Letzter voller Tag an Bord der Mar Mostro auf offener See

BUGRICHTUNG: 319 Grad
WINDGESCHWINDIGKEIT: 22,7 Knoten
BOOTSGESCHWINDIGKEIT: 21,1 Knoten
ENTFERNUNG VOM FASTNET-FELSEN: 80 Meilen
ENTFERNUNG ZUM ZIEL: 250 Meilen

Ich denke, ich sollte mich gleich vorab entschuldigen, bevor ich weiterschreibe: Bisher gehörte Schlaf nicht unbedingt zur 9. Etappe und es ist momentan recht schwierig, etwas anderes zu tun, als die Augen offen zu halten.

Hier sind wir nun also ... am letzten vollen Tag des Volvo Ocean Race (auf offener See). Wir wussten beim Ablegen in Lorient, dass es aus mehreren Gründen eine anstrengende Etappe werden würde, und bisher war dies auch der Fall. Dichtes Segeln, heftiges Wetter, kurze Etappe und hohe Intensität ...

With the top four positions still to be determined, each point remains crucial. Consequently, this legs' 30 points are valuable enough to make all of us spend last night sitting (or lying) on the rail. That would be alright if we were passing the Bahamas, or Fiji, but we're close-reaching through the English Channel in 25 knots of wind, rain squalls, and shivering-cold temperatures. It's just another lovely July day on the way to the Irish Sea. Ugh! One final bashing for us and the old girl.

Following a solo split from the fleet before sundown in search of better winds and more favorable angles to the west, we found ourselves back in the game through the worst of it and we even managed to catch up with the leading pack. Out of the fog cane Groupama to leeward, and we slowly worked our way over the top of them before fading towards Fastnet in the fog. We shall see how things pan out, but we haven't felt particularly fast as of yet, just overworked. Only 24 hours to go! And yes, we are counting.

Living is fairly uncomfortable at the moment, and it could be confirmed that everyone is wearing everything they packed. It's damp, cold, wet, and nobody has slept but for a few winks on the rail. Our bunks are full of spares, food, and gear to keep what weight we have as far outboard as possible. As much as we'd like to focus on the significance of this being the end and all, there is far too much to endure for the time being to allow any reflection on the previous 39,000 miles. Focusing my eyes on the words I'm trying to type is proving hard enough, and it is on that note that I must conclude this here report. Plenty more to come, so wish us luck... And rest! There is a lot at stake.

- Amory
 

Amory Ross

Medien-Crewmitglied

PUMA Ocean Racing, unterstützt durch BERG