Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's early break to the north had initially paid off and briefly put the team in the lead yesterday. Skipper Ian Walker attributed the better speed to an eddy in the Agulhas Current, which had pushed the Emirates boat faster than the others. But then Abu Dhabi dived into the zone with weaker winds first - the fleet positioned further east closed the gap and passed.
At the current position report this lunchtime there were less than 20 nautical miles between the first six teams, only SCA was already more than 30 nautical miles behind. Abu Dhabi sailed a slightly more easterly course than the rest, presumably to further reduce the transverse gap and thus minimise the risk of the field breaking away with the forecast wind freshening from the east.
The race is currently most exciting for the Mapfre and Dongfeng teams. They have been sailing just a few hundred metres apart for two days. "We can see the look on their faces," writes Mapfre reporter Francisco Vignale.
By now at the latest, most people seem to realise what it means to compete on standardised yachts. "The single class makes the race more exciting than ever before," writes Brunel's reporter Stefan Coppers. "We can see Mapfre and Dongfeng on the horizon. Even small improvements can make a decisive difference. Our Gerd-Jan Poortman has a little trick of his own. He pulls pilot lines into the mast instead of halyards. They are thinner and more aerodynamic, but above all they weigh significantly less than the heavy halyards, which is particularly useful when the boat is heeling heavily. In addition, the halyards pulled out can be stowed upwind and thus serve as ballast. Every little helps."
Sail repair at Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - filmed in the mast!
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing is also aware of the changed nature of the race. "The small advantage that greater experience might have given us is melting away with every second," writes reporter Matt Knighton. "Small speed advantages are becoming more important, good weather routing and a good dose of luck to get out of here first."
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
