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Volvo Ocean Race / Leg 7

Nervous Times

lundi 6 mai 2002 – Information Volvo Ocean Race

For SEB, whose break from the fleet put her out on her own, the next few hours will be critical. It’s hero or zero time for Gunnar Krantz’s team." It’s a nervous time for us on SEB as we find out if our breakaway move from the pack is going to pay dividends," wrote Gareth Cooke. "All fingers are crossed here."


On a lighter note, Gareth added : "Thankfully the well-flogged flying fish stories are a thing of the past but while blasting along at 25 knots during a spinnaker peel we experienced another fishy tale when Glen (it was a big day for him) was hit in the mouth by a garfish (otherwise known as a piper or as one wag described it, a baby swordfish) that was scooped up by the boat as it dug into a wave. Luckily for the fish it chose one of the rare moments when Glen’s mouth wasn’t engaged in conversation."

Illbruck has moved to cover her closest pursuers, Tyco and ASSA ABLOY, while the chasing pack of News Corps, Amer Sport One and djuice will be praying the leaders fall into a wind hole allowing them to close the gap. "It’s been pretty variable but we’re hoping the wind will start to build soon," Kostecki said this morning. "We’re looking behind us at Tyco and ASSA ABLOY - but we’re looking ahead as well."

In the battle for second place ASSA ABLOY and Tyco have been running neck-and-neck for several days, neither able to establish a clear advantage.

ASSA ABLOY’s Jason Carrington reflected : "With less than 1,000 miles to run things are tensing up a little. Tyco, our tuning partner is just ahead of us. She has shown great pace over the last couple of days, but still we seem to be glued to each other. Illbruck is in striking distance and the other guys are just behind, so at this stage it’s anyone’s race."

"This leg has been very hard on the boat and gear,"he added. "We have spent the majority of the leg with the pole on the headstay with all water tanks full - this puts max load on everything, including the crew. It really is very physical sailing."

Djuice and News Corps reported close encounters with whales yesterday. A potentially damaging collision - for both parties - is the last thing any of the crews want now.

The crews are starting to think about Europe, which they left about eight month ago. Enjoying the good food and lifestyle in the old world is high on the agenda. "It seems hard to believe but once we arrive in La Rochelle we only have about eight days sailing left in this round the world marathon - then what will we all do ?" Jason Carrington wrote from on board ASSA ABLOY.

The dismasted Amer Sports Too, meanwhile, was leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia, this afternoon on a ship for Antwerp, where she is due to arrive on 15 May. This gives Lisa McDonald’s crew 10 days to step a new mast and prepare for the start of leg eight. "It’s going to be tight but we have every expectation we will make it," said Nautor Challenge media manager Warren Douglas.

Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 9, 0956 GMT

PS Yacht Latitude Longitude DTF CMG SMG TFHR DTL DTL-C ETA PO
– 1 ILBK 47 54.64N 021 43.88W 842 65 5.8 250 0 0 09/05/02 05:18 49
– 2 TYCO 47 35.16N 022 27.32W 872 70 5.2 246 30 +3 09/05/02 07:40 34
– 3 AART 47 42.38N 022 28.74W 873 107 5.8 247 31 0 09/05/02 07:44 40
– 4 NEWS 47 54.68N 022 58.80W 892 97 5.7 263 50 -2 09/05/02 09:21 36
– 5 AONE 47 47.80N 023 02.92W 895 101 7.1 266 53 -10 09/05/02 09:33 36
– 6 TSEB 45 56.84N 022 55.52W 900 80 7 247 58 -10 09/05/02 09:56 24
– 7 DJCE 47 12.16N 023 35.08W 919 112 5.2 248 77 +4 09/05/02 11:26 23
– 8 ATOO 44 38.96N 063 34.24W 4512 0 0 152 3670 +32 No Data 10

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