VOR: TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG FIVE DAY 8 QFB: received 21.10.09 1011 GMT

by Bouwe Bekking (skipper)

Finally a bit of relief of wind pressure, and this afternoon was the first time on this trip to peel all the foul weather clothes off. But the wind has shifted dramatically, and we are having a way worse angle than the leading boats. The bungee cord is now again working for them, and probably in two days time it will go our way again. As I speak, we are back how it was the previous days, spray flying everywhere in 18 knots of breeze. The person who said the Pacific was all about sunshine, beaches and gentle breezes got it wrong, at least for this year.

Last night we had to slow the boat down dramatically as we had to fix the so-called propbox door. The opening/closing mechanism failed and the door stayed open, slowing us down dramatically and we had to drop the main to sail as slow as possible to be able get inside the box. Going to fast meant the water pressure would go up, resulting in a big stream of water pouring into the boat, once the safety lid was off. Xabi (Xabier Fernandez) and David (David Vera) did a quick fix and we were on our way again in just under an hour.

Tom (Tom Addis – navigator) is bit agitated, as we are sailing in an area where we don't receive any weather information. Trying to do it the old way via the SSB doesn't work either. It is one of these things that you learn over the years. Do not get too upset about things you do not have control over, especially if it is the same for all the other boats. Not receiving data means as well that we can't send any pictures or personal emails. We are lucky we have this kit, called the Sat C, which I am using right now, so at least can get some info off the boat. But it is in the nav station, and off limits normally for other usage, as it safety device as well, where we do all comms with the girls (duty officers) at race headquarters.

Volvo Ocean Race