pack.

Leader: TBRU
Wind speed: 30 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 22 knots
Wind direction: 255º - 288º
Lowest boat speed: DFRT (21 knots)
Highest boat speed: ALVI, MAPF, SCA (23 knots)
Lowest wind speed: SCA (28 knots)
Highest wind speed: MAPF (33 knots)

Position report at: 23 Mar 18:40 UTC / Updated 3 hourly		DTL (NM)	GAIN/LOSS (NM)	DTF (NM)	Speed (kt)
	Team Brunel	0	0	4621	21
	Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	43.7	5	4664.7	22
	MAPFRE	68.7	22	4689.6	22
	Team Alvimedica	74.6	2	4695.6	21
	Dongfeng Race Team	101	13	4722	20
	Team SCA	105.2	16	4726.2	20
	Team Vestas Wind	DID NOT START