It’s been more of the same for the six remaining boats in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race fleet during the early stages of Leg 3: painfully light winds for the first 72 hours after the January 3 re-start in Abu Dhabi followed by yet more nail-bitingly close competition.
After three days of being largely out of touch with the world, the nine-man crew of the Volvo Ocean 65 Vestas is now back on Mauritius after running hard aground this past weekend on a remote reef in the Indian Ocean.
The good news for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is that for Leg 2, which starts today, the boats will be able to sail the entire 6,125 miles from Cape Town to the finish in Abu Dhabi.
Pity the poor Volvo Ocean Race sailor. While it may seem like forever since the fleet arrived in Cape Town after 24 days at sea, in fact it’s only been a little over three weeks.
Typically you only expect to see extreme sailing footage from the offshore legs of the Volvo Ocean Race, with the in-port racing providing a much more “civilized” form of competition. Not in Cape Town.
Abu Dhabi has prevailed in Leg 1 of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race edging out Dongfeng by the slimmest of margins in the opening chapter of what is looking to be one of the most competitive VOR’s ever.
After spending a full week in first place following their speedy exit from the doldrums, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing has fallen behind Team Brunel. However, Brunel’s advantage may prove short-lived as the fleet picks its way through or around the light winds in the South Atlantic as they work their way toward the finish in Cape Town.
A week and a half into the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, the competition has been even tighter than anticipated as the fleet makes its way south in a tight bunch. Although the all-women SCA team was the first to exit the Mediterranean via the Straits of Gibraltar, the other boats quickly reeled them back in as they sailed into a calm.
Chinese-flagged Dongfeng sustained the first major damage of the race when it hit an unidentified submerged object that destroyed the boat’s port rudder.
A trans-oceanic performance catamaran loads up on practical features and comforts of home.
A classic racing yacht, three weeks at sea, and eight crewmates you’ve never met. What could go wrong?
Editor’s Note: This story is excerpted from SAIL Contributing Editor Christopher Birch’s upcoming book The Four Seasons of Boat Maintenance(available for order soon)—a compendium of
Ever notice how sea stories just get better with the passage of time? The more years that disappear in the wake and the more times
We spend too much time in the sun as sailors and need all the protection we can get… but, have you ever put on a
The Charter issue is on the way! Here’s what to look forward to in the April issue of SAIL Magazine. Cruising in the Land of
Francesca Clapcich has had incredible few years both on and off the race course. Meet the sailor behind the trophy collection.
Cornell University and Dartmouth College are in search of new head sailing coaches in the 2026 season. Both positions were listed this week and are
The Gulf Stream is a fascinating navigational puzzle.
It’s March, and if you’re like most sailors who’ve had to put their beloveds away for the winter, you’re champing at the bit to get
