Volvo Ocean Race - Ericsson 3 and 4 around Cape Horn

by Volvo Ocean Race media on 18 Mar 2009
Ericsson 3 led the fleet round Cape Horn today, passing the legendary landmark at 12:22 GMT to add four points to its overall tally.

The Nordics, skippered by Magnus Olsson, have had control of this marathon Leg 5 since navigator Aksel Magdahl’s gamble to ignore Southern Ocean tradition and head north from the previous waypoint at 36 degrees south.

The sistership, Ericsson 4, picked up 3.5 points for rounding in second place at 14:48 GMT.

For the leading duo, the treacherous conditions anticipated at the Horn did not materialize with wind conditions in the 25-30 knot range and moderate seas. That may not be the case for the chasing pack.

On the final approach, Ericsson 4's Media Crew Member Guy Salter passed on congratulations to his stable mates. 'The Ericsson 3 boys have managed to hold us off – and fair play to them – they played a good move early after the last scoring gate – a move which none of the rest of us were as brave to play and go against all that is traditional with the NZ to the Horn leg,' he wrote.

Further back in the fleet, the deficits to PUMA and the Irish-Chinese entry Green Dragon, seeking something to celebrate on St Patrick’s Day, were 94 and 191 miles respectively from the waypoint. Telefonica Blue was 722 miles adrift. The Blue boat is engaged in a high speed pursuit as this awesome video clip shows.

For PUMA, Cape Horn cannot come soon enough for the crew, according to Media Crew Member Rick Deppe. 'The guys are really tired today and it's clearly visible in their faces,' he said. 'Furrowed brows, wind-burned skin, bloodshot eyes and croaky voices.'

The Horn also offers a rare glimpse of civilization after a month at sea. 'Hopefully we'll get to see some of the coastline and the mountains of Patagonia,' he said. 'We rarely see much terra firma in nine months, so it's always a treat when we do. An iconic landmark such as Cape Horn will be an extra special experience.'

Guillermo Altadil, who has made six roundings, and would have made his seventh had Delta Lloyd not sat out this leg, has fond memories of the 'rock'.

'One thing remains the same since that first man crossed the border between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, is that one little island with its lighthouse in one of the most remote areas of the world, and the feeling every sailor has when rounding Cape Horn,' he said.

'I can only imagine It must be similar to a marathon runner on arrival at the stadium, with only 400 metres left after his epic 26 miles, to look up and see the public awaiting him.

'On that rock there is no public, but when you are lucky enough to get close enough and on a clear day, you look up, and that black rock, its lighthouse and all the legend surrounding it, makes you think that whatever happens from that moment onwards, you will have fulfilled your objective: to arrive in one piece.'

But, as Mark Chisnell reported this morning, and Salter was keen to emphasize, there is still the matter of 2,000 miles and some light air from the Horn to Rio to negotiate. This leg is far from over, so expect the unexpected.

'The race does not finish at the Cape and it's all go for the long sprint to Rio,' Salter said. 'I know that there are a few of the lads on the good ship Ericsson 4 who are extremely hungry for his leg victory.

'The cold doesn't automatically turn off when we round the Horn – there is a hell of a lot of sailing before the survival suits get packed away and the thermals slung in a plastic bag to fester until wash day ashore.'

Cape Horn Scoring Gate

1. Ericsson 3 – 12:22 GMT 4 points
2. Ericsson 4 – 14:48 GMT 3.5 points

Distance to Cape Horn at 15:00 GMT

PUMA – 94 nautical miles
Green Dragon – 191 nautical miles
Telefonica Blue – 722 nautical miles

Leg Five Day 32: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)

Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) DTF 2264 nm
Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +18
Puma Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +119
Green Dragon IRL/CHI (Ian Walker/GBR) +210
Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) +746

Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) DNS
Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) DNS
Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

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