From 40 knots to 4 knots
Wednesday 21 March 2012, 3:36PM
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CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand has gone from one extreme to another over the last 24 hours as the team went from 40 knots of wind to four knots as the fleet entered an area dominated by a ridge of high pressure.
The light conditions had seen CAMPER move away from the main fleet and position themselves to the south west in order to give the light pressure zone a wider berth and to ensure that CAMPER picks up the new breeze in the best shape possible. However, in the last hour CAMPER has tacked over to move closer to the main bunch.
The fleet remains tightly grouped with less than 15 nautical miles (nm) separating the top five boats after 700 nm of racing. The lighter conditions have provided some welcome relief for the crew after two days of horrendous conditions that saw boat and crew pushed to the limit.
However, CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson says that the crew are itching to get into some heavy weather downwind sailing.
“We’ve got about 24 hours of light stuff as we cross this ridge then we should be back into the breeze sometime tonight (NZT).
“We have positioned to the south west of the fleet in order to give the ridge of high pressure a wider berth than what the other boats are. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sneak through in better shape than the others and then pick up the new breeze more smartly than the main bunch.
“We’re managing to stay in reasonable pressure for the time being, but it’s just amazing what a turnaround in conditions we’ve seen over the last 24 hours – it’s like we’re sailing in a completely different patch of water.
“Our main goal for the time being is to get through this light air zone and set up in the new breeze in better shape than the other guys – then it’s game on.
“Looking ahead it seems as though we should finally get some downwind spinnaker running in 17 to 25 knots once we’re past this ridge of high pressure. That should suit us, so we can’t wait.”
CAMPER in the latest position report at 1500h 21 March NZT is sailing at 4.5 knots in a 3.5 knot north easterly.