2014 -15 Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 1, Day 1 - Mapfre leads post start

by Agathe Armand on 12 Oct 2014 2014 -15 Volvo Ocean Race - Four hours after the race start - Leader: Mapfre. Total spread of the fleet: four nautical miles. Bearing: south. Route: straight. Forecast for the night: up to 25 knots with rain showers.

The seven boats are now north of Cartagena, some 150 nm from their next turning point, Cabo de Gata. The Spanish boat is in the lead, 2 nm ahead of Team Brunel, 3 nm ahead of Team Alvimedica, Team Vestas Wind, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Dongfeng Race Team. Team SCA are just behind.

At this stage, it’s all about sailing fast on port tack, minimising manoeuvres, saving energy for the Strait of Gibraltar and the entry into the Atlantic Ocean.

But let’s rewind back a little. Racing started at 1200 UTC with one hour of inshore racing in 10 knots of easterly breeze right in front of Alicante. Helmsmen put on their game face, bowmen ran back and forth to change sails, trimmers grinded like mad men. Hundreds of spectator boats cheered for their favourites, making the atmosphere really warm... and the sea really choppy.

Then the fleet rounded the last inshore mark just outside the harbour. Team Brunel led the charge south, a boat length only ahead of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. MAPFRE was following them closely too. The seven teams stacked the sails, gathered in the cockpit and waved goodbyes to the boats nearby, packed with their friends and families.

A couple of hours later, the things have changed already, and it’s a different boat leading. It looks like it’s going to be a long 6,487 nm to Cape Town…