![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
The leading pair appeared similarly matched in the favourable downwind conditions since the start of the leg on Sunday, but competition for the number one position remained fierce with the five boats split by just 10 miles.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
The intense racing was a welcome return for the crew of Abu Dhabi, whose yacht Azzam arrived in Itajaí on a container ship just three days before the leg start.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
“For now we are just happy to be out here and racing boats alongside us for a change.”
With morale high on PUMA after a win in Leg 5, skipper Ken Read said Leg 6 was all about scoring maximum points to shoot them up the overall leaderboard from their current fourth position, 32 points behind race leaders Team Telefónica.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
Around 15 miles south-east of CAMPER, Telefónica and Groupama were making their bid for the front spot in fast conditions that suit their Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed boats.
Despite being knocked off the top spot in the leg rankings, Read said he was happy with his boat’s position against his rivals on either side.
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
“Those two boats, for some reason, seem to have a little edge over us in this tight reaching. We’re OK with our first night, but we probably rather be a little further east and just wave a magic wand.”
![]() |
Photo: Hamish Hooper/Camper ETNZ/Volvo Ocean Race |
Volvo Ocean Race chief meteorologist Gonzalo Infante said the next few days could prove crucial as the teams race to be the first to the trade winds, currently around three days’ sailing away.
“It is going to get very tricky for the teams as the wind slowly dies,” he said. “The door to the trade winds has been firmly shut by a cold front blocking the path.
“There are going to be a lot of transitions to make over the coming days in the race to the trades.”
Leg 6 is expected to take around 14 days to complete.
|
Volvo Ocean Race Media
No comments:
Post a Comment