LEG 5 DAY 13 - We are Glued to E3
The days are clearly starting to tick away, and I believe we have our friends on E3 to thank for that.
Literally, we are in a race with them which couldn't be closer. I have won or lost by larger margins on 12 mile windward leeward at Key West Race Week. They get us a bit, we get them a bit. Bottom line, we are glued to each other.
So what does that do? Sure does heighten the concentration and awareness. We probably do more sail changes than we would if we were on our own (maybe), constant watching the radar to see our progress and check modes, and much more chatter and trim about the job at hand. Even Jerry has cut down a bit on the stories in order to be vigilant. Sure I wish they were about 300 miles astern, but at the same time we are probably helping each other sail more efficiently and aggressively- and certainly passing the time quicker than we would be on our own.
As for general strategy, we have a pretty large island called Fiji smack in the way. A bit of precarious weather around the island will make for a huge gain or loss depending if you guess right for the short or long term. Capey has been racking his brain overtime trying to figure this one out. As always, I sit there and throw as many questions at him possible to try and get all options on the table. We shall see how this one settles out.
Besides that, life is pretty calm on the yacht, 12 knot winds, hard on the wind on port tack makes for painfully slow mileage but that is what we have in the "upwind around the world race". Hopefully the wind gods smile on us soon and free us up, but it doesn't look like that will happen for a while. Until then, it is back to hand to hand battle with E3.
- Kenny
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta volvo ocean race. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta volvo ocean race. Mostrar todas las entradas
jueves, 26 de febrero de 2009
lunes, 23 de febrero de 2009
PUMA fighting for the lead during longest leg of Volvo Ocean Race
PUMA’s first week at sea during the epic 40 day leg from Qingdao, China to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the longest ever leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, has been wet and wild. In negotiating their way from freezing China to pass the southern tip of Japan en route into the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean on earth, the PUMA Ocean Racing team and close rival Ericsson 4 have been sailing barely more than a few miles apart. However, the upcoming equator crossing, which almost always goes hand-in-hand with light winds, is likely to shake up the fleet.
Early next week, the PUMA Ocean Racing team will cross the equator for the third time during this race, as they delve south towards New Zealand and on towards the notorious sailing landmark, Cape Horn. Once more the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is daring to sail into the unknown, no professional yacht race having ever taken this route around the planet before. The tactical decisions made by the team, led by Skipper Ken Read (USA) and Navigator Andrew Cape (AUS) will decide the team’s fate in this section of the 12,300 nautical mile leg.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “The competition out here is phenomenal. You would think that in a 12,000 plus mile leg you could get out and spread out and relax a bit... anything but that. We live and die on every three hour sched [position report] to see how our efforts have been rewarded, or not. It is a huge ocean out here. One thing we also have to contend with is zero knowledge of the distant future with regard to weather. Capey spends all his time trying to see into a crystal ball with regard to planning our path now with regard to where we want to be a week or even more from now. It’s pretty tricky stuff.”
“I have been in some smelly situations, but the interior of this boat is rapidly passing them all as a top player in this weeks "smelliest place on earth". Essentially we left Qingdao with everything on our bodies we owned. It was cold, and for two days, very wet. Even with great outer wear, which I have to plug our buddies at PUMA for knocking it out of the park on their first attempt, everything is damp. And occasionally wet. The entire interior is wet, and everywhere you sit is wet. Thank god for PUMA shorts with gortex butt pads.”
And there hasn't been a single second of drying since the start. Blasting across to Japan...drenching. From Japan through the Black Current...warmer but still very wet on deck. Since then? Non-stop spray. Of the fire house variety. Zero chance of getting stuff out to dry out the moisture. Water to the face that is and consistent pounding of the bow into every wave. The temperature has now gone from reasonable to quite hot - and you have a pretty sketchy odour right now. By the way, none of us humans smell very peachy either for that matter.”
Leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race is expected to take 35 – 40 days to complete. The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
Early next week, the PUMA Ocean Racing team will cross the equator for the third time during this race, as they delve south towards New Zealand and on towards the notorious sailing landmark, Cape Horn. Once more the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is daring to sail into the unknown, no professional yacht race having ever taken this route around the planet before. The tactical decisions made by the team, led by Skipper Ken Read (USA) and Navigator Andrew Cape (AUS) will decide the team’s fate in this section of the 12,300 nautical mile leg.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “The competition out here is phenomenal. You would think that in a 12,000 plus mile leg you could get out and spread out and relax a bit... anything but that. We live and die on every three hour sched [position report] to see how our efforts have been rewarded, or not. It is a huge ocean out here. One thing we also have to contend with is zero knowledge of the distant future with regard to weather. Capey spends all his time trying to see into a crystal ball with regard to planning our path now with regard to where we want to be a week or even more from now. It’s pretty tricky stuff.”
“I have been in some smelly situations, but the interior of this boat is rapidly passing them all as a top player in this weeks "smelliest place on earth". Essentially we left Qingdao with everything on our bodies we owned. It was cold, and for two days, very wet. Even with great outer wear, which I have to plug our buddies at PUMA for knocking it out of the park on their first attempt, everything is damp. And occasionally wet. The entire interior is wet, and everywhere you sit is wet. Thank god for PUMA shorts with gortex butt pads.”
And there hasn't been a single second of drying since the start. Blasting across to Japan...drenching. From Japan through the Black Current...warmer but still very wet on deck. Since then? Non-stop spray. Of the fire house variety. Zero chance of getting stuff out to dry out the moisture. Water to the face that is and consistent pounding of the bow into every wave. The temperature has now gone from reasonable to quite hot - and you have a pretty sketchy odour right now. By the way, none of us humans smell very peachy either for that matter.”
Leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race is expected to take 35 – 40 days to complete. The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
lunes, 16 de febrero de 2009
PUMA lead the fleet out of China
February 14, 2009 – True to form, PUMA today led the Volvo Ocean Race fleet out of Qingdao, China, at the start of the longest ever leg in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race. As the fog lifted and the breeze freshened, PUMA led Ericsson 4 and Green Dragon round a five mile course just off the headlands of Qingdao, before heading out to sea, en route to Rio de Janeiro, 12,300 miles away.
The team left after a spectacularly ceremonious departure, which saw the eleven PUMA sailors parade the ‘Emperor’s Walk’ along Qingdao’s ‘Great Wall of China’ to the beat of several hundred drummers. The Mayor of Qingdao offered each of the team’s skipper’s gifts, while a flock of doves, symbolizing peace, were released and flew over the crowds. Scenes on the dock before departure were somber, as the PUMA Ocean Racing team considered the long journey ahead.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “This leg is going to be a real adventure, as well as a boat race. We’re looking forward to going round the tip of Japan, down the Ring of Fire, and down to Cape Horn, and all the other really cool things that are out there. These are all places that we may never go for the rest of our lives.”
“It’s going to be a windy drag race out of here for the first few days, so we’ll be concentrating on keeping the boat in one piece. I’m really looking forward to sailing for 35 to 40 days. Though none of us have sailed this exact course before, coming out of China and down the Pacific, we’re fortunate enough to have guys like our navigator Capey [Andrew Cape, AUS] who have a lot of experience sailing in the second half of this leg. We rely on guys like Capey, a lot.”
“As I’ve said all along, we just have to be there in the end to give ourselves an opportunity in this race. This leg is long and it will be hard, but we just have to get there in one piece. We don’t have to win every leg to win this race, but just give ourselves a shot. By staying on the podium, developing our boat and our team, that’s the way to do it.”
“China has been great. The hospitality we’ve been shown by everyone we have met here has been amazing. From the day we arrived, until leaving today, it’s been a wonderful experience. A lot of our families aren’t here, though my wife is, and none of us have our kids here. You see less tears on the dock today, it’s a little easier this way, as people know we’re going away for a long time.”
Leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race is expected to take 35 – 40 days to complete. The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
PUMA Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Five, Qingdao – Rio de Janeiro:
Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) Watch Captain
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Erle Williams (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Michael Müller (GER) Trimmer/Pit
Jerry Kirby (USA) Bowman
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman
The team left after a spectacularly ceremonious departure, which saw the eleven PUMA sailors parade the ‘Emperor’s Walk’ along Qingdao’s ‘Great Wall of China’ to the beat of several hundred drummers. The Mayor of Qingdao offered each of the team’s skipper’s gifts, while a flock of doves, symbolizing peace, were released and flew over the crowds. Scenes on the dock before departure were somber, as the PUMA Ocean Racing team considered the long journey ahead.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “This leg is going to be a real adventure, as well as a boat race. We’re looking forward to going round the tip of Japan, down the Ring of Fire, and down to Cape Horn, and all the other really cool things that are out there. These are all places that we may never go for the rest of our lives.”
“It’s going to be a windy drag race out of here for the first few days, so we’ll be concentrating on keeping the boat in one piece. I’m really looking forward to sailing for 35 to 40 days. Though none of us have sailed this exact course before, coming out of China and down the Pacific, we’re fortunate enough to have guys like our navigator Capey [Andrew Cape, AUS] who have a lot of experience sailing in the second half of this leg. We rely on guys like Capey, a lot.”
“As I’ve said all along, we just have to be there in the end to give ourselves an opportunity in this race. This leg is long and it will be hard, but we just have to get there in one piece. We don’t have to win every leg to win this race, but just give ourselves a shot. By staying on the podium, developing our boat and our team, that’s the way to do it.”
“China has been great. The hospitality we’ve been shown by everyone we have met here has been amazing. From the day we arrived, until leaving today, it’s been a wonderful experience. A lot of our families aren’t here, though my wife is, and none of us have our kids here. You see less tears on the dock today, it’s a little easier this way, as people know we’re going away for a long time.”
Leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race is expected to take 35 – 40 days to complete. The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
PUMA Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Five, Qingdao – Rio de Janeiro:
Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) Watch Captain
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Erle Williams (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Michael Müller (GER) Trimmer/Pit
Jerry Kirby (USA) Bowman
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman
lunes, 9 de febrero de 2009
Podium position for PUMA in Qingdao
February 9, 2009 – PUMA today finished the Qingdao In Port race in third place, sailing in very light winds and thick fog in China. After racing was postponed on both Saturday and Sunday due to lack of wind and poor visibility, the third In Port race of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 finally got underway today in just four to six knots of wind. Finishing third in each of the two races, PUMA Ocean Racing, led by Skipper Ken Read (USA) took third place overall, earning three points. The team remains in third place overall going into leg five, which begins next Saturday, February 14th.
Just four of the seven boat Volvo Ocean Race fleet competed in the Qingdao In Port race, as the only boats to have made it to China at the end of leg four. Each boat therefore picks up valuable points on the remainder of the fleet. Leg five from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro, which starts next weekend, is the longest leg of the entire race. The PUMA Ocean Racing team plan to spend the week making final preparations for the epic forty day leg, by switching from ‘in port’ to ‘offshore’ mode, loading the boat with sails, spares and provisions for the long leg. The race crew will also take some time to rest and relax before the marathon leg ahead.
Skipper Ken Read commented: “Today was a tricky day. Those weather conditions are the worst possible Volvo 70 sailing conditions you could have. These boats are what you call ‘sticky’ in that stuff – they’re not designed for this kind of sailing. Light conditions are hard work from a crew standpoint and it’s not good for spectators either. We had two bad starts, so it’s disappointing for us not to have done a little better, however, the crew sailed well to give us a podium finish, and from an overall competitive standpoint, it was good to get the In Port racing in. It means we benefit from the fact we managed to finish the last leg by gaining points on those boats who haven’t made it here [Telefonica Black, Ericsson 3 and Delta Lloyd].”
“Now we can really focus on the getting ready for this really, really long leg ahead of us. Leg five to Brazil is over 12,000 miles, longer than any other leg of the race, so we have a lot to do to ensure we’re as best prepared as possible. The race crew will take some time to rest, so that we’re physically and mentally geared up for the leg ahead, and as a team, we have a lot to do to make sure our boat il mostro is ready for the trip too. This leg will be tough, and will take its toll on all of us, but we’ll be ready for it come Saturday.”
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
Just four of the seven boat Volvo Ocean Race fleet competed in the Qingdao In Port race, as the only boats to have made it to China at the end of leg four. Each boat therefore picks up valuable points on the remainder of the fleet. Leg five from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro, which starts next weekend, is the longest leg of the entire race. The PUMA Ocean Racing team plan to spend the week making final preparations for the epic forty day leg, by switching from ‘in port’ to ‘offshore’ mode, loading the boat with sails, spares and provisions for the long leg. The race crew will also take some time to rest and relax before the marathon leg ahead.
Skipper Ken Read commented: “Today was a tricky day. Those weather conditions are the worst possible Volvo 70 sailing conditions you could have. These boats are what you call ‘sticky’ in that stuff – they’re not designed for this kind of sailing. Light conditions are hard work from a crew standpoint and it’s not good for spectators either. We had two bad starts, so it’s disappointing for us not to have done a little better, however, the crew sailed well to give us a podium finish, and from an overall competitive standpoint, it was good to get the In Port racing in. It means we benefit from the fact we managed to finish the last leg by gaining points on those boats who haven’t made it here [Telefonica Black, Ericsson 3 and Delta Lloyd].”
“Now we can really focus on the getting ready for this really, really long leg ahead of us. Leg five to Brazil is over 12,000 miles, longer than any other leg of the race, so we have a lot to do to ensure we’re as best prepared as possible. The race crew will take some time to rest, so that we’re physically and mentally geared up for the leg ahead, and as a team, we have a lot to do to make sure our boat il mostro is ready for the trip too. This leg will be tough, and will take its toll on all of us, but we’ll be ready for it come Saturday.”
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
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