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Race Tracker
Fotogalerie Leg 4
25th February 2015
Leg 4: Sanya to Auckland (5, 264 nautical miles)
Days at sea: 17
Distance to finish: 800 miles
Boat speed: 16 knots
Position in fleet: Attached by elastic with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Dongfeng back in first position by just 2nm.
THE HUNTER VS THE HUNTED
“At the start of this race I was really feeling the pressure. The crew selection is the key to success on this race. You don’t need the best sailors, you need the best team – it’s not the same thing.” – Charles Caudrelier
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Dongfeng Race Team are locked into such an intense battle approaching Auckland that even the Volvo Ocean Race tracker is showing them as one boat.
They’re that close.
There is still 800 miles to go and that is a long way in ocean racing. But as you can see from Charles’ blog below, whatever happens we have a skipper that is very proud of his team for coming back from what looked like a desperate last place last week.
“Three days of racing and two obstacles ahead of us. This is what separates us from a dream win in Auckland. Since last night we took the lead again, and with the pressure of being in front. To be in the lead after all the hard knocks we’ve taken on this leg is without doubt one of my, and the team’s, proudest moments since the start of this race.
We’ve had really hard moments, phases of total exhaustion, and moments of real frustration and anger but onboard there is always someone ready to re-motivate the others, someone with a positive outlook. I am so lucky to be surrounded by a magic team. Erwan who has joined us just for this one leg has delivered everything I have asked of him to make up for the absence of Pascal. Fresh and really motivated, he has brought us much more than just his talent – energy that we were perhaps missing after 4 tough legs.
At the start of this race I was really feeling the pressure. The crew selection is the key to success on this race. You don’t need the best sailors, you need the best team – it’s not the same thing. The race is still very long, this leg also, everything can still happen, but those that know me well know that I am never satisfied. However, exceptionally, I can say that I am very happy with the choices I’ve made, and if I had to choose again, I would change nothing.
As a team we are managing to be competitive whilst fully respecting our commitment to train, develop and sail alongside our Chinese sailors.
Looking forward at the next few days, the two main obstacles are the crossing of an old weather front in 24 hours time, and the finish which looks light – not sure yet whether its upwind or downwind, it is not clear. It could be a total restart, but I am really hoping if it is, that it’s between the current top 3. The other boats are now quite a long way back, but anything could happen still.
Of course it’s always better to be leading, and I’d rather be where we are than where MAPFRE is – but MAPFRE has nothing to lose, they are very aggressive tactically. Abu Dhabi meanwhile will follow us for now and wait for an opportunity to jump on us.
Image cr?edit: Sa?m Greenf?ield/Don?gfeng Ra?ce Team
You can follow our story and interact with the team on all social media channels and our official website:
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For media information on Dongfeng Race Team contact:
Amy Monkman (English language)
amy.monkman@ocsport.com
For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit:
www.volvooceanrace.com
LEG 4, DAY 16 - HUNTING
Chasing down Azzam, that little spec on the horizon after they passed them during the night.
© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - ABU DHABI AHEAD
'We were this close at sunrise. And then Azzam slammed us' - Sam Greenfield. Dongfeng managed to pull back ahead though, by just 0.2nm.
© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - HORACE ONBOARD
Horace Chen. At sunrise we got stuck under a raincloud and watched MAPFRE and Azzam sail past us... on both sides.
© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - WOLF ONBOARD
Wolf's message on his whiteboard says what all the sailors on Leg 4 are currently feeling, tired!
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© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - CHARLES CAUDRELIER ONBOARD
Stuck under a dark cloud, Charles watches Azzam and Mapfre sail past after a night of fighting. Back in the lead by just 0.2nm
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© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - ERWAN ISRAEL ONBOARD
Erwan Israel glued to AIS as Dongfeng approach the final 1,000 miles to Auckland
© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 16 - ERWAN ISRAEL ONBOARD
Our navigator for Leg 4, Erwan Israel, watches MAPFRE and Abu Dhabi pass on both sides after a tough night for Dongfeng. Back in first position, the determined men of Dongfeng keep fighting...
© Sam Greenfield / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race
LEG 4, DAY 15 - OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS
First day outside of the Doldrums and Dongfeng are waiting on the Eastern wind to carry us to Auckland.
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