The first leg threatens to become a duel. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel have increased their lead enormously since yesterday, to currently around 150 nautical miles and more over the chasing quartet. Between them is Vestas Wind, but the Danish team has also lost touch with a gap of almost 100 nautical miles.
In terms of the tactical situation, the English saying is: "The rich gets richer". In German, we simply say: "The donkey always makes the biggest pile." In other words: the leading duo is not only far ahead, it will also significantly extend its lead up to the waypoint Fernando de Noronha, 450 nautical miles away. With around twice as much wind as the quartet behind them, around 13 to 16 knots and over ten knots of speed, they are also almost twice as fast. The south-easterly trade wind should increase as they progress further south and turn back a little, so that both of them, who are now almost able to sail in a leeward direction, should arrive on the same bow. The pursuers, on the other hand, have escaped the worst of the doldrums but are still struggling with unsettled winds and have to tack in places. All in all, not a good starting position to catch up.
At first, the position in the centre proved unfortunate for Dongfeng, Alvimedica, Mapfre and SCA, as the wind was blowing to their right and left. Now, having escaped the doldrums, the wind is also turning on its nose.
Yann Riou, Dongfeng reporter, describes the feeling as follows: "The position report has just come in. And it hurts. For the third or fourth time in a row, we are one of the slowest boats. It feels like everywhere else is fine but where we are. Not easy to accept. The tension on board is palpable."
This video summary provides an impression of the Doldrums
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
