Volvo Ocean Race fleet heads south towards the Roaring Forties

(October 25, 2014; Day 15) – The route to Cape Town for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet currently is southbound as the teams sail along the Brazilian city of Aracaju. With the wind direction averaging at 100 degrees, each team is determining a fast angle in anticipation of a forecast that is indicating weakening winds.

Showers and squalls will develop near the land, and the wind will progressively shift to the east and the northeast. This will affect the short-term options of the competitors and favour those placed offshore.

Long-term though, one strategy seems to be taking shape. It’s all about heading south towards the Roaring Forties winds (40ºS) before turning east and heading towards Cape Town.

Leg 1 Position Report (as of 21:37 UTC)
1. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Ian Walker (GBR), 3149.5 nm Distance to Finish
2. Team Brunel, Bouwe Bekking (NED), 24.9 nm Distance to Lead
3. Team Vestas Wind, Chris Nicholson (AUS), 63.7 nm DTL
4. Dongfeng Race Team, Charles Caudrelier (FRA), 91.4 nm DTL
5. Mapfre, Iker Martinez (ESP), 123.7 nm DTL
6. Team Alvimedica, Charlie Enright (USA), 124.1 nm DTL
7. Team SCA, Sam Davies (GBR), 129.6 DTL

Race website – Tracking – Watch log – Videos

Background: The 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race began Leg 1 on October 11, which takes the seven teams 6478 nm from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa. ETA is Oct. 31 – Nov. 9. Racing the new one design Volvo Ocean 65, teams will be scoring points in 9 offshore legs to determine the overall Volvo Ocean Race winner. Additionally, the teams will compete in 10 In-Port races at each stopover for a separate competition – the Volvo Ocean Race In-Port Series. Final finish on June 27, 2015 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Report by race media. Photo by Matt Knighton / Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.