Compression follows calming conditions

(November 24, 2014; Day 6) – As the high-pressure system gets closer to the Volvo Ocean Race fleet, the wind has dropped around 10 knots, the boats have slowed down, and the hunters have caught up with the hunted. As anticipated, compression is occurring.

“The Indian Ocean calmed down,” noted reporter Stefan Coppers on Brunel. “Endless high waves gave way to a flat ocean.”

The wind has shifted from the west to the east, with offwind angles replaced now with upwind angles. As for what lies ahead, that remains a mystery.

“It’s strange not knowing when that will happen, not believing in the computers at all,” shared reporter Amory Ross on Alvimedica. “We have come to trust them implicitly but they are unclear as to what will come next.”

While the weather remains a lottery, the calmer conditions have been welcomed.

“This is the first day since we left Cape Town that you have the opportunity to dry your gear out and give your neck and wrists a break from the latex seals”, notes Pitman Daryl Wislang on Abu Dhabi, as the crew has strewn across the deck their wet weather gear, boots, and socks to dry in the sun.

With positions changing daily, a narrow gap of experience is quickly closing every second the fleet spends more time racing the Volvo Ocean 65s. “I think you discount any team at your own peril, I think everyone is pretty strong, observed navigator Simon Fisher on Abu Dhabi. “Some guys are a little more consistent at the moment but already the level is very very high.”

Leg 2 Position Report (as of 18:40 UTC)
1. Team Brunel, Bouwe Bekking (NED), 3928.4 nm Distance to Finish
2. MAPFRE, Iker Martinez (ESP), .6 nm Distance to Lead
3. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Ian Walker (GBR), 2.0 nm DTL
4. Dongfeng Race Team, Charles Caudrelier (FRA), 2.1 nm DTL
5. Team Alvimedica, Charlie Enright (USA), 7.8 nm DTL
6. Team Vestas Wind, Chris Nicholson (AUS), 9.8 nm DTL
7. Team SCA, Sam Davies (GBR), 25.5 DTL

Race website – Tracking – Watch log – Videos

Background: The 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race began in Alicante, Spain on Oct. 11 with the final finish on June 27 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Racing the new one design Volvo Ocean 65, seven 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. The second offshore leg from Cape Town, SA to Abu Dhabi, UAE is 6,125 nm, started Nov. 19 with an ETA of Dec. 9-16.