Volvo Ocean Race – Team Brunel crossed the equator in fourth position

by Team Brunel on 13 Nov 2017 Team Brunel crossed the equator on Monday afternoon in fourth position. The team of Volvo Ocean Race veteran Bouwe Bekking crossed the equator after nearly eight days only 10 nm. behind Leg leader Dongfeng.

Strong weekend Team Brunel
The sailors aboard Team Brunel had a strong weekend. They caught up Team AkzoNobel and the connection with the front of the fleet was realised.

'The last 24 hours have been full of of activities. Sail changes to match the conditions, and hopefully getting it right when one of the frequent squalls is hitting you,' skipper Bouwe Bekking wrote.

'We have done alright performance wise, slowly clawing back into Vestas and Mapfre. Dongfeng seems to be slippery in this tight reaching. Akzo barely hanging on in this group, now barely can see their 'headlights'.'

Americas Cup sailors meet King Neptune
For Peter Burling - World Sailor of the Year - (NZL), Kyle Langford (AUS) and Carlo Huisman (NED), passing the equator meant there first encounter with King Neptune. The three former Americas Cup sailors faced the King.

Crossing equator positions

1. Dongfeng Raceteam: 09.41 UTC
2. MAPFRE: 09.57 UTC
3. Vestas 11th Hour Racing: 10.26 UTC
4. Team Brunel: 10.35 UTC
5. Team AkzoNobel: 1126 UTC

Boats six and seven, Scallywag and Turn the Tide on Plastic didn't crossed the equator yet.