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Photo: Yann Riou/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
At its centre, Alberto holds gale-force winds of 35 knots but the teams will likely try to exploit the lesser, more favourable breeze further from the eye of the storm that could catapult them across the Atlantic.
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Photo: Yann Riou/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race |
"There have been a few key moments so far and we’ve been in a position to dictate where we wanted to go, and the fleet are doing a similar thing behind us," Groupama watch captain Damian Foxall said.
"It’s a good position to be in. We’re the first one to gybe and we’re the first to be going in the right direction towards Lisbon at speed. So long as this keeps up, things are looking good.”
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Photo: Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica/Volvo Ocean Race |
Telefónica finished off the podium for the first time in an offshore leg in the race into Miami and made matters worse by taking last place in Saturday’s PORTMIAMI In-Port Race.
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Photo: Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica/Volvo Ocean Race |
“The atmosphere is really good, which is not easy after the recent results,” said Fructuoso. “We're going to give it everything in this leg, as we want to arrive in Lisbon in first place and show we haven't forgotten how to win."
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Photo: Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race |
But skipper Ian Walker said they were well matched against PUMA and CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and enjoying the tussle for third.
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Photo: Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race |
“We dropped back into the pack in the upwind conditions soon after the start but now we are holding them as we get into down wind sailing.”
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Photo: Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race |
“A new low pressure system forming further north is set to swallow up Tropical Storm Alberto and force the huge high pressure system that blocks the path to Lisbon to the east,” he said.
“A cold front associated with the low pressure will bring wind, allowing the teams to sail a much more direct route. The door is definitely open – but timing is everything.”
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Volvo Ocean Race Media
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