Leading Boat ASSA ABLOY Continues to Gain Miles
by Volvo Ocean race on 1 Jan 2002
Assa Abloy first in Sydney to Hobart race Carlo Borlenghi /
www.carloborlenghi.com
Since the line honours victory in Sydney-Hobart, ASSA ABLOY has continued to
lead the VO 60’s towards Auckland in leg three of the Volvo Ocean Race.
In an early stage ASSA ABLOY chose a more northerly route than the other boats,
which has paid off well. The crew is 450 miles away from New Zealand’s most
northerly tip, Cape Reinga. They are currently experiencing rough sailing in
strong northerly winds, but a high pressure is expected close to New
Zealand.
Navigator Mark Rudiger wrote in his New Year’s mail today: “We're obviously
very happy the way ASSA ABLOY Racing Team is starting the new year, and
we're all thankful for the chance to be out here in this great race with
awesome people all around. We can't wait to sail down the coast of the land
of the big white cloud and arrive in the sailors paradise.”
After every six hourly position report ASSA ABLOY has gained miles on the
rest of the fleet. With a confident lead of 65 miles to second boat Amer
Sports One and around 140 miles to the next three boats, the blue and gold
ocean racer will be difficult to pass unless they park in the high pressure
north of New Zealand.
The high pressure lying to the northwest of New Zealand is expected to move
slowly to the southeast. If the weather continues as expected the wind will
drop as the boats approach Cape Reinga, which could give the other
competitors a chance to catch up with ASSA ABLOY.
Navigator Mark Rudiger is aware of this fact. He wrote in an email
yesterday: “The big question is will the high stay parked there and let the
other boats catch up and even worse pass us like we did last time against
Swedish Match, or will the wind Gods stay with us until the end.”
New Zealander Richard Mason, trimmer onboard, is looking forward to
finishing in his home country. ”This race has always been a child hood
dream. I will have tears in my eyes coming in to Auckland. I have always
been at the dock to see the round the world racers come in,” said Mason
before the start in Sydney. Mason is doing his first round the world race as
crewmember on ASSA ABLOY.
ASSA ABLOY is expected to arrive in Auckland sometime between the 3rd and
4th of January.
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