4670 miles is the distance separating them from their Chinese destination of Sanya. This leg, which is already shaping up to be one of the most difficult of this round the world race, is already living up to its promise, as the crews set sail in heavy fog and no wind.
The most difficult stage of the Volvo Ocean Race
Indeed, this route will be one of the most difficult, as the crews will have to navigate in very different weather conditions, in areas that are sometimes narrow and close to the coast. As Jean-Luc Nélias, a French sailor on the MAPFRE team, who has already participated in a Volvo, explains, the weather conditions will be variable, and they will have to adapt and maneuver a lot. On the agenda: light winds, cyclones, monsoons�
Charles Caudrelier, skipper of Dongfeng Race Team explains " We will have many obstacles, many dangers. We will cross a lot of cargo ships because it is the busiest area in the world. A lot of unlit fishing boats too. Many things that float. The first objective is to arrive with a boat in good condition at the end of this stage. Because there are a lot of pitfalls, not to mention possible piracy. In terms of sport and racing, it's going to be a complicated zone to manage with little wind. We are all afraid of this leg."
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, which has taken the lead in the standings on equal points with Team Brunel and Dongfeng Race Team, knows how important these first 24 hours are " The next 24 hours will be spent in light winds. In the Gulf of Oman, it will be really light¦ There will be practically no wind for 24 hours. This stage promises to be very tactical with a lot of sailing near the coasts. It's going to be difficult because the boats are likely to be close to each other."
Don't let go until the Strait of Malacca
It will be necessary to take the lead on these first ten days and quickly reach the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, because afterwards, it will be a different matter with the Strait of Malacca. This long corridor, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is one of the most frequented sea lanes in the world and the winds are light. Not to mention that in some places, it is only 2.8 kms wide¦
