eam New Zealand Media Update: A nervous split

Emirates Team New Zealand Media Update: A nervous split

24 April 2012

A significant split in the fleet is leading to nervous time for CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand as the team wait to see what side will pay off.

With a large light airs transition zone blocking the fleet’s access to the trade winds the boats have split in search of wind – with CAMPER and Abu Dhabi staying inshore, while Groupama, Telefonica and Puma have headed east and offshore.

With 80 miles of lateral separation between the leading pair of CAMPER and Abu Dhabi, and the rivals in the south east the next 24 hours could prove to be crucial as it plays out who is in the best position to pick up the consistent trade winds.

In the fickle conditions and conflicting weather models CAMPER has had little choice but to stay inshore making the most of a favourable current, and hope that a wind shift allows the team to be far enough in front and with enough easting to hit the trades first.

However, there is also a risk that the more offshore group of boats will feel the benefit of the south east trades first and place CAMPER’s slim lead under pressure.

CAMPER navigator Will Oxley says that it’s a very tricky situation.

“All the boats with the exception of Abu Dhabi are in a line to windward of us. Conditions are very light and although we are wiggling away quite nicely for the time being it’s not clear how the next 24 hours are going to shape out.

“I have low confidence in the weather models at the moment as they are contradicting each other. It’s tricky situation so we just need to focus on boat speed and making the most of any favourable shifts we can get to preserve our lead.

“Everybody else is facing a similar dilemma though and I wouldn’t like to call right now who is in the best spot. However, if we can pick up a wind shift that we think is just ahead of us we should be in good shape.”

CAMPER in the latest position report at 1500h 24 April local time is in first place sailing at 6.8 knots in a 5.1 knot southerly.
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