Sport-heute: Sailing - Es ist brutal!

16. März 2009, 18:18

Es ist brutal!

Eine unglaubliche Belastung für das Boot und uns!

Gegen 18m hohe Wellen und dies im 3 Sekundentakt. Dass ist die Grenze der Belastung für unser Boot und auch für uns Seeleute. Der Wind hat eine Stärke von gegen 50 Knoten angenommen - wir mussten das grosse Segel herunternehmen und auch vorne haben wir eines eingerollt. Aber auch so segeln wir mit über 20 Knoten durch das Wellental. Ungeheuerlich ist es. Das Wetter soll bleiben - schrecklich. Du wirst mit einer solchen Wucht hochgetragen und saust mit einer solchen Geschwindigkeit wieder hinunter - ein Sturzflug im Düsenjet ist das Nasenwasser! Im Moment ist es unmöglich Fotos zu machen. Wir müssen froh sein, wenn wir zwei - drei Meter auf und im Boot gehen können. - Ericcson 4 Jules Salter – Navigator.

Volvo Ocean Race, 16.3.09 (mk) Die Mails direkt aus der stürmischen Südsee.

Ericsson 3 Leg Five Day 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 1250 GMT

Another day in the Ericsson 3 office. Not an average day, but one of maybe 30 in this race where we sail on the borderline of what boat and crew can take. We are hanging on the back of the powerful low pressure system that moves with us towards Cape Horn. The weather forecasts do not describe the situation particularly well; the latest satellite picture show that we are much closer to the centre of the low than anticipated.

There are actually two centres, and we are almost between them - maybe only 50 miles from the headwinds on the other side. But I think the system will move away fast enough for us to stay in the favourable breeze behind the low.

As I am writing this, the wind speed average over the past hour has been 38 knots. 46-50 in the gusts, and they are frequent. Just before I got up from my bunk I noticed 56 on the instrument by the nav station. The sea was almost blown flat, it felt nice down below. I think this is a record wind speed for Ericsson 3 so far. We have throttled back completely, furled the headsail and are sailing with a bottom-reefed main only. Reaching along making 18-20 knots. We will hoist a small staysail when the breeze and sea state settles down a bit.

After a period of terrifying conditions like this, the guys on deck become very conservative for a long time. So I sometimes take the role of ‘pusher’, saying that it is time for more sail area. A bit before it actually is, so that we can be ready when the time comes. It is not the most popular thing to do at these moments.

Every hour, the main sheet trimmer comes down next to the nav station to rub some heat back into their hands again. Most of us have brought two pairs of gloves. One you can actually do stuff with on deck, and one warm. None of which goes well with the computer keyboard, but that is a small problem. I just found my HH hat in a pit of water in the bilge.

The boat's movements are violent, and one can feel how she twists in every wind gust or when landing after launching off a wave. It makes it hard to sleep. Most guys keep a nervous eye at the wind speed on the instruments down below while feeling and judging the impact of every wave. Dozing off every now and then. But it is much more comfortable than in the six degrees water on deck. The bunk and sleeping bag becomes one's ‘home’, the only private hiding spot onboard. Nothing is more disappointing than discovering that one's sleeping bag is wet. Then the off watch becomes a drying project instead. It has happened a few times to most of us during this leg.

The radar is searching for ice, but in these conditions the whole screen is covered in rain and swells. We have also kept a look out for the Portimao Global Ocean Race Class 40 boats that we just passed. I am sure it would be disappointing for one of the shorthanded sailors to be woken up by a VO70 surfing into their cabin.

Some 24 hours left now to a big moment for us sailors, the rounding of Cape Horn.

Aksel Magdahl – navigator

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PUMA LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 1424 GMT

We simply had to pay the toll before this great ocean would let us get off the exit.

The Southern Ocean finally showed up over the past couple of days, showing us just a little of what she is all about- heavy air running, finally what we came for but maybe a bit more than we had asked for.

All was going according to plan. il mostro was prepared to have couple days of breeze blow through - we were expecting up to about 40 knots where we were positioned on a tight low that was coming from the north. Sure enough, winds filled in right on schedule and building. We went through our sail transitions to plan. One small problem, Mother Nature wasn't letting us off the hook so easy..

We had a few good scheds in a row and I went to the bunk to catch a few minutes. When I woke, I looked up at the instrument panel in front of me at the nav station to see 43 knots of breeze.. Yikes, here we go. I went to the hatch and asked how everything was on deck and the boys looked reasonably in control.

Next thing you know we were skidding on our side a bit and I heard the flapping of the headsail. The boat came back down and the next thing I hear is ‘Kenny, grab this!’ And through the hatch comes half the steering wheel. I think this is the part where I throw in the ‘and the wheels were certainly coming off’ phrase.

Anyway, it turns out that Bob Greenhalgh was driving and in total control when a wave literally crashed over him from the side of the boat. It threw him and half the wheel across the cockpit into Erle Williams’ lap. On the way, his tether ripped right through the platform we stand on to drive. I think Erle tossed the sprawling Bob to the side and dove for the wheel on the leeward side - not in time as the boat was skidding sideways at about 30 knots. Broken wheel, broken jib, bunch of bent stanchions, and that pretty much threw us off our game for a bit of time and a lot of distance.

For example, just to get the wheels swapped out, we essentially had to take down nearly all the sails and steer with the emergency tiller. Not good. All bodies present and accounted for and thankfully very few bumps and bruises to the guys. By the middle of this we were reading a solid 50 knots at times. That's pretty windy especially down here where the cold wind seems far more potent and strong than normal.

So, we hung on tight and as yesterday passed the breeze slowly subsided to nice sailing conditions last night. The leaders got away a bit which is a shame. But, we live to fight another day. Jib was fixed in three hours by Justin Ferris, and Casey Smith had the wheel fixed (for the second time this leg, same wheel) underway within the hour. That wheel just came out and is on the port side just waiting for another go.

So, bottom line is that we have a little over 500 miles to go to this great Cape and the Southern Ocean has finally showed up and she ain't going to let us go without a bit of a bon voyage. A bit more breeze to come, but I have to admit that 30 knots seems like child's play compared to the breeze we had yesterday.

It’s the little things that put everything else into perspective.

Kenny Read - skipper
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TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 1217 GMT

We have been lucky so far, no major gales in this part of the world yet. In the previous races there were always one or two big storms, which we had sail through, but it looks like this time not too bad. That is one thing that has changed with these boats, you are actually looking for an area of not more than 30 knots of wind, as otherwise the sea state is a problem to keep high average speeds.

All the guys are now looking forward to get around this famous landmark, and getting out of here. It hasn’t been too bad temperature wise, but I think for some this is already cold enough. The heater has played up today and David (David Vera) was more than happy to spend the entire afternoon downstairs to try to get it going again. It is nice down here when it is up and running and sleeping is way more comfortable, especially since it seems you don’t need to pee so often. When you are cold, most of the guys have to pop up after two hours. A tough choice, stay in the warm bed, but nearly impossible to sleep, or get out. Put your boots on, and find a bucket or bailer and do your business. Then back to bed and sleeping is your reward.

The heater was running for a couple of hours but has stopped again; tomorrow is another day to have a look at it. Most likely again a hammer job, and a bash on the fuel pump, which was the fix this afternoon, (after David had the entire thing apart and still not running).

Bouwe Bekking - skipper
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ERICSSON 4 LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 0935 GMT

Yesterday will be remembered by all as a day when we got a good pasting from the Southern Ocean. In line with the forecast and from observations of the low we have been tracking, we met some of its mighty force today.. It’s all very well looking at the numbers and predictions and even the graphics on your laptop of the bright red wind barbs and orange shading move towards you, but reality is a lot harder and more uncomfortable.

The guys who are regularly on deck are showing signs of wear and tear from the constant salt spray and cold. People are tired as we have been at sea for four weeks now and the freeze dried diet and Chinese snacks don't really cut it in the energy stakes, especially as rations have been thinned as this leg will probably run its full 40 day course. This is when the crews dig deep to keep it all together in boat and people-breaking conditions.

Ryan Godfrey came below dripping wet in his survival suit goggles and harness and was halfway through telling me how short the sea was and how bad the nosedives were when the boat stood on end. I slid along my nav station seat and he disappeared mid-sentence and flew five metres and hit the mast bulkhead. The flying Adelaide atom was launched in his yellow jumpsuit like a human cannonball, luckily he was not hurt, but the effect is like being stood on a train when the emergency brakes get slammed on. It’s not the flight that, hurts but the deceleration when you meet something solid, like the mast, that hurts.

You plan well for the right sails up at the right time and reduce early but the three hour sked shows how hard the competitors are pushing so you have to as well which brings things close to the edge..

We only just managed to get reefs in at first light yesterday as the wind built to a sustained 42 knots, some of the gusts were over 55, but there was some shelter in the short swells which the low brought to us. These conditions test not only the boat and crew, but the whole campaign, every small detail, which minimises effort and time, is a potential boat saver. Good shore crew preparation is essential. Fortunately, we have this in our team and we came through the worst so far as the wind is now moderating and the sea state becoming more regular.

We did have some steering cable issues accompanied by the sound of cracking carbon and crushing nomex, but as ever Blood (Phil Jameson), Dave (Dave Endean) and Brad (Brad Jackson) rigged something pretty quickly to prevent loss of control of the vessel. A wipe out at 30+ knots doesn’t bear thinking about (although I do all the time).

The fleet has been stretched, but we are still hopeful of some more good points at the gate and opportunities on the long climb up to Rio. It looks like we will pass the cold grey Cape Horn in daylight and relatively close which will please those who like having their pictures taken and no doubt the marketers.

Jules Salter – navigator

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FURIOUS FIFTIES IN FULL FORCE

As the fleet heads down to 54 degrees south, Ericsson 3 has extended her lead in conditions that Green Dragon’s skipper Ian Walker describes as “brutal”. The fleet is barrelling towards Cape Horn, just under 400 miles away and less than 24 hours ahead.

Ericsson 4 is now 48 nm behind Ericsson 3, dropping 15 nm in the last 24 hours as the teams battle through the Southern Ocean, pushing boats and people to the limits. It’s far from just another day in the office; it’s the furious fifties in full force.

“It’s borderline of what boat and crew can take,” says Ericsson 3’s navigator, Aksel Magdahl. Ericsson 3 has measured a wind speed of a steady 38 knots over the last hour, with frequent gusts of 46 – 50 knots.

“I think this is a record wind speed for Ericsson 3 so far. We have had to throttle back completely, furl the headsail and are sailing with a bottom-reefed mainsail only,” explains Magdahl. The boat is still reaching at 18 – 20 knots and the team will hoist a small staysail once the breeze and sea state settles. Magdahl describes the conditions as ‘terrifying’..

“The boat’s movements are violent, and one can feel how she twists in every gust or when landing after launching off a wave.” He says that the crew becomes very conservative for a long time after sailing in the conditions like this.

Ericsson 4 has been piling the pressure onto the Nordic boat for some days now, and the crew is showing signs of wear and tear from the constant salt spray and cold. Navigator Jules Salter says that Ericsson 4 has had a good pasting from the Southern Ocean.

“In line with the forecast and from observations of the low we have been tracking, we met some of its mighty force today,” he said. “This is when the crews dig deep to keep it all together in boat and people-breaking conditions,” he said.

Green Dragon is also sailing conservatively to avoid the peak winds of the low pressure. Walker says that they have throttled back on several occasions as the slamming of the hull became intolerable.

“This will cost us precious miles, particularly as we are first to fall off the [weather] system, but it is a decision I am happy with. Deep in the Southern Ocean, a thousand miles from anywhere is not the place for hoisting the ‘hero’ flag,” he said.

Telefónica Blue however, has not had any major gales in their part of the world, 795 nm from Ericsson 3, even though they too are in the ‘furious fifties’.

“It looks like the weather isn’t set to give us too much of a beating in the next few days on the way down to the Horn, which comes as a relief to everyone onboard,” said Bouwe Bekking.

However, Ian Walker sums up the conditions for the rest of the fleet when he says:

“We will remain cautious and respectful of where we are in the world and boat we are in.”

Leg Five Day 31: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)

Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) DTF 2632 nm
Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +48
PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +174
Green Dragon IRL/CHI (Ian Walker/GBR) +262
Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) +795

Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) DNS
Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) DNS
Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS
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TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG FIVE DAY QFB: received 15.03.09 2343 GMT

Hi there,

This morning we entered the 'furious fifties'. Luckily for us though, right now they aren't too 'furious', but sufficiently windy to keep us on our toes!

The water temperature is steadily dropping, down now to only eight degrees. The sea and spray that comes over the boat has taken on a beautiful icy blue colour as the boat carves through the waves.

The gear is now well piled on although with so many layers you can easily find yourself sweating like a pig as any manoeuvre in all those clothes warms you up rapidly. The trick is then to not get too cold when you sit still again....

Despite all the top of the range wet weather gear, sometimes water seems to find its way in too.... Sometimes down you neck or up your sleeves, if you are really unlucky up a trouser leg! Needless to say, in a damp cold boat, drying out again is easier said than done, although by stuffing all your layers in the sleeping bag with you they end up damp and warm!

It looks like the weather isn't set to give us too much of a beating in the next few days on the way down to the Horn, which comes as a relief to everyone onboard. We find ourselves feeling slightly fortunate when we see the other boats dealing with 30-40 knots even if currently we are slightly slower, we are happy to be without that much wind. If the furious fifties continue to be not too furious that’s just fine with me!

Cheers,

Simon Fisher - helmsman

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GREEN DRAGON LEG FIVE DAY 31 QFB: received 16.03.09 0507 GMT

It’s been a fairly brutal 48 hours with winds consistently over 30 knots made up of cold air from the south. Add to this some very confused seas and it has been a perfect recipe for breaking boats, masts, sails and people.

We sailed a slightly conservative line to avoid the peak winds of the low pressure and have throttled back on several occasions as the slamming of the hull became intolerable. This will cost us precious miles, particularly as we are first to fall off of the system, but it is a decision I am happy with. Deep in the Southern Ocean 1000 miles from anywhere is not the place for hoisting the 'hero' flag.

Boat and crew remain in good shape and now that the wind is under 30 and the seas have flattened off we are able to hoist the spinnaker and push on again. It feels like this leg is nearly over but we still have 3000 miles to go and we need a boat in full working order..

Life onboard has improved in the last 12 hours with the conditions, but nobody will be sad to turn the corner and head north. Most clothes are wet, sleeping bags are damp, the boat is full of condensation so there is little reprieve down below.

There is little comfort in what food we have and emails from home or news from the outside world are the only things to break the monotony. There is noticeably less chat amongst the guys as everyone is in survival mode just personally trying to get through the next few days.

It looks like the elements are saving one last strong throw of the dice in the shape of more gale force winds, which will hit us just before the Horn. We will remain cautious and respectful of where we are in the world and the boat we are in. That is the way we are going to get to Rio fastest.

Ian Walker - skipper

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