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Fotogalerie Leg 4
15th February 2015
GUT WRENCHING LOSS OF MILES FOR DONGFENG
In ocean racing plenty can go right (as Dongfeng experienced during leg 3) and plenty can go wrong, as the team experienced last night. While crossing the Pacific Ocean in dark, wet, windy and wild conditions, the light hearted approach to Valentine’s Day was cut short as the team suffered a J1 halyard system failure and the sail they were using disconnected from the top of the mast resulting in a scramble for all hands on deck.
With the water hosing across the deck, and the sun already down, there couldn’t have been a worse time to have to take this on. The smaller J2 sail went up immediately, but the loss of power was gut wrenching for the team as they saw their hard earned miles disappear. Onboard handyman Kevin Escoffier stepped up and had the problem repaired in a matter of hours but the frustration onboard was almost tangible.
“Here’s what happened. After dark the wind picked up and the sea got testy. The crew hoisted the J2 fast but it wasn’t suited for the angle we were sailing, so we lost miles on the fleet,” reports Sam Greenfield. “It was seven hours of work in total to figure out how to get the J1 back up on another halyard but it revealed a significant frustration. When I ask the team about it all they say is that it was a bad night. So all I have to say is that it was a bad night.”
There is no question Charles Caudrelier and his team left Sanya with added pressure on their shoulders. Naturally as unexpected leaders, the race lead was now theirs to lose and it is small but significant problems like this that add to that pressure.
Less than three days in to this leg the fleet were faced with an important tactical decision, take the daring option and head north towards Taiwan or what appeared to be the ‘safer’ option and sail east across the top of the Philippines. More than 24 hours after the decision Charles became frustrated claiming he’d been too conservative and believed he should’ve sailed north (like Team Brunel and Team SCA).
As predicted, the rankings are being turned on their heads, as Brunel storms down over the top of the southerly group, including Dongfeng. The question is just how far ahead can Team Brunel get before they have given up their easterly leverage – will they decide to give it all up now, or keep some in the bank? For the non-sailors, they are faster because they are able to sail a wider angle to the wind, thanks to their more easterly position.
After half a dozen hours of repair time, Dongfeng set about getting back in the game. Inch by inch, they’ve fought their way back in front (just!) of MAPFRE, although they are now back in fourth position, 4nm behind. But Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing have managed to get a nice controlling position to the south east that will be hard to break without the luck dice rolling the right way in the upcoming Doldrums.
Image cr?edit: Sa?m Greenf?ield/Don?gfeng Ra?ce Team
For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit:
www.volvooceanrace.com
www.dongfengraceteam.com/partners
LEG 4, DAY 6 - LOSS OF MILES FOR DONGFENG
While crossing the Pacific Ocean in dark, wet, windy and wild conditions, the light hearted approach to Valentine’s Day was cut short as the team suffered a J1 halyard system failure and the sail they were using disconnected from the top of the mast resulting in a scramble for all hands on deck.
© Sam Greenfield/Dongfeng Race Team/Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 6 - LOSS OF MILES FOR DONGFENG
While crossing the Pacific Ocean in dark, wet, windy and wild conditions, the light hearted approach to Valentine’s Day was cut short as the team suffered a J1 halyard system failure and the sail they were using disconnected from the top of the mast resulting in a scramble for all hands on deck.
© Sam Greenfield/Dongfeng Race Team/Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 6 - LOSS OF MILES FOR DONGFENG
While crossing the Pacific Ocean in dark, wet, windy and wild conditions, the light hearted approach to Valentine’s Day was cut short as the team suffered a J1 halyard system failure and the sail they were using disconnected from the top of the mast resulting in a scramble for all hands on deck.
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