Volvo Ocean Race - Teng Jiang He takes the helm

by Volvo Ocean Race on 16 Jan 2012 In the Volvo Ocean Race, the 37 year old sailor who is the first Chinese sailor to compete, has so far been reluctant to give up the helm since grasping it at sunrise on Sunday as the crew continues to drift on in their bid to complete the first stage of Leg 2.

While frustrations reached near fever-pitch on board for the other six crewmen as the Doldrums continued to cause a slow-paced havoc, Tiger was in a 'cheerful mood' reported MCM Andres Soriano.

Tiger, a sailing novice before joining Team Sanya, said he was hoping to be near expert at sailing come early February when the teams are expected to finish the race to Sanya, China.

The light although fickle airs of the Doldrums had created the perfect training ground for the father of one.

'All is good, I am taking every opportunity I can to learn more about the boat, especially about sail trim and helming,’’ he said.

'It has been a great trip for that and I cannot wait to race the other boats home.’’

Team Sanya managed to clock up just 124 nautical miles in 24-hours overnight, averaging speeds of about 5.2 knots, but dipping as low as two, much to the frustration of the crew.

At 0900 UTC on Sunday the team were racing at five knots speed in a three-knot easterly breeze, while covered by the stealth zone to protect them from the threat of piracy.

Stand-in skipper Richard Mason is hopeful that they will escape the clutch of he Doldrums by the day’s end and gain reaching conditions in a fresh westerly front that should drive them to the finish at the secret safe haven port in the Indian Ocean.

Volvo Ocean Race website