Team New Zealand Media Update: 1000 miles to go

Emirates Team New Zealand Media Update: 1000 miles to go

14 April 2012

CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand’s has less than 1000 nautical miles (nm) to go in in this marathon Leg Five of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Almost a month after leaving Auckland CAMPER is edging out of the Southern Ocean and towards Brazil. In the last 24 hours a warm current has pushed temperatures aboard up and the crew have been shedding jackets and layers of clothing as they make the most of the warmer weather.

The team have notched up more than 350 nm in the past 24 hours as the average wind speed dropped to 14 knots and the maximum rested at about 20 knots, well below the 60 knots that battered them at Cape Horn a few days ago.

The current estimated time of arrival for CAMPER in Itajai is April 17. If they successfully finish the leg they will receive 15 points, sending them back to third place on the overall leaderboard.

CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson says that all the effort to complete Leg Five will be worthwhile.

“At the end of the day it keeps us in the hunt and keeps us competitive. We’re only halfway through the points in this race so it’s vital we grab everything that we can. To be sitting in third at this stage of the game isn’t too bad.

“But finishing this leg is about more than points – it’s about pride as well. It has been hard on the guys but everybody has dug in and is determined to finish it.

“The world seems a small place at times in these boats. Four days ago we were in Chile, all of a sudden we have rounded the bottom of the world via Cape Horn, sailed past the Falkland Islands and are just over 1000 miles away from our destination in Brazil. Before we know it we will be in Miami, Florida in North America.

“You can never give up in this race and as a team I think we’ve demonstrated that pretty well. The schedule in Brazil is going to be pretty tight and we’re probably going to have only the one day off but there’s no reason why we can’t come out and deliver a top result in the in-port race, That’s certainly what we’re aiming for.”
CAMPER in the latest position report at 1100h 14 April NZT is sailing at 11.5 knots in a 14.7 knot north westerly.

Pictures of CAMPER, video footage and audio files are available upon request. Further information and race updates will be available on our blog and on our Facebook page

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