Tagesberichte siehe Menu unten
Fotogalerie Leg 8
09.06.09
http://media.pumaoceanracing.com
Tiring and trying times for PUMA
June 9, 2009 – After suffering devastating damage to one of their key
sails today and being forced into a lonely area of light winds, PUMA has
slipped back from third to seventh place, losing 25 miles in just a matter
of hours. With 327 miles to go until the finish of leg eight in Marstrand,
Sweden, the PUMA Ocean Racing team are focussed on making some tactically
winning moves to get themselves back in the race.
While there are only 32 miles separating the entire Volvo Ocean Race
fleet, wind conditions across the course are very varied, due to a large
low pressure system currently sitting over the top of the fleet. As the
most westerly boat of the group, PUMA is currently sailing in just five
knots of wind, while other teams have almost 20 knots. Following a
fantastic morning during which PUMA made up valuable ground and was second
fastest Volvo 70 round the ‘Delta Lloyd Gate Race’, a time trial round two
marks just off the beach of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the mood onboard
is now somewhat different.
The PUMA Ocean Racing team are now battling their way up the coast of the
Netherlands into the North Sea, and are expected to reach Marstrand, on
the west coast of Sweden during the early hours of Thursday morning. No
crew member has had more than a cat nap since the leg began from Galway,
Ireland on Saturday and all are suffering from sleep deprivation. As
expected, leg eight has been an especially mentally and tactically tough
journey to date.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “We have been in a heavy-weight prize
fight for days now. Today we sailed back into third and then amazingly
blew up our big spinnaker when sailing downwind just after the Rotterdam
loop. Following that, a chain reaction occurred and the culmination of it
all is that we have made a complete split from the fleet and we are left
hoping beyond hope that this new tactic works.”
“After the chute exploded we had to put up smaller sails and in turn we
had to sail a higher course than the rest of the fleet. We aren't allowed
to carry extra big spinnakers and so when that sail goes you are in
trouble. It just broke, right below the head patch, with absolutely no
warning. So, we simply lost touch with the rest of the fleet by sailing
higher. The wind then got lighter…then lighter…and before we knew it we
were drifting. The center of the low had engulfed us. Our best hope is to
try and punch through the center of the low and wait for the rest of the
group to hit their light air eventually. We simply can't get back to where
the rest of the fleet is so drastic action is unfortunately required.”
“We have had our fair share of tough breaks on this boat and they have
routinely occurred at some pretty inopportune times. The team always
rallies to make the best of all situations and we typically have our best
legs at that time. We have to try and make the best of this, take it in
our stride. Sure, the team is down right now but we all realize that we
can't quit and need to press on. Sometimes it just doesn't go your way.
Today may have been one of those days for us, as time will only tell.”
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St.
Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium
category and is the only Sportlifestyle company to participate in the
Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and
the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full
range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to
onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was
developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by
the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing
Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
For more information on Puma Ocean Racing, please contact:
Bridgid Murphy or Kate Fairclough - PUMA Ocean Racing
Tel: +1 978 996 5155 or +44 7827 277 517
bridgid.murphy@puma.com or kate.fairclough@puma.com
For images and footage free for editorial use please go to:
http://media.pumaoceanracing.com
|
