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Asia is approached for the first time. The Indian city of Kochi may not have a team, but it has spent money on tourism advertising. Incidentally, this applies to all Asian harbours. The leg contains many challenges: the Agulhas Current, which runs southwards along the east coast of Africa and often creates rough conditions, then the south-east trade winds and then the second crossing of the equator with a pronounced calm, probably until the finish.
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We head eastwards past India and Sri Lanka. If the forecasts are correct, the north-east trade wind will be a little too strong to reach the Strait of Malacca in one go. Once there, it will be interesting to see not only how the crews cope with the strong current, but also how the organisers deal with the problem of piracy.
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Qingdao lies directly upwind. First the teams have to cross the South China Sea directly against the north-east trade wind. Then the navigators have to decide whether to take the longer route eastwards around Taiwan to avoid the current upwind in the Taiwan Strait. Then the Yellow Sea is on the agenda, probably with light winds. Finally, Qingdao, where it is winter and where there may well be frost.
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The queen's stage, the longest leg ever sailed in this race. First the Yellow Sea, probably with a northerly wind, then the north-easterly trade wind promises long gennaker runs. Then the third equator crossing, again calm. Then the south-east trade wind, the subtropical high pressure area and an important decision: The race committee will set a waypoint at 36 degrees south. Depending on how far it is from Cape Horn, it may be worth sailing far to the south to catch a low-pressure area or taking the direct route north. As expected, there will be a storm at the Cape, then the South Atlantic High and finally, hopefully, a strong trade wind that will reach the destination.
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First the south-setting current on the coast of Brazil. Then the decision on how to sail around the eastern corner, Recife. Further out to sea there should be more wind, but the route is longer. Then the fourth equator crossing, again the doldrums. Towards the end, however, it should become easier. Once in the north-east trade wind, the only thing left to do is to avoid the western fringes of the Azores High.
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The classic transatlantic route. Low pressure areas and the Gulf Stream are almost a guarantee for speed records. The past has shown that whoever reaches the Gulf Stream first can gain a lead that is very difficult to catch up with.
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The first of the short stages. Whether the course leads north or south around the British Isles will only be announced before the start of leg 5. Some waypoints can be placed on the Dutch coast to keep the fleet together. Navigational challenges: the North Sea, often dominated by an area of high pressure in June, and the Skagerrak with its frequent weather surprises. There is only one short stopover in Marstrand, the exact length of stay is only announced in the sailing instructions before the leg.
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This leg runs entirely along the Swedish coast. It remains to be seen whether it will be sailed through the Belt or the Sound, but the many islands and course changes make this leg very attractive from a tactical point of view.
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The course to be sailed will be determined in the sailing instructions for this last leg according to the expected wind conditions. It should be between 350 and 500 nautical miles long. This flexibility is necessary in order to guarantee arrival in Russia on 27 June 2009.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
