Volvo Ocean Race: One more day to go

(October 27, 2017; Day 6, 13:31 UTC) – All seven Volvo Ocean Race teams have made the turn at the virtual mark called Porto Santo North and are heading for the finish in Lisbon. They’re on the final stretch, but it’s still a good 24 hours before the finish line will be in sight.

With the waypoint in their wake, the fleet is now free to plot their own course to the finishing line, which for now has everyone on a tighter starboard reach angle aiming to the north of layline. Vestas 11th Hour Racing remains in the lead, but with over 200 nm to the finish, they must remain perfect amid the challenging weather changes, geographic obstacles, and a tidal finish area that lie ahead.

While MAPFRE sits alone in second, the race for third is near even with AkzoNobel and Dongfeng now bow to bow. “We try to play a little bit differently compared to AkzoNobel,” explains Dongfeng navigator Pascal Bidégorry. “The forecast for the next day is quite clear. More pressure, a header, and we’re going to cross a ridge. It’s very interesting and very stressful because I don’t think we’ll have a lot of wind close to Lisbon, and every time it’s a big mess.”

The forecast is for easing winds near the finishing line. With an extensive lead, Vestas and MAPFRE should be safe. But after that, it’s an open question who will complete the podium and how the rest of the placings will be earned.

Even at the back of the fleet, the game is on.

“Having Brunel with us, we’re trying to stay ahead of them… It will be a drag race into Lisbon with the options reducing rapidly,” said Dee Caffari. “It’s all about boat speed and making the right sail choice.”

Leg 1 – Position Report (13:31 UTC)
1. Vestas 11th Hour Racing (DEN/USA), Charlie Enright (USA), 230.0 nm DTF
2. MAPFRE (ESP), Xabi Fernández (ESP) 21.4 nm DTL
3. Team AkzoNobel (NED), Simeon Tienpont (NED) 40.1 nm DTL
4. Dongfeng Race Team (CHN), Charles Caudrelier (FRA) 40.8 nm DTL
5. Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (HKG), David Witt (AUS) 47.9 nm DTL
6. Turn the Tide on Plastic (POR), Dee Caffari (GBR) 59.6 nm DTL
7. Team Brunel (NED), Bouwe Bekking (NED) 59.6 nm DTL
DTF – Distance to Finish; DTL – Distance to Leader

To see the crew lists… click here.

Race details – Live content – Scoreboard – Race route – Facebook – YouTube

The first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race started on October 22 and extends 1450 nm from Alicante, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal via Porto Santo.

2017-18 Edition: Entered Teams – Skippers
• Team AkzoNobel (NED), Simeon Tienpont (NED)
• Dongfeng Race Team (CHN), Charles Caudrelier (FRA)
• MAPFRE (ESP), Xabi Fernández (ESP)
• Vestas 11th Hour Racing (DEN/USA), Charlie Enright (USA)
• Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (HKG), David Witt (AUS)
• Turn the Tide on Plastic (POR), Dee Caffari (GBR)
• Team Brunel (NED), Bouwe Bekking (NED)

Background: Racing the one design Volvo Ocean 65, the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race begins in Alicante, Spain on October 22 2017 with the final finish in The Hague, Netherlands on June 30 2018. In total, the 11-leg race will visit 12 cities in six continents: Alicante, Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff, Gothenburg, and The Hague. A maximum of eight teams will compete.

Source: Volvo Ocean Race