Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Volvo Ocean Race- Camper's Mr Smooth comes into his own

by Hamish Hooper on 26 Mar 2012
Tony Rae nursing Camper through monster Southern Ocean waves during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajai, Brazil. Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race

MCM Hamish Hooper www.etnzblog.com!blogs from on board Camper as she cruises towards Puerto Montt, Chile to effect repairs to her structural framing:

Things certainly aren’t getting any easier onboard Camper.

Last night as we were sailing along trying to keep the boat slow and under control we managed to pop the starboard longitudinal. The fourth-big blow we have had in a row. With each new blow things become that much harder and fragile.

Rob Salthouse deserves a knighthood, he has basically been working in the bow completely covered in carbon dust for 4 days now, with the slightest of sleep between fixing things and them breaking again.

His trusty sidekick Mike Pammenter has been right alongside him doing all he can to help keep things together.

Their patience is wearing very thin, but their perseverance is not.


The guys are rolling through their delivery watches of two on deck and two on standby, the main job of the person on the helm is to be as gentle on the boat as possible, minimize any bumps and do anything to avoid hard landings.

He might not have the softest hands but Trae seems to have the softest touch when on the wheel, so I have reverted to calling him Mr. Smooth.

No matter who is driving though, each big bump completely reverberates through the whole boat and you shoot a glance forward to the bow to see if all remains intact.

With more time on their hands the guys are getting a bit more creative with what they eat. They have turned one of my precious kettle’s into a make shift fry pan, all after Chuny discovered a fresh calamari squid on the deck, seasoned it with salt, pepper and olive oil and created a right delicacy for the guys. From there cans of tuna and tortillas have been thrown on for variety. I have had to be a bit of a Grinch though as I am not sure we have the gas to continue the onboard Master Chef trials.


The media station onboard has again been transformed into the ‘internet café’ as all of the guys keep in touch with families about what is happening. Its times like these that that small contact with the outside world, which seems so far away gives such a boost to everyone.

For now we continue eastward towards Chile, but looking for ways to avoid a low system, which is forming and likely to intercept us half way there. When in full fitness that is exactly the weather we want to encounter, but wounded, it’s far from the desired calm flat water we want.

I guess it’s yet another challenge we must over come to reach our primary goal of just getting to land.

And so we limp on.


Golden Quote: 'We appear to have the right combination now to keep the longitudinals intact it has taken some time as this is not and exact science when the boat is not 100% operational. We are looking to the future getting to Chile and getting the boat back in racing order to resume our leg to Itajai.' Chris Nicholson

For more on Camper see www.etnzblog.com

Rooster 2025Sea Sure 2025C-Tech 2020 Tubes 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

18ft Skiff SIXT Spring Championship Race 2
Also the first race of the Club Championship on Sydney Harbour for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy After last Sunday's opening race of the season had to be abandoned when 30-knot Westerly winds swept across the course, racing finally got underway when the Australian 18 Footers League sailed for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy, on Sydney Harbour today.
Posted today at 7:55 am
Globe40 2025/26 Stage 2 Update
Belgium Ocean Racing - Curium and Credit Mutuel 1 mile apart in the forties The incredible duel between the Belgian and French contenders continues in the forties after 4,890 miles of racing! Late Friday, as they passed Gough Island, Benoit Hantzperg and Renaud Dehareng seemed to have gained a small cushion of miles (28.8)
Posted today at 6:19 am
VX One North American Championship overall
Christopher Alexander dominates final day to win The 2025 VX One North American Championship wrapped up in spectacular fashion at Gulfport Yacht Club, where Chris Alexander, sailing his brand-new boat Counterproductive alongside Ricky Welch and Chandler Self, delivered a final day for the history books.
Posted today at 12:31 am
Rolex Middle Sea Race: Up and running
The fleet departed from Grand Harbour at 11am on Saturday This morning at 11.00, the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race got under way from Grand Harbour. The gathered fleet was gently propelled out of the magnificent amphitheatre, assisted by an easterly breeze that built as yachts closed on the exit to the open sea.
Posted on 18 Oct
iQFOiL Youth & Junior Europeans 2025 preview
306 of Europe's most talented young sailors gather in North Sardinia The stunning waters of North Sardinia are about to welcome the 2025 European Youth & Junior Championships, hosted by Club Nautico Arzachena.
Posted on 18 Oct
46th Rolex Middle Sea Race underway
Competitors tackle the challenging and scenic 606-nautical mile course The 46th edition of one of sailing's great offshore races commenced earlier today from the Maltese capital Valletta. A revered and historic event, the Rolex Middle Sea Race always welcomes an impressive and diverse international fleet.
Posted on 18 Oct
2025 Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos day 2
Foilstyle delivers and tow-in turns up the drama After a lively opening day and a calm morning at the lagoon, the second day of the Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos once again brought light winds to the Aegean.
Posted on 18 Oct
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 4
Masters shine, juniors crowned, and finals await The 41st Aloha Classic has come to a thrilling close under perfect Ho'okipa conditions. Finals Day delivered powerful surf, strong trades, and a genuine crowd stretched all along the beach park cheering the champions of the Unified World Wave Tour.
Posted on 18 Oct
New Bedford youth sailors take on the Bermuda Race
The team hopes to break barriers while taking on the challenge of the 636-nautical-mile race Big things are happening in Massachusetts' Whaling City! The New Bedford Community Boating Center (CBC) recently registered its youth offshore sailing team for the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race.
Posted on 18 Oct
Preserve Performance with Expert Sail Care
Don't wait until small issues become big ones Your sails work hard every time you head out on the water. Regular service is the key to maintaining their shape, extending their life, and protecting your investment.
Posted on 18 Oct