Volvo Ocean Race - Fleet awaits a solid right-hand shift

by Volvo Ocean Race on 1 May 2015

Leg six to Newport onboard Team Alvimedica. Day 10. True tradewind sailing in 20-25 knots and warm tropical water has everyone smiling,despite occupying the rear of the fleet. Fast flat water sailing in 20 knots of wind. - Volvo Ocean Race 2015 Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica

Volvo Ocean Race - The fleet has exhibited much more subtle behavior in the past 12 hours. The six teams are eagerly awaiting a very solid right-hand shift north. The shift will eventually free them on starboard; resulting in a gybe onto port in about 48 hours.

Even though the boats to the right should gain more than the teams to the left, MAPFRE was the most easterly right-hand boat and has soaked down into the middle of the pack.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing has also closed down on Dongfeng Race Team and Team Brunel to the southwest. Dongfeng Race Team continued to push hard, taking the lead again by 0.5 of a nautical mile. It’s nip and tuck at the front of the pack.

The fleet is now just under 2,000nm to the finish in Newport.

Reading the Volvo Ocean Race team web pages, I noticed that Adil Khalid’s secret talent is drag racing - he used to take part in it when he was 15 and 16 in the United Arab Emirates. This next section of the leg will resemble a drag race between the front pack of Dongfeng Race Team, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Brunel and the chasing MAPFRE, Team Alvimedica and Team SCA.

Time will tell if any of his drag racing skills have rubbed off on his team, or should Adil downplay his exciting past?

Leader: DFRT
Wind speed: 19 knots
Boat speed SOG (15 mins): 17 knots
Wind direction: 073º - 079º
Lowest boat speed: SCA (17.9 knots)
Highest boat speed: DFRT (19.2 knots)
Lowest wind speed: SCA (14.6 knots)
Highest wind speed: DFRT (19.7 knots)

Position report at: 30 Apr 18:40 UTC / Updated 3 hourly	DTL (NM)	GAIN/LOSS (NM)	DTF (NM)	Speed (kt)
Dongfeng Race Team	0.0	0.3	1987	19.2
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	0.5	0.5	1987	19.1
Team Brunel	22.7	4.7	2010	18.8
MAPFRE	28.6	6.9	2015	18.1
Team Alvimedica	48.2	4.8	2035	18.7
Team SCA	55.6	6.1	2042	17.9
Team Vestas Wind	DID NOT START