![]() |
Photo: Yann Roui/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
At 1300 UTC, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand were in second place thanks to their southerly positioning but under threat from a still charging PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG on the far eastern edge of the pack.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
The fleet is expected to turn south over the next 24 hours as they latch on to north easterly trade winds on the way to the equator and Groupama look well placed for that transition.
![]() |
Photo: Yann Roui/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
“Jean-Luc did great work on that because at one time we had to decide to go north, a difficult choice because it was a big investment compared to the normal course to Auckland.”
Cammas said Groupama’s decision to abandon their southerly route also meant they could head off PUMA, who have been charging back into contention after sailing north for several days.
![]() |
Photo: Yann Roui/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
Furthest south, overall race leaders Telefónica are struggling to match the speeds of Groupama and PUMA in the east -- a situation which skipper Iker Martínez says could worsen when the fleet begins trade wind sailing.
“PUMA and Groupama have lots more speed to the east,” he said. “For sure once all the teams are in the trades PUMA and Groupama will have a better angle and will get more speed out of their boats.
![]() |
Photo: Yann Roui/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
Martínez said despite their current uncharacteristic ranking Telefónica remained in good spirits and were committed to fighting their way back into contention by outsailing their competitors.
“Everyone’s positive on board, everyone’s very good,” he said. “The boat is in good shape and we’re working hard. We just weren’t in the right place. Now we have to fight hard because there are still 4,000 miles left.”
![]() |
Photo: Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica/Volvo Ocean Race |
“We’re having a tough time hanging with the other guys, but conditions are very pleasant on board so it’s not all bad,” Bannatyne said.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
“We’re all in good spirits and working hard to get back into it. I don’t think we’re going to get as far east as PUMA or Groupama and we’re hoping we don’t need to.”
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
|
Volvo Ocean Race Media
No comments:
Post a Comment