Storm ready to batter Volvo Ocean Race fleet

(November 28, 2014; Day 10) – It’s been a day of preparations for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet – who have been battening down the hatches ahead of a potential tropical storm tonight. Winds of 35-45 knots are expected!

Meanwhile, the leading pack, consisting of MAPF, ADOR, TBRU and DFRT, have been heading north, with no position changes since 0700 UTC this morning. The Spanish boat sits at the front of that group.

Also since 0700 UTC, SCA, ALVI and VEST have sailed through a zone of clouds. That’s meant a real lack of wind, and they have had to maneuver frequently as a result. A lot of distance to the leaders has been lost today.

Click here for PredictWind forecast

Leg 2 Position Report (as of 21:40 UTC)
1. MAPFRE, Iker Martinez (ESP), 3023.8 nm Distance to Finish
2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Ian Walker (GBR), 12.8 nm Distance to Lead
3. Team Brunel, Bouwe Bekking (NED), 22.2 nm DTL
4. Dongfeng Race Team, Charles Caudrelier (FRA), 25.3 nm DTL
5. Team Vestas Wind, Chris Nicholson (AUS), 108.4 nm DTL
6. Team Alvimedica, Charlie Enright (USA), 144.5 nm DTL
7. Team SCA, Sam Davies (GBR), 199.7 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.