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CAMPER sets sail for Auckland

Monday 20 February 2012, 3:53PM

By Emirates Team New Zealand

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CAMPER being farewelled from Sanya.
CAMPER being farewelled from Sanya. Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand
CAMPER during the inport aspect of the Sanya start.
CAMPER during the inport aspect of the Sanya start. Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand

CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand has set sail for Auckland and Emirates Team New Zealand’s home base as Leg Four of the Volvo Ocean race gets underway in Sanya.

In a patchy 12 to 15 knot breeze CAMPER made a strong start sitting in second place as the fleet completed the in-shore aspect of the first part of the leg and began the coastal stretch down to the Guanyin Buddha Statue. However a problem with CAMPER’s furler that left them unable to set their gennaker properly for several minutes saw them fall back down the fleet as they struggled to maintain boat speed.

The 43.2 mile course to the Buddha Statue and back is expected to take several hours with the leading boats due back into Sanya around 1900 local time. Upon finishing the fleet will be held in Sanya for a maximum of 24 hours before restarting on the 5220 nautical mile race to Auckland. The re-start will be staggered, with the boats leaving in the order they finish Stage 1.

The latest indication from race officials is that the first boat will restart early tomorrow (Monday) morning.

The decision to split Leg 4 into two stages was made by race organisers yesterday evening in an effort to avoid the worst of forecast bad weather in the South China Sea.

CAMPER Skipper Chris Nicholson says that Leg Four and returning to Auckland is hugely important for CAMPER.

“In many ways this is the most important leg in the race for us and we’re determined to turn in a good result. We want to be first into Auckland and will do everything we can to ensure that happens.

“We’d much prefer to be heading straight there rather than having this enforced detour but nonetheless this first part of the leg is vital as it determines our start time tomorrow.

“Boat and crew are both in great shape and we’re just itching to get out there and get back into some ocean racing.

“Our aim is to finish today in a good position and then ensure that we hit tomorrow and the start of the leg proper in good form. We can’t wait.”

In between the finish of the first part of the leg and the restart tomorrow CAMPER and the other boats are allowed no outside assistance and nothing is allowed on and off the boat.