Winds over 20 knots, waves up to four metres and an ominous sounding "Black Tide" current continued to make life challenging for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet last night as Abu Dhabi's Azzam moved into second place on the leg to Auckland, New Zealand.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing were just four nautical miles behind Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand on a day Nick Dana, Azzam's media crew member, last night described as "just another Groundhog Day".
Just over 16 miles separated the six boats yesterday evening as the fleet continue to track north east towards the southern tip of Taiwan where they hope to exit the South China Sea.
Hamish Hooper, the Camper media crew member, reported on the Volvo Ocean Racing website about how difficult even the most basic and mundane task can be in the tumultuous conditions.
"Going to the toilet … in the bow of a Volvo Open 70 in 20 knots and dropping off three metre waves – both terrifying and exhilarating at the prospect of how badly things could go," Hooper wrote.
"We are sailing with a current of about two knots with us [which is good], but it's going against the swell [not so good], which creates such confused seas.
"Every now and then a set of large steep waves with no backs to them come along and the helmsman have to spin the boat on the crest of the wave so as not to crash directly off the back of it.
"We are continuing to sail a course, which regrettably is taking us further away from Auckland. It is something that has to be done if we are to minimise our time in the painful light air forecast for the while and to navigate our way as best we can across the three knot Kuroshio, or 'Black Tide' current which runs north past the Luzon Strait to the east of Taiwan and then north east to Japan - again the wrong way to Auckland … torture!"
Puma were last night at the back of the fleet and Amory Ross, their media crew member, said that predictions of a longer leg meant rationing of food and vital supplies had already begun.
"Our predicted 18 day leg has turned into a 20 day one, maybe even 21 or 22; it is hard to know as the models keep changing," Ross wrote.
* Agency
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
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