Turn the Tide on Plastic takes over the lead on Leg 6
by Peter Rusch 21 Feb 2018 03:02 PST
22 February 2018
Leg 6 to Auckland, day 14 on board Turn the Tide on Plastic. Catching up to Brunel puts a smile on Skipper Dee's face. 20 February, © James Blake / Volvo Ocean Race
There's a new leader on Leg 6 as Turn the Tide on Plastic steps forward...
"It's just a shambles here. You are where you are and you get what you get."
So says David Witt, the skipper of SHK/Scallywag, after surrendering the lead to a charging Turn the Tide on Plastic overnight on Tuesday (UTC).
Dee Caffari's Turn the Tide on Plastic and Team Brunel, nearly 70 miles further east, found better breeze and made significant gains.
On the 0700 UTC report on Wednesday morning, Caffari and crew were out to a 20 mile lead.
"We wake to more good news today," Caffari wrote. "Our nighttime light wind sailing seems to be coming on a treat and we are continuing to make gains on the whole fleet.
"That not only brings a smile to sleepy crew members being woken to come on deck for their watch but also a more gritted determination from everyone to try and maintain this hard work all the way to Auckland, just 1500 miles away."
Spirits on board are so high that on board reporter James Blake flew the drone down the main companionway hatch, through the boat, and out a forward hatch. Check out the cool footage here
Conditions haven't really changed since yesterday. Winds remain very light, variable and it's hot, making for uncomfortable living conditions. The occasional torrential downpour adds variety.
At the back, nearly 100 miles from the leaders, Dongfeng Race Team and MAPFRE continue to race just metres from each other.
""One would think we were attached by a bungee," posted Carolijn Brouwer, from Dongfeng Race Team, captioning a photo that showed MAPFRE nearly within high-five distance.
There's more of this ahead. But each hard-fought mile sailed brings the fleet closer to stronger winds. That's the only solace they can take.