Sport-heute: Sailing - STAGGERED START GIVES TELEFÓNICA EARLY ADVANTAGE ON LEG 4 STAGE 2

21. Februar 2012, 07:58

STAGGERED START GIVES TELEFÓNICA EARLY ADVANTAGE ON LEG 4 STAGE 2

CAMPER IS LEADER OF THE PACK Update

Team Telefónica led the fleet out of Sanya and into the most challenging stretch of the race so far after giving themselves a slim advantage to take into Leg 4 Stage 2 on Monday.PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, skippered by Ken Read from the USA leads the fleet of Volvo Open 70's, at the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race)

Sanya, 20.2.12 Red. (mk) Race organisers split Leg 4 into two stages and held the fleet in Sanya for over 12 hours because of dangerous weather conditions in the South China Sea, with forecasts of waves breaking over eight metres.

Leg 4 Stage 2, which will take the fleet over 5,220 nautical miles to Auckland in New Zealand, got underway at 0700 local time on Monday (2300 GMT/UTC on Sunday) and was staggered according to finishing times in Stage 1 along the Chinese coast.

That gave Telefónica a two minute 32 second head start over Groupama sailing team, who placed second in the 43.2 nautical miles sprint, and an even bigger advantage over the rest of the fleet.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing started third, followed by Team Sanya, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and finally PUMA who set off 39 minutes and 17 seconds after Telefónica.

“No doubt there will be some very big leftover waves,” said Team Telefónica watch leader Neal McDonald. “Despite the wind being a more manageable breeze I suspect there will be boat breaking conditions and we’ll need to be careful.”

Abu Dhabi skipper Ian Walker said his team had been especially careful in their preparations to make sure they were covered for the expected tough conditions.

“We’re ready for this,” said the British skipper. “We’ve worked through what we think are our weak points and we’ve moded the boat a little bit differently for stronger air and upwind for this leg.

“We’ve also made our life jackets more accessible and all our personal gear is set up for easy access in difficult conditions.’’

The fourth leg’s second stage is likely to prove the most tactically challenging of the race so far. Up to three weeks of testing sailing lie ahead of the six crews as they navigate their way through the South China Sea, out into the Philippine Sea, through the Doldrums and into the Tasman Sea.

Summing up the leg, race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante said, “It is going to be very tricky with many unknowns due to the dynamic nature of this section of the world’s oceans.

“From the tropics to the Tasman, the weather systems are fast moving and variable. It’s going to be one of the most tactical legs of the race so far with plenty of opportunities to reward bold tactical manoeuvres.”

According to Infante perfect timing will be required over the first three days to negotiate the tricky stretch of the South China Sea between Sanya and the Strait of Luzon.

Infante expects the extreme conditions of the previous few days to begin to lessen as the southerly located low dissipates over the next day or so.

However, this could leave behind a difficult sea state making it imperative that the fleet makes it through the Strait of Luzon as quickly as possible to hook into stronger steadier breezes from a newly developing low pressure system to the north east.

Infante says he sees a northerly route through the straits as the only viable option. “This way they can avoid the worst of the current, stay in the strongest breeze and avoid the chance of a wind shadow from the northerly tip of the Philippines,” he said.

Once out of the strait the fleet could have an opportunity to set themselves up perfectly for some fast sailing in the north east trade winds by making early rapid progress to the east.

"East is best," Infante said. "A well timed exit from the strait will enable the boats to take advantage of strong winds from a new, easterly moving low pressure system.

“If they get it right it will be like taking an eastbound train to line up perfectly for the north east trade winds.

"If they miss the train then they will be forced south closer to the island land masses of the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia where the trades are less stable and harder to predict."

The current ETA for the arrival of the six teams in Auckland March 8.

Overall	Points
1		Team Telefónica	101
2		CAMPER with Emirates Team NZ	83
3		Groupama Sailing Team	73
4		PUMA Ocean Racing by BERG	53
5		Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	43
6		Team Sanya	17

Update 20.2.12

VOLVO FLEET TAKES A BEATING IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

As Groupama 4 leads the fleet out into the South China Sea, probably the most dangerous section of the 5,220 nautical mile (nm) second stage of Leg 4 to Auckland, memories of racing in this region are high in the minds of many of the current competitors.

In the 2008-09 edition of the race, the crossing of the Luzon Strait, between the Philippines and Taiwan caused major damage to the fleet, something that everyone wants to avoid this time around.

Overnight the fleet had to deal with zephyr-like breeze of only five knots, which caused several lead changes as the fleet ducked and weaved through the light patches. But, as they began to edge away from the shelter of Hainan Island and out into open waters, the breeze steadily built and the wave height increased to between three and four metres.

Just 13.20 nm splits the fleet from Groupama 4 in first place, to last-placed PUMA’s Mar Mostro 13.2 nm off the lead. Already there is a lateral divide of 24 nm, from Telefónica in the north and Team Sanya in the south.

At 1000 UTC today, the six boats were slamming with a motion that was causing widespread seasickness for the first time in the race as the teams shortened sail to manage the speed of the inevitable crash landings off the waves.

Even so, average speeds hover around 11-12 knots across the fleet as the crews settle back into the rhythm of ocean racing in the northeasterly breeze.

“The trick is to back the boat off to a speed where you are much less likely to damage it,” explained CAMPER navigator, Will Oxley.

This is a very tricky leg with many unknowns due to the dynamic nature of this section of the world’s oceans. From the tropics to the Tasman, the weather systems are fast moving and variable. It’s going to be one of the most tactical legs of the race so far with plenty of opportunities to reward bold tactical manoeuvres.

The first 700 nm of racing, from Sanya to the Strait of Luzon, is going to be vital. The teams must survive strong winds and huge seas and picking the right upwind route could pay huge dividends later in the leg.

The extreme conditions are due to the presence of a high-pressure system to the north and a low-pressure system to the south, which will begin to lessen as the low dissipates.

This will cause a big left over sea, and the fleet will need to reach the Luzon Strait as quickly as possible to benefit from stronger, steadier breeze from a newly developing low-pressure system to the northeast.

“Nobody is really looking forward to a week or two of upwind slog – especially in these waves,” wrote Ian Walker from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam this morning.

1	GPMA	0.00	0	11.5	5090.9
2	CMPR	1.70	0	12.5	5092.6
3	TELE	3.10	1	12.3	5093.9
4	ADOR	4.60	1	12	5095.5
5	SNYA	8.20	0	11	5099.1
6	PUMA	13.20	0	11.8	5104.0

Update: 20.2.12 15.00

SICKNESS AND SLAMMING SET THE EARLY TONE ON LEG 4 SECOND STAGE

Leg 4
20/02/2012 13:06:43 UTC
DTL DTLC BS DTF
1 GPMA 0.00 0 10.8 5065.6
2 CMPR 1.50 0 11.3 5067.2
3 TELE 4.30 1 11.8 5069.9
4 ADOR 5.50 0 12 5071.1
5 SNYA 8.40 0 11.5 5074.0
6 PUMA 14.80 1 11.3 5080.5
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Sea sickness and waves as high as five metres are making life difficult for all six teams on the first day of the second stage of Leg 4 from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand.

Conditions on board have been brutal as the crews struggle to rein in their Volvo Open 70s to avoid teeth-rattling crash landings off the backs of the monster waves left over from several days of gale force winds.

A drifting start in the wind shadow of Sanya’s towering mountains belied the testing weather the crews found themselves in just hours later, after the wind and sea state quickly ramped powering them towards the Strait of Luzon at speeds up to 20 knots.

On Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Media Crew Member (MCM) Nick Dana said the unavoidable and relentless slamming made for a near impossible working environment on board.

“The airdrops we are experiencing off the backs of these sharp waves make it difficult to keep your feet below you let alone a sail or a steering wheel in your hands,” he said.

“We’re currently blasting along at around 18-20 knots with a J4 and reef in.

“Down below looks like a war zone. Several people have been sick already, and the rest just keep swallowing.”

Even Abu Dhabi skipper Ian Walker, a double Olympic medallist, confessed to feeling the effects of the punishing sea state.

“Today I had a hint of seasickness for the first time ever,” he said. “Fortunately I have kept the freeze dried roast chicken and mashed potato down so far unlike a few others onboard.”

Walker said the Abu Dhabi crew were not relishing the prospect of a fortnight-long battering but were settling into a normal offshore routine of grabbing sleep in between their four hourly watches.

“The snoring has started down below and the guys on deck are finding their rhythm,” he said. “Nobody is really looking forward to a week or two of upwind slog – especially in these waves, but we will cross off the miles and wait for better sailing somewhere further down the line.”

Race organisers split Leg 4 into two stages in order to prevent the fleet encountering conditions considered un-sailable in the South China Sea.

Conditions were light and fickle for the second stage start at 2300 UTC on Sunday (0700 today in Sanya), all but wiping out the effects of the staggered start sequence from the Stage 1 coastal race less than 24 hours previously.

Franck Cammas’ Groupama sailing team made the best of the early drifting to pick their way past overall race leaders Team Telefónica, skippered by Iker Martínez, and into the lead.

At 1300 UTC today Groupama had a lead of less than two miles over Chris Nicholson’s CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand, with third and fourth placed Telefónica and Abu Dhabi positioned furthest north just over a mile and a half apart.

The near windless start had given CAMPER an immediate opportunity to sail round round the wallowing early starters.

“We had to wait nine long minutes and 13 arduous seconds as Telefónica, Groupama, Abu Dhabi & Sanya all started before us,” said CAMPER MCM Hamish Hooper.

“As it turned out it became a slight blessing in disguise for us,” he added. “We could see that they were all a bit parked up not long after the start so knew we didn’t want to go the way they did.”

CAMPER leave Sanya still second in the overall standings and Hooper says despite losing points to leaders Telefónica during the Chinese stopover the predominantly Kiwi crew have been re-energised by the prospect of a victorious arrival in New Zealand.

“At times you feel like a block of cheese being rubbed up against a cheese grater, slowly withering you away physically and mentally, but the guys are resilient and focused, and it feels fantastic to finally be heading for home to Auckland.

“Our short-term goal for sure is to be the first out of the Luzon Strait. No need to guess our long-term goal,” Hooper said.

Ken Read’s PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, who started almost 40 minutes after Telefónica, were still in sixth at 1300 UTC, 14.5 nm off the lead.

Mike Sanderson’s Team Sanya made a tactical break to the south of the main fleet and at 1300 UTC were fifth, 8.4 nm behind Groupama and averaging 11 knots.

1	GPMA	0.00	0	10.8	5065.6
2	CMPR	1.50	0	11.3	5067.2
3	TELE	4.30	1	11.8	5069.9
4	ADOR	5.50	0	12	5071.1
5	SNYA	8.40	0	11.5	5074.0
6	PUMA	14.80	1	11.3	5080.5

Update 21.2.12

Leg 4
20/02/2012 22:02:55 UTC
	DTL	DTLC	BS	DTF
1			CMPR	0.00	0	10.5	4997.1
2			GPMA	0.70	1	11.5	4997.8
3			ADOR	7.00	1	10.5	5004.1
4			TELE	7.30	2	10.8	5004.4
5			SNYA	10.40	0	10.8	5007.5
6			PUMA	22.00	3	10.5	5019.

CAMPER IS LEADER OF THE PACK

After tacking north around midday today, at 2200 UTC tonight Chris Nicholson/AUS and CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand were the leaders of the pack as Volvo fleet bashes upwind across the South China Sea towards the ominous Luzon Strait, 446 nautical miles (nm) ahead.

The crew of CAMPER has always felt confident about the conditions faced on this leg, having trained in the rugged waters off Auckland, however there is no room for complacency in this fleet and Nicholson has to protect his position from a challenging Groupama 4 (Franck Cammas/FRA) who is just 0.7 nm astern and averaging one knot faster.

In third place, Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing is seven nm back and has overall race leader Telefónica nipping at his heels just .30 nm behind. PUMA in sixth has yet to make up their earlier deficit and is 22 nm adrift.

Mike Sanderson, skipper of fifth-placed Team Sanya, reported huge waves of around four metres tonight, but fortunately not accompanied by 40-knot winds. Instead, the maximum wind speed has been 17 knots. Sanderson and his men are 33 nm further south than PUMA’s Mar Mostro in the north, with tactical leverage over the fleet.

It’s been a horrible day of upwind slamming, the crew holding their breaths as the boats launch off steep waves and land with a sickening thud. Firehose conditions are back and several teams are suffering from seasickness, which does not add to the pleasure of this opening upwind stretch.

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The fleet of Volvo Open 70's power away from the line, at the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race)

Groupama Sailing Team, skippered by Franck Cammas from France docks out prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Dancers in the race village, during the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race

Dancers in the race village, during the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Musicians at the race village at the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Singing perform in the race village at the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Dragon at the dock during the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Departure ceremony Kapa Haka Group perform in the race village prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Crowds watch the Volvo Ocean Race sailors walking to the dock during the departure ceremony prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

Lou Bao Ming, Party Secretary, Hainan Provincial Committee of CPC: Chairman of Peoples Congress of Hainan and Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO wished good luck to the Team Telefonica, skippered by Iker Martinez from Spain prior to the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Sanya, China to Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Marc Bow /Volvo Ocean Race)

STAGGERED START GIVES TELEFÓNICA EARLY ADVANTAGE ON LEG 4 STAGE 2

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