Into the doldrums and ready for the Equator

On day eleven of leg one CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand is making good ground across the doldrums and staying in touch with the race leaders.

CAMPER remains in third place but has reduced the deficit on race leader Puma to 107 miles.

CAMPER has had a relatively good entry into the doldrums zone and is expected to cross the Equator in the next few hours.

Skipper Chris Nicholson says that despite a positive 24 hours there’s still significant work to do.

“Puma and Telefonica have had pretty much a dream run across the worst of the doldrums and although we’ve done well so far there’s still plenty of holes to fall into.

“It’s nice to pull back a few miles on them and at the moment we’ll take all the small gains that we can get but we need to do much more.”

As CAMPER nears the Equator nerves are rising amongst the ‘first timers’ aboard, Hamish Hooper and Adam Minoprio who face the traditional initiation ceremony into King Neptune’s realm when they cross the Equator for the first time.

CAMPER trimmer/driver Tony Rae says that a memorable crossing is in line for the two newbies.

“Myself and Rob Salthouse have been planning this for some time and we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves to ensure that Adam and Hamish are welcomed to King Neptune’s court in an appropriate manner.

“It’s fair to say that their anxiety levels are definitely building but it’s all in good fun and this is a great rite of passage of ocean racing.”

CAMPER in the latest position report at 1500h 16 November NZT has entered an area of light pressure averaging 8.3 knots in a 6 knot easterly.