Team Telefonica is almost unstoppable. The tactical situation (see below) is clearly in the Spaniards' favour. Only Bruch can stop them.
However, Team Puma Ocean Racing recently proved just how quickly this can happen. A broken mast threw the Americans out of the race, they abandoned the leg and tried to reach Tristan da Cunha under emergency rig and engine. However, the diesel on board would not have been enough. The crew took diesel canisters from the 257 metre long freighter "ZIM Monaco" via a line system. The video shows how this was done in the Old Atlantic swell. A pack of T-shirts was given to the freighter crew as a thank you.
Puma Ocean Racing takes over diesel canisters from a freighter
Three to four days under engine await the team. At the Volcano Islands, they then encounter a freighter that has been dispatched from Cape Town and is equipped with a special rig. The damaged boat is to be hoisted on board by crane and reach Cape Town as deck cargo.
The reports of breakages and tasks dominated this stage right from the start. However, those who are still interested in the purely sporting value of the race will get their money's worth.
The wide arc to the south has proved to be the right one. A cold front roared in from the south-west and the Spanish team Telefonica felt the first foothills. During the last 24 hours, the lead over the defenders was extended, five nautical miles to Camper to a total of 107 nautical miles, Groupama lost another 25 nautical miles and is now 313 nautical miles behind.
Telefonica is veering further and further to the east, and from a tactical point of view, the first stage is actually decided. With the approaching wind, the Spaniards should continue to gain ground. This is best illustrated by the Race Viewer track. All you have to do is switch on the wind forecast and fast-forward. The forecast for the direction and speed of the cold front can be seen very clearly. The screenshots show exactly how this works.
Meanwhile, Team Sanya is working under time pressure to repair the delaminated hull. A new bow section is currently being baked in Cape Town, which will then be laminated to the remaining hull.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
