Volvo Ocean Race Leg 4 Day 15
by Volvo Ocean Race media 4 Mar 2012 10:54 GMT
4 March 2012
The fleet racing in Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race to Auckland has finally escaped the Doldrums and is beginning to feel the effects of fresh south-easterly trade winds, which will build right-handed to the benefit of leader Franck Cammas and his men on board Groupama 4.
The French team have cleared the tip of Santa Ana Island, the southernmost of the Solomon Islands archipelago and are now heading towards New Caledonia, 500 nm ahead. Groupama 4 is fully committed to passing it on the western side, but for PUMA and Abu Dhabi, the decision on which way to go is less clear cut.
At 0700 UTC today, the team led by 80 nautical miles. Once out into the Coral Sea, the fleet will begin to reconnect and it will be clear how the east versus west strategies have played out.
Meanwhile, in heat that is almost unbearable, Telefónica (Iker Martínez/ESP), CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand (Chris Nicholson/AUS) and Team Sanya (Mike Sanderson/NZL) are clear of the Solomon Islands, an option that has not appeared as costly as expected, even though the wind died significantly overnight.
At 1000 UTC today, Groupama 4’s lead had levelled to 80.4 nm from PUMA, as average speeds had increased to 13.3 knots for the leading boat. The order has remained unchanged although Telefónica, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and CAMPER had all made small gains, with CAMPER averaging the fastest in the fleet at 13.7 knots. Team Sanya was still feeling the effects of the islands and her speed has yet to increase to match the rest.
Having said goodbye to the most active part of the Doldrums, the fleet can expect consistent south-easterly trade winds for at least three days.
Amory Ross (MCM, PUMA Ocean Racing) looks back on the Doldrums
I hope they’re showing the classic film “West Side Story” in the Auckland race village. You know, the one about two rival city gangs on opposite sides of town? Ignore for a moment that it’s a movie about dancing, because we’re headed for a sort-of-similar story here, a story of east versus west.
It’s no longer about risk versus reward or “rolling the dice,” or any of the other catchy ways to spin it; both sides are fully committed and there’s no trading places. The facts: we’re east with Groupama and Abu Dhabi. Telefónica is west with CAMPER and Sanya. From our perspective, their only play – other than sail upwind to our line and take a 200-mile loss with 2,000 miles to go – is to stay where they are and hope for favorable winds south of the Solomon Islands. Likewise, we’re fully east and to get to them would be an ill-advised run away from New Zealand. East versus West (only, without all the finger snapping).
It’s another big split in what has been a fascinating race. This has been a long leg, a grueling, confusing, punishing leg, but it has been full of moments like this that make you wonder…how’s it all going to play out? We’ve got a better angle to the finish and we’re closer. They’ve got stronger winds but are sailing towards unknown waters, including uncharted passages, mystery currents, and fluky winds. But that’s what ocean racing is all about, isn’t it? Weather, navigation, boat handling, and decision making are all paramount over the next week. It’s exciting. I mean, I’m excited!
Groupama is still 70 miles off the bow and we’re having trouble making our gains stick. Every good sched for us is followed by a good sched for them, and that’s been the seesaw life over the last few days. Ultimately, the goal is to stay within reach in the hopes that the Doldrums will offer the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Neither of us have faired particularly well in similar scenarios thus far, so at the very least we can probably assure you’ll be entertained!