Volvo’s race expert Mark Chisnell filled us in on the developing weather systems ahead, “If we look at the Predicted Route image for boat positions and weather in 24 hours time, there’s a channel of easterly breeze developing along the coast north of Ericsson 3’s position. It ought to hold up for the next 24-36 hours, then strengthen – and should eventually get everyone back to the Dragon out of jail. But there are still some big holes in the breeze out there, and it will only take a butterfly flapping its wings in the wrong place to really ruin their week!” Read more here Alongside the frustration at the lack of wind, the issue is now focusing on the lack of supplies onboard. Both food and fuel are in short supply and in order to reduce tension onboard the Dragon everyone has been handed their food supply for the next few days so they can be responsible for their own intake! This is a common theme amongst all of the boats as rationing and a strict discipline with the food starts coming into effect!
Update from onboard: “A bleak outlook, three days ago we had a pretty solid estimated time of arrival in Rio of the 25th March (two days time). We had a fast route according to the weather models. Next the wind heads too much to lay the Falklands and we lose precious hours having to tack through the islands. Following this a high pressure bubbles up right in our path and just behind that of the leaders. Negotiating this cost us a day. Still things were OK as we sailed upwind looking for a north westerly wind and a new low coming off the South American shore. This arrived last night as predicted but instead of bringing 15 knot winds and a route through the next high pressure it brought lightning and no wind. Now we are left with virtually no wind and none forecast for three days. We also have adverse current. We have 1000 miles to go and my most optimistic outlook right now is an ETA of six days. At times like this the race becomes secondary to survival. The fundamentals of our life aboard are power to make water and run the boats systems and food. We have been closely monitoring our power consumption and diesel reserves (the batteries are charged off the generator which runs on diesel) and we are confident this will not be an issue. To make sure we will consciously save power by closing down non-essential systems. As for food the picture is not so good. We started with 40 days and a week ago we split some food packs down to make another two days of food rations.
This would give us 42 or another three days from now. We may well need at least seven days and three into seven doesn’t go. When guys are tired and hungry there is nothing like food to create friction between them. As of today to prevent any arguments over who has eaten what we are splitting the food 11 ways and leaving each individual to manage their own food. We are already hungry and it will get worse - simple as that. That is life - nobody is going to die. On a brighter note we are currently moving at 6 knots pointing nearly at Rio which is the best VMC we have made for 12 hours and it is a beautiful sunny day. What more could you ask for?”
Skipper Ian Walker
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ("River of January” in English), is the second largest city of Brazil and South America, behind São Paulo, and the third largest metropolitan area in South America, behind São Paulo and Buenos Aires. It is the state capital of Rio de Janeiro. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and from 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. It is also the former capital of the Portuguese Empire (1808 - 1821). Commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa, or “The Marvelous City”.
Leg Five Day 38: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) DTF 590 nm
Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +72
PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +135
Green Dragon IRL/CHI (Ian Walker/GBR) +409
Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) +584
Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) DNS
Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) DNS
Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS
