Volvo Ocean Race - Cold and brutal, no heater and in different weather

by Various Volvo Ocean Race competitors on 17 Mar 2009
Latest news from the Volvo fleet as they head towards Cape Horn. Not an average day on Ericsson 3, onboard Telefonica Blue they have no heater and are in different weather from the leaders and on Green Dragon Ian Walker says its been a brutal and cold 48 hours. Read on.....

ERICSSON 3 Leg Five Day 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 1250 GMT

Another day in the Ericsson 3 office. Not an average day, but one of maybe 30 in this race where we sail on the borderline of what boat and crew can take. We are hanging on the back of the powerful low pressure system that moves with us towards Cape Horn. The weather forecasts do not describe the situation particularly well; the latest satellite picture show that we are much closer to the centre of the low than anticipated.

There are actually two centres, and we are almost between them - maybe only 50 miles from the headwinds on the other side. But I think the system will move away fast enough for us to stay in the favourable breeze behind the low.

As I am writing this, the wind speed average over the past hour has been 38 knots. 46-50 in the gusts, and they are frequent. Just before I got up from my bunk I noticed 56 on the instrument by the nav station. The sea was almost blown flat, it felt nice down below. I think this is a record wind speed for Ericsson 3 so far. We have throttled back completely, furled the headsail and are sailing with a bottom-reefed main only. Reaching along making 18-20 knots. We will hoist a small staysail when the breeze and sea state settles down a bit.

After a period of terrifying conditions like this, the guys on deck become very conservative for a long time. So I sometimes take the role of ‘pusher’, saying that it is time for more sail area. A bit before it actually is, so that we can be ready when the time comes. It is not the most popular thing to do at these moments.

Every hour, the main sheet trimmer comes down next to the nav station to rub some heat back into their hands again. Most of us have brought two pairs of gloves. One you can actually do stuff with on deck, and one warm. None of which goes well with the computer keyboard, but that is a small problem. I just found my HH hat in a pit of water in the bilge.

The boat's movements are violent, and one can feel how she twists in every wind gust or when landing after launching off a wave. It makes it hard to sleep. Most guys keep a nervous eye at the wind speed on the instruments down below while feeling and judging the impact of every wave. Dozing off every now and then. But it is much more comfortable than in the six degrees water on deck. The bunk and sleeping bag becomes one's ‘home’, the only private hiding spot onboard. Nothing is more disappointing than discovering that one's sleeping bag is wet. Then the off watch becomes a drying project instead. It has happened a few times to most of us during this leg.

The radar is searching for ice, but in these conditions the whole screen is covered in rain and swells. We have also kept a look out for the Portimao Global Ocean Race Class 40 boats that we just passed. I am sure it would be disappointing for one of the shorthanded sailors to be woken up by a VO70 surfing into their cabin.

Some 24 hours left now to a big moment for us sailors, the rounding of Cape Horn.

Aksel Magdahl – navigator

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TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 1217 GMT

We have been lucky so far, no major gales in this part of the world yet. In the previous races there were always one or two big storms, which we had sail through, but it looks like this time not too bad. That is one thing that has changed with these boats, you are actually looking for an area of not more than 30 knots of wind, as otherwise the sea state is a problem to keep high average speeds.

All the guys are now looking forward to get around this famous landmark, and getting out of here. It hasn’t been too bad temperature wise, but I think for some this is already cold enough. The heater has played up today and David (David Vera) was more than happy to spend the entire afternoon downstairs to try to get it going again. It is nice down here when it is up and running and sleeping is way more comfortable, especially since it seems you don’t need to pee so often. When you are cold, most of the guys have to pop up after two hours. A tough choice, stay in the warm bed, but nearly impossible to sleep, or get out. Put your boots on, and find a bucket or bailer and do your business. Then back to bed and sleeping is your reward.

The heater was running for a couple of hours but has stopped again; tomorrow is another day to have a look at it. Most likely again a hammer job, and a bash on the fuel pump, which was the fix this afternoon, (after David had the entire thing apart and still not running).

Bouwe Bekking - skipper

TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG FIVE DAY 30 QFB: received 15.03.08 1810 GMT

Free at last from having to follow the ridge into the ice gate, we gybed away as soon as we could, dialled up some pressure and we were off – free at last.

Still in a different weather world from the leaders though, but at least we have more control over our situation than before. Life is pretty full-on at the moment, lots of water over the bow, but our deflectors are doing a great job of shedding the really solid stuff, so not nearly as much gets back to the cockpit to wash you around – its still survival suits for most though....

Down at 50S now and getting scheds from a fleet of Class and Open 40s racing in the same waters. Single and double handed 40 footers – now that would be a challenge! Looks like Telefónica Blue will be well away from their position though.

Fewer ‘are we there yet?’ questions from the guys about timings now that we are moving well, its more about shifts, pressure and the other yachts. We know that Cape Horn is coming up pretty quickly and we all have the more pressing issue of keeping the boat and its contents under control and in one piece anyway! All quietly hoping for a daylight passage though.

Better run, 18Z weather files are through.

Tom Addis - navigator

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GREEN DRAGON LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 0507 GMT

It’s been a fairly brutal 48 hours with winds consistently over 30 knots made up of cold air from the south. Add to this some very confused seas and it has been a perfect recipe for breaking boats, masts, sails and people.

We sailed a slightly conservative line to avoid the peak winds of the low pressure and have throttled back on several occasions as the slamming of the hull became intolerable. This will cost us precious miles, particularly as we are first to fall off of the system, but it is a decision I am happy with. Deep in the Southern Ocean 1000 miles from anywhere is not the place for hoisting the 'hero' flag.

Boat and crew remain in good shape and now that the wind is under 30 and the seas have flattened off we are able to hoist the spinnaker and push on again. It feels like this leg is nearly over but we still have 3000 miles to go and we need a boat in full working order.

Life onboard has improved in the last 12 hours with the conditions, but nobody will be sad to turn the corner and head north. Most clothes are wet, sleeping bags are damp, the boat is full of condensation so there is little reprieve down below.

There is little comfort in what food we have and emails from home or news from the outside world are the only things to break the monotony. There is noticeably less chat amongst the guys as everyone is in survival mode just personally trying to get through the next few days.

It looks like the elements are saving one last strong throw of the dice in the shape of more gale force winds, which will hit us just before the Horn. We will remain cautious and respectful of where we are in the w