Battling the weather and setting up for a close finish

As CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand closes in on New Zealand they are battling big seas and strong winds as they push Puma and Telefonica for a podium place.

With under 500 miles to go to Auckland CAMPER in in waves over six metres high and winds gusting up to 30 knots as they slowly draw in on third placed Telefonica.

CAMPER having opted for a more westerly course is now less than ten nautical miles away from Telefonica, and under 40 miles away from second placed Puma.

Although, Groupama remains dominant at the head of the fleet, all bets are off for finishing positions after the French boat with Puma, CAMPER and Telefonica scrapping hard, while Abu Dhabi and Sanya look to threaten from the back of the pack.

After navigating the rough conditions off the tip of the North Island and making the best decision on laying Cape Reinga the boats will then face a patch of soft and variable conditions off the Bay of Islands on Saturday night that is likely to open up further opportunities and potential passing lanes.

The tactics approaching Cape Reinga will be key with boats wanting to avoid a costly tack out to the east but needing to lay the Cape with good boat speed and minimum distance travelled.

CAMPER’s latest estimated time of arrival in Auckland is mid-afternoon on Sunday 11th March, most likely between two and five pm. The sail up the Hauraki Gulf on Sunday morning in a moderate northerly breeze should provide a great spectacle for supporters and spectators.

CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson says that a podium finish into Auckland is still very much up for grabs.

“It’s game on right now with Puma and Telefonica and we just need to take every inch of advantage that we can.

“We did a nice job transitioning through a light airs zone over night and managed to pull back some much needed miles.

“The little park up further down the coast should mix things up again so there’s plenty going on and opportunities to take advantage of.. We just can’t get too greedy and we’re going to need to sail very well to move up the fleet.

"I know though that all the guys aboard will give it everything they can to ensure that happens. We have more motivation than anyone else to do well into Auckland and we want to give all our fans and people who have supported us from day one a good result.

"The finish into Auckland is renowned for last minute upsets – let’s hope we can deliver one.

CAMPER in the latest position report at 1500h 9 March NZT is sailing at 14.2 knots in a 21 knot easterly. The boat is 485 nautical miles from Auckland and 147 miles behind Groupama.