The fleet blast out of Galway Bay with Ericsson 4 in the lead, at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Bouwe Bekking (skipper)
The first time during this race that we could hang 100% with the otherS, while running in 25-30 knots. Development never stands still, even in the late stages of the race. Our new spinnaker is fast, but we had a scary moment as well. In one squall we had 40 knots and we were hanging on for our dear lives, we were more under water than above. We decided to drop the big spinnaker, knowing that we would lose some distance, but keeping it in one piece was more important. But shortly after we dropped, the others followed.
Around midnight we blasted past Fastnet Rock, luckily not a lot of spectator boats to avoid, as we were doing a steady 23 knots. After Fastnet Rock we started our watch system, as up to then we had too many manoeuvres to do. I don't know how many times down the coast. After a wet ride until 0500, now it has calmed down and we are only having 10 knots of breeze. Time to catch up some sleep.
Volvo Ocean Race
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