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Into the trades and enjoying the drag race north

Wednesday 21 December 2011, 1:41AM

By Emirates Team New Zealand

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Mike Pammenter on the rail as CAMPER heads north in trade wind conditions.
Mike Pammenter on the rail as CAMPER heads north in trade wind conditions. Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand
Adam Minoprio takes a bearing on Telefonioca during day 8 of leg two.
Adam Minoprio takes a bearing on Telefonioca during day 8 of leg two. Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand

On day eight of leg two CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand is enjoying trade wind sailing and pushing hard for top place as the fleet heads north.

The frustrating conditions of previous days have been left behind as CAMPER, Puma and Telefonica battle it out at the business end of the leader-board following Sanya’s pulling out of racing overnight due to rig damage.

CAMPER is currently in third place but there is only 8 miles separating the top three boats.

The trade wind conditions are ensuring good progress up the Indian Ocean, however the infamous doldrums are looming in the next few days and the crossing of them is likely to once again throw the fleet into shifty conditions and unpredictable racing.

CAMPER Skipper Chris Nicholson says that all focus is now on making the most of the more stable conditions and hitting the doldrums in the best shape possible.

“You have to feel for Sanya but unfortunately that’s the reality of yacht racing. We are now determined to get as much out of this drag race north as we can to ensure that we are well positioned to enter the doldrums zone in a competitive spot.

“The reality is that with the fleet pretty tightly bunched as it is at the moment an awful lot is going to come down to having a good crossing of the doldrums and picking up the new breeze first..

“We’ve already seen a few restarts already in this leg and it looks like the doldrums might deliver another one so we need to be ready for more frustrating days ahead.

“You can never take anything for granted in this race and we will be pushing hard for ever mile left.”

CAMPER in the latest position report at 1400h 20 December NZT is averaging 15.5 knots in a 18.5 knot easterly.


The latest video from onboard CAMPER is here http://etnzblog.com/#!2011/12/out-of-the-trough-and-dealing-with-boat-crimes