Emirates Team New Zealand: From one extreme to another

Emirates Team New Zealand: From one extreme to another

8 November 2011

After a punishing beat out of the Mediterranean CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand has gone from one extreme to another with very light conditions confronting the boat as it heads down the African coast.

CAMPER after leading the fleet out through the Gibraltar Straits is currently sitting in fourth place making slow progress in three to four knots of wind.

The fleet has split with CAMPER and Groupama choosing to stick close to the African coast in search of the trade winds, while Puma and Telefonica have headed further offshore. However, overall it remains very tight with only 13 miles separating first and last place.

Skipper Chris Nicholson says that the focus now is on being the first boat to pick up the trade wind conditions.

"Currently this is anybody's race but a strong advantage will go to the first boat to get into the trade wind conditions and at the moment it seems as though closer in to the coast is the place to be.

"As frustrating as these light conditions are they have given us a much needed opportunity to dry the boat out and rest crew after what was an extraordinarily tough first 48 hours."

"I'm really happy with the way the boat has come through the conditions of the last few days and think it says a lot about just how tried and tested we are as a unit."

CAMPER at 1700h 8 November NZT is just south of Rabat on the Moroccan coast averaging 5/6 knots in a 4/5 knot North/North Easterly.

ENDS

© Scoop Media