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VOLVO OCEAN RACE – Camper and Abu Dhabi led the way on day two of the Leg 6 race from Itajaí to Miami on Monday, revelling in some close quarters action following a split in the fleet.
As forecast, the fast reaching conditions at the start of the leg were soon replaced by lighter south easterly airs.
At 1900 GMT on Monday, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand were in the north west, doing their best to shake off Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing just 1.5 nautical miles on their hip.
“We’re dead equal speed with those guys,” said an enthusiastic Chris Nicholson, referring to second placed Abu Dhabi.
His Abu Dhabi counterpart Ian Walker added: “We are just happy to be out here and racing boats alongside us for a change.”
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG have taken the middle road, while out to the east are overall leaders Team Telefónica and closest challengers Groupama sailing team with 37 nm lateral separation from the leaders.
Telefónica and Groupama are heading away from the Brazilian coast, expecting to avoid the fickle winds inshore, as well as the adverse current, and arrive at the trade winds in pole position.
“It’s potentially quite variable,” said cautious PUMA skipper Ken Read. “Nothing is quite set in stone, that’s why we’re not putting on the blinkers and heading off shore. I don’t know that anyone is 100 per cent sure what is going to happen here.” MORE STORY
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