Volvo Ocean Race – This might be our final gybe

by Team Brunel on 8 Nov 2017 Team Brunel is heading to Cape Town for Leg two of the Volvo Ocean Race. After almost three days on sea we have reactions from Bouwe Bekking, Annie Lush and Kyle Langford about tactics, the life on board and missing out on sleep.

Bekking: It’s all about patience now
Skipper and Volvo Ocean Race Veteran Bekking gives an update about the tactics. Bekking: “We've finally gybed over onto what we think might be our final gybe, so if that's the case it'll be 10 days without another gybe, but it's very shifty so we might have to but who knows. We are the most western boat so we'll see how it pans out. They gybed early and gained because they are sailing to the south, but it's all about patience now.'

Lush: We’ve just got to chase them down now
British sailor Annie Lush is clear about her feelings and expectations: “There was a point last night where I sort of thought it would be really nice if there was a bit less wind and we were dry, but I'd regret thinking that in a couple of days when we're in the doldrums and it's hot and no wind, so we should enjoy it right now.'

“We've some miles to make up now, the others got a better shift, Dongfeng and MAPFRE, so we've just got to chase them down now. It's a long leg and there will be separation between us on this leg. It's quite a tactical leg, so right now there is no need to panic.'

Langford: you’re here to win a sailing race
Kyle Langford: “It's been pretty full on, I was pretty broken yesterday. It's kind of surprising how physical it is, especially when you're steering, you have to throw the wheel around a lot. It's physically draining and exhausting, it's tough. It's so draining because it's non-stop, it never ends. There's no rest, and even when you're down below the boat moves around so much you've got to brace yourself every moment that you’re awake and standing, so it's hard work.”

“Every time we do a manoeuvre we have to carry about 800kg of sails to side to side, and there are only a few of us on board so it's pretty heavy, and you're grinding, then working sails to get the boat moving again, so every time it's about 30 minutes of high intensity work, then you go down below, and then sure enough 30 minutes later there's another call for a manoeuvre.'

'It's a luxury if you do a manoeuvre on your own watch because you don't miss out on your sleep. It's heinous but it’s something you have to do, and you know in theback of your mind that you're here to win a sailing race.'