Volvo Ocean Race, a passi lunghi e ben distesi

Volvo Ocean Race – Oceano Atlantico – Giunti oltre la metà del cammino sulla strada che porta a Boston, i protagonisti della Volvo Ocean Race tirano le somme di quanto fatto sino a oggi nel corso di questa sesta frazione. Indubbiamente invidiabile la posizione di Telefonica Blue, primo con oltre 100 miglia di margine su Ericsson 4, che continua ad essere incalzato da Ericsson 3 e Il Mostro.

Va comunque sottolineato che nel corso delle ultime ore il gruppo ha viaggiato un nodo più veloce del leader. Una differenza minima, che pare non impensierire l’equipaggio di Bouwe Bekking, sicuro del fatto suo almeno fin tanto che il meteo non cambierà umore.

Intanto da bordo si commenta l’attuale situazione e la si definisce divertente ma bagnata. Del resto la brezza soffia tra i 18 e i 20 nodi e sebbene il mare sia pressoché calmo, i VOR 70 in queste condizioni diventano molto simili a sottomarini.

Felice Aksel Magdahl, che ha riportato Ericsson 3 a ridosso dei primi nel momento cruciale della tappa, dopo un avvio in sordina.

Leg 6, day 7, 13.00 GMT, rankings
1. Telefonica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 2449
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +104 nm
3. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magus Olsson/SWE) +105 nm
4. Il Mostro USA (Ken Read/USA) +107 nm
5. Telefonica Black ESP (Fernando Echavarri/ESP) +140 nm
6. Team Delta Lloyd NED (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) +148 nm
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +150 nm

FAST MILES TO BOSTON
[Volvo Ocean Race Press Release] The halfway point on leg six of the Volvo Ocean Race has been reached and long-term leader, Telefónica Blue is in the enviable position of being able to watch the battle unfold over 100 miles behind them.

“We have been keeping pace with the guys behind which gives us some comfort, although we are still pushing hard to maintain our position,” noted helmsman Simon Fisher.

Telefónica Blue is at the same latitude as the island of Trinidad, but 1000 nm to the east and 1100 nm from the Caribbean island of Antigua. Behind them, the closest racing is between Ericsson 3, now in third place, just holding off Ericsson 4 who is a mile behind, and Puma who is three miles behind. Thirty-three miles back, Telefónica Black and Delta Lloyd are also engaged in combat with just eight miles separating the two, while Green Dragon is threatening, just two miles behind.

During the last three hours, the chasing pack has been averaging approximately a knot faster than Telefónica Blue has and it is Puma who has covered the furthest distance since 13.00 GMT yesterday, sailing 486 nm.

Puma‘s skipper, Kenny Read, describes the sailing as beautiful but wet, reaching in 18 – 20 knots of wind in the northeast trades, a band of wind about as predictable as any in the world. According to Kenny, it leads to a different style of sailing. “Not the ‘sail-changing world championships’ we have bad over the past week, this is more the ‘throw up all the rag you can and hold on’ style of sailing,” he says.

Ericsson 3 has made some gains on the fleet in the last 24 hours, moving up to second place. “We even gained on Ericsson 4, something almost unheard of,” explained navigator Aksel Magdahl. “We know what sails to use and have set the boat up nicely. We also have very strong helmsmen and trimmers, who can tweak a few tenths of a knot extra out of the boat,” he explained.

Leg 6, day 7, 13.00 GMT, rankings
1. Telefonica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 2449
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +104 nm
3. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magus Olsson/SWE) +105 nm
4. Il Mostro USA (Ken Read/USA) +107 nm
5. Telefonica Black ESP (Fernando Echavarri/ESP) +140 nm
6. Team Delta Lloyd NED (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) +148 nm
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +150 nm

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