Heavy rain onboard Telefonica Blue in the Southern Ocean, on leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro. Image copyright Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Simon Fisher (helmsman)
I'm very pleased to report that we have finally passed the ice gate, we are on the way to Cape Horn and away from ridge of high pressure that had be taunting us for so many days.
We are also at last seeing some gains against the leaders as we are now bringing the breeze up from behind. It is a stark contrast to 24 hours ago when we were dealing with six or seven knots of wind. Instead now we are blasting along at 20+ knots in 30 knots of wind.
The boat is once more bouncing around as we pound through the waves, every now and then ploughing into the one in front sending a wall of white water down the through the cockpit. Downstairs it is now getting harder to type as the boat lurches around from wave to wave.
It looks like we have a fast ride now to the Horn. It feels good to be on our way again but the windy conditions now bring a fresh set of challenges. At least so far, we are finding things a little easier with our new bigger rudders which should make life just that little bit easier and a little less stressful...
Volvo Ocean Race
No comments:
Post a Comment