Saturday 27 June 2009

VOR: ERICSSON 4 LEG TEN DAY 1 QFB; received 25.06.09 1328 GMT

by Guy Salter

So another jaunt into the unknown - Russia! Quite exciting in many aspects - the end of the race and the end of an adventure - all we have to do is hold out for the last day or so and get to St Petersburg in one piece.

Although we have completed our goal of winning the Volvo Ocean Race we will still be pushing as hard as normal onboard - there is no real off switch - we would desperately struggle to cruise Ericsson 4.

There seem to be a few changes in our galley curtain. Gone are the tea bags and cup soups and in there place are two bottles of port - which are strictly NOT for cooking, - but a nice small glass of port as we cross the finish line will be a pleasant way to end this race - after all we have a long motor to the customs dock in Russia.

The start loop is now complete and we are on the wind - in 12 kts of wind on a glorious sunny day. At present we have PUMA leading followed by Telefónica Blue directly in front and on our line. Behind us are Ericsson 3 and, a way to leeward, are the other three boats. It’s looking like the majority of this leg will be on the wind - something we seem to have done more than our fair share of on this lap.

So we are all settled in for the last leg - the stack is complete and the snacks are being handed around - Jules has just this second mentioned that we have 306 miles to go to the finish - that sounds like part time work to us - but I’m sure there are plenty of stories left in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09.

Stay Tuned

Volvo Ocean Race

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