Volvo Ocean Race - Long awaited manoeuvre at the front of the pack
by Volvo Ocean Race on 3 May 2015
Onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 Matt Knighton/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
2014 - 15 Volvo Ocean Race - Gybe time! The long awaited manoeuvre has just played out at the front of the pack. Team Brunel led the move, gybing just minutes before Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing at about 16:42 UTC. Now on port, the two teams led the game back west to a smiling Dongfeng Race Team who then gybed about 7.5 nautical miles ahead and 2nm to leeward.
This predicted redirection is the result of a weak high-pressure ridge that has lifted them on starboard and now hopefully head them on port. This is just the first of two weak high-pressure systems that the teams need to negotiate.
The three leaders must be quite pleased to leave the east in reasonably good shape. Although the route had a better angle on those to the west, it also had less wind.
Mapfre and Team Alvimedica traded many miles heading west as they had no faith in the east. The outcome worked out well for them, making up many miles to now be respectively only 11.2 and 11.3nm behind the leaders. This is a good example of the chasing pack being forced to do something different that works out well for them.
Team SCA benefited from the same game play, also enjoying slightly stronger winds.
The great news for all the teams is that the dreaded fields of Sargasso seaweed have started to become less frequent. Finally they can start sailing again – and stop gardening.
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