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Fotogalerie Leg 5
26th March 2015
Dongfeng gain 24 miles in 3 hours...
BACK IN THE MIX
Today, in OC Sport’s office the Dongfeng Race Team shore team received the latest position report. Dongfeng, who most likely through determination, smart navigation and no doubt a little luck, have managed to gain 24 miles in 3 hours.
Neil Graham, the team’s Technical Director picks up the phone to Team Director Bruno Dubois who is at Southampton airport: “Bruno… Absolutely… no, no it’s not a trick waypoint calculation we have gained 24 miles in 3 hours. I know… very good. They’ve done well in tricky conditions, we were sailing in slightly more breeze but with a better wind angle than the others. I agree… yes… great to be back in the mix of things… of course… we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Dongfeng kept furthest south – on the edge of the ice limit – to their rivals and its paid off. Whether it will keep on paying dividends, we will just have to wait and see. Of course. we’d love to shout it from the rooftops that we’re first but chances are, even by the time you read this, things could be very different.
This leg has been unlike any other for us. With the Chinese guys having never sailed in more than 30 knots of wind, Charles has had to find the right balance between performance and safety. It’s been interesting because in the same way we have received encouraging emails and comments on social media, we have also received some more realistic ones, such as: “You guys are great in light winds but this is not your leg.”
There’s no disputing Charles and his team have done well so far – four legs and four podiums. The compromise on race performance is more exposed on this leg with our crew set-up of Chinese rookies and western pro sailors, but again the determined men of Dongfeng keep fighting and the unexpected happens – we find ourselves in first position. We know it’s not over until it’s over. But for now – at least until the next position report! Dongfeng Race Team fans can carry on their day with a smile.
Last night Dongfeng were as far as they could be from civilisation, tomorrow marks the halfway point of the Volvo Ocean Race and on Sunday the leaders are expected to round Cape Horn.
Image cr?edit: Ya?nn Riou/? Dongfen?g Race T?eam
Leg 5, Day 9 - Pascal Bidégorry
Pascal after a gybe along the ice exclusion zone.
© Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team
Leg 5, Day 9 - Southern Ocean
'...Everything takes time. Even though we could do with more sleep than ever, time is drained away by all the details of life on a race boat in the Southern Ocean'
© Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team
Leg 5, Day 9 - Kevin Escoffier onboard
Mast check for Kevin Escoffier. Ice gate just below.
© Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team
Leg 5, Day 9 - Damian Foxall onboard
Damian Foxall on standby between two gybes.
© Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team
Leg 5, Day 9 - Gybing
Dongfeng gybing along the ice exclusion zone.
© Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team
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