Tom Addis looking for wind onboard Telefonica Blue, 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)
Late yesterday afternoon we finally escaped the clutches of the high pressure that had been slowing our progress for the previous couple of days.
I am happy to report we are now doing 13-14 knots pointed straight at Rio. As a result we are shedding the miles to go a little quicker than in the last few days, which comes as good news to all on board as the countdown has definitely begun. The 'distance to waypoint' seems to keep popping up on the displays around the boat as everyone is becoming anxious to tick off the last few hundred miles of what has been a very, very long leg!
I think everyone is silently wishing for the last few hundred miles to be smooth and uneventful although a near miss with a massive black cloud that quickly spread across the horizon shortly before daylight this morning reminded us that there could be plenty more shenanigans to come before we finally arrive at the finish line.
Luckily the cloud in question was avoided without hindrance but you could tell everyone was hoping that it wasn't going to be the first of many. As to whether this is the case or not we will have to wait and see...
Volvo Ocean Race
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