Monday 20 April 2009

VOR: TELEFÓNICA BLACK LEG SIX DAY 8: received 18.04.09 1805 GMT


Great sailing conditions onboard Telefonica Black, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston. Image copyright Anton Paz/Telefonica Black/Volvo Ocean Race.

by Fernando Echávarri (skipper)

We are working really hard and I am replacing Mike Pammenter, so no too much time!
After 1000 nm the final outcome at Noronha was decided by two squalls at the last miles. Exhausted work done by all the team, who fell down just after the island, completely worn out. Yes, we were a little bit frustrated... no doubt.

We were quite close to being third at the scoring gate and it went away in the last minute.

From there, the conditions have been quieter. Crossing the Doldrums this time has been easier because it has been narrower and without stops, except for the presence of squalls. Depending where you were when it catches you, you can expect big gains or losses, and always with the fleet really close.

The Equator has been really funny, as always on this boat, with Roger Nilson featuring the main role as King Neptune and with a great performance. David Vera and Antonio Cuervas as pirates, and Pablo Iglesias and Anton Mons ... the victims: the result: chopped hair and a terrible potion to drink.

From the Equator to the point where we are just now, it seems we have started race again only a few hours ago, with a really short distance between the fleet.

Going fast, trimming and from last night the ‘bomberos con manguera’ –firemen with hoses - are aiming us. Our eyes seem to be tomatoes and we are fully soaked. We are going to have a full week like this, so maybe this time we will arrive with goose barnacles on our bodies.

All is ok onboard, except with my bunk. Agh! It has got broken and we are trying to organise enough room to sleep. Boat is Ok, the next days are going to be a reaching ones, going really fast ... but from there we are not really sure about what we are going to face.

Volvo Ocean Race

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