The final countdown

Emirates Team New Zealand Update: The final countdown

7 April 2012

After three days of non-stop work CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand’s pit stop is entering its final stages with the team expected to depart Puerto Montt early evening NZT (April 7).

The substantial repair job is now complete with the new bulkhead and longitudinals installed, and they are now being cured or ‘cooked’ a process which involves blowing hot air over the repaired areas in order to set the resin.

This is expected to take another five or six hours and over that time the crew will also give the boat a thorough clean to remove debris from the repair job, and load provisions and gear for the almost 3000 nautical mile trip around Cape Horn to Itajai in Brazil to complete Leg Five.

CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson says that the team is ready to go.

“The repair job is looking great and we’ve got complete confidence in it. The welcome and support here in Puerto Montt has been amazing and we’re refreshed and ready to get back on the road. It has been a very good stop.

“I just can’t over emphasise how great the shore team have been. To have this job done to this level in basically three days is pretty incredible. Now it’s time for us to do the hard work and the sleepless nights.

“We’re now focused on getting into the final stage of this marathon and joining the other guys in Itajai as soon as possible, with as many points as possible.

“At the moment we’re looking at about a nine or ten day trip and for the time being the weather systems don’t look too bad for us. Having said that you’re always very cautious going around Cape Horn as this time of year, but hopefully a few things line up for us and we have a good trip.”

ends

© Scoop Media