Sport-heute: Sailing - ERICSSON 4 LEG FOUR DAY 10 QFB: received 27.01.09 1455 GMT

27. Januar 2009, 21:14

ERICSSON 4 LEG FOUR DAY 10 QFB: received 27.01.09 1455 GMT

ERICSSON 3 IN TROUBLE AS CONDITIONS DETERIORATE IN EAST CHINA SE --TEAM DELTA LLOYD HEADS TO TAIWAN WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE A

Another day of carnage on Ericsson 4! Trying to keep the boat in one piece has been our priority. Is not easy to keep the speed down and with these waves and wind we are constantly pounding heavily against the sea. The helmsman has to manage a nice heel angle to land as smoothly as possible not to compromise the structure.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2009, 27.1.09 (mk) We have been without instruments since Cabo Bojeador (Northeast of Philippines), four days already which makes things more difficult to steer safely, especially at night.

During the day, it was hard work trying to catch Ericsson 3, but unfortunately came the news that they were taking on water through a crack. As the news came through, a certain fever in checking every spot of our structure, especially knowing that our team mates boat has the same structure as ours.

The game continues to try to gain on Telefónica and keep Puma covered. From the benefit of a right shift, we manage to make some miles on Telefónica and we are still working hard to have them in a position where we have some cards to play at the end. Fortunately, China is getting closer and the wind has slowed down allowing us to push as hard as we can for the last three hours.

Time to go, just came from my watch and looking forward for some rest on my bunk. It is not easy!! You need special skills to have a rest on these boats or be so tired that you just fall asleep.

Cheers

Horacio Carabelli - trimmer

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ERICSSON 3 IN TROUBLE AS CONDITIONS DETERIORATE IN EAST CHINA SEA

We have been without instruments since Cabo Bojeador (Northeast of Philippines), four days already which makes things more difficult to steer safely, especially at night.

During the day, it was hard work trying to catch Ericsson 3, but unfortunately came the news that they were taking on water through a crack. As the news came through, a certain fever in checking every spot of our structure, especially knowing that our team mates boat has the same structure as ours.

The game continues to try to gain on Telefónica and keep Puma covered. From the benefit of a right shift, we manage to make some miles on Telefónica and we are still working hard to have them in a position where we have some cards to play at the end. Fortunately, China is getting closer and the wind has slowed down allowing us to push as hard as we can for the last three hours.

Time to go, just came from my watch and looking forward for some rest on my bunk. It is not easy!! You need special skills to have a rest on these boats or be so tired that you just fall asleep.

Cheers

Horacio Carabelli - trimmer

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TEAM DELTA LLOYD HEADS TO TAIWAN WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

Team Delta Lloyd, has been forced to head to Keelung in Taiwan with damage to the bow section of the boat. The boat was in
fourth position on leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race from Singapore to Qingdao when the decision was made to turn back.

In 30-knots of breeze and big waves, David Pella from Spain discovered a crack in the bow bulkhead, which gives the hull its strength. The bow also showed some signs of delamination. A few hours earlier, the mainsail had been torn again. The combined factors resulted in the inevitable decision to take shelter. Team Delta Lloyd is currently 14 nm from Keelung City in the northeast of Taiwan and expects to arrive in approximately two hours time. The team has not officially suspended racing so far and will carryout further inspection to the boat once in Taiwan.

'We are very disappointed, as we really wanted to do well in this leg. But Chuny (skipper Roberto Bérmudez/ESP) did want not to take any risks in terms of the crew's safety,' explained Media Crew Member Sander Pluijm/NED.

'At the time we discovered the damage, we were sailing under storm jib and with three reefs in the main. It would have been irresponsible to continue racing, especially with the cold Chinese weather coming up. We informed the coast guard and put the safety procedure into operation,' he said.

'Due to the delamination, the hull is absorbing water, which softens the bow which might break by wave slamming. That is the biggest risk now. The pumps are ready
to use, so we won't sink,' Pluijm added. The crew has closed the watertight bow compartment as a precaution.

Earlier today, Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE) experienced similar problems to Delta Lloyd and has already arrived safely in Keelung City and officially suspended racing from this leg.

Leg Four Day 10: 1900 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)

1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 422 nm
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +27
3. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +30
4. Delta Lloyd NED/IRL (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) +250
5. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +289
Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) SUS
Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando EchÃ¡varri/ESP) DNF
Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

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Guy Salter/Ericsson 4/Volvo Ocean Race Dave Endean onboard Ericsson 4 in 45 knots of wind, on leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Singapore to Qingdao, China

Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race Tacking and stacking carry on after the big storm onboard Telefonica Blue, on leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Singapore to Qingdao, China

Gustav Morin/Ericsson 3/Volvo Ocean Race Ericsson 3 getting closer to the Taiwan coast on leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Singapore to Qingdao, China

Gustav Morin/Ericsson 3/Volvo Ocean Race Ericsson 3 are the latest to turn around on leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, giving up their second place and heading for Base Camp after structural damage saw them start to take on water. But a combination of emergency repair work and the bilge pumps have the situation under control, and they will be moored up in Taiwan very soon.

Gustav Morin/Ericsson 3/Volvo Ocean Race (l-r) skipper MAgnus Olsson (SWE) and bowman Martin Krite (SWE)