Leg 3 wrap up

Well here we are in Sanya after a leg that was incredibly tough both mentally and physically. I think I’m going to say that after every leg in this race but the reality is that the last few legs have been challenging for non-traditional reasons. It’s a nice feeling to have things like stealth zones and armed transport ships behind us, and instead be facing more traditional challenges of around the world racing.

Most of the guys have taken the opportunity to head home for a few days and get some rest with only a few of us staying on. Sanya is known as the ‘Hawaii of the Orient’ and while it’s getting there I must say it has a little way to go…..

Our performance in Leg 3 was mixed. We got another podium finish and retained our second overall position, but we’re travelling the wrong way down the podium and that first place still eludes us.

Basically the leg was won and lost in the Malacca Strait. In the first stage before that which was a long drag race across the Indian Ocean I thought we did a good job. Our boat speed was solid, we got in a strong position to windward of the fleet and were never more than five miles off the lead. As the fleet hit the straits we were in the lead but with Telefonica, Groupama and Puma all within a mile of us – it was game on

My sense is that all teams were trying to get to the Malaysian side of the Strait as that’s where all the models were suggesting the best breeze was. All of us were confronted with a large thunder storm that was blocking our way. We were lucky (or so we thought) and managed to dodge it and get across to Malaysia. The others (with the exception of Abu Dhabi) weren’t and were forced to stay out and commit to the Indonesian side. The cloud system also meant we were committed to the Malaysian coast and couldn’t have got back across even if we wanted to.

That was the pivotal moment really. The others got breeze when all the models were suggesting they wouldn’t. We didn’t get breeze when all the models were suggesting we should have. It’s not a pleasant experience sitting virtually becalmed watching most of the fleet put 50 odd miles on you. We fought back and by the time we left the Straits had managed to reduce the deficit down to 20 odd miles and move from second to last to third but it wasn’t enough. The final long beat up to China didn’t offer many passing opportunities and although we fought hard to the end we couldn’t pull in Telefonica and Groupama.

Take Malacca Straits out of the equation and we would have given this leg a huge nudge. The Malacca Straits are no excuse but once you’re positioned badly in that region it can be all over very quickly.

Looking back and knowing what I know now would I pursue the same game plan going through the Malacca Straits? Absolutely. Our strategy was rock solid but the reality was we got stuck on the wrong side of a fast developing powerful thunder storm. The others more by luck and good chance got on the right side of it and took the benefits – that’s sailing. I can guarantee though that before the impact of that weather system became clear that Groupama, Telefonica and Puma would have all been trying to get to where we were and didn’t want to be on the Indonesian side.

Perhaps we’re guilty of not being flexible enough but the reality was that because of where we were positioned when the thunder storm developed we had no ability to get across. With all the flexibility in the world we couldn’t have got there. It might not be obvious, but it was a near run thing to us doing very well through the Malacca Straits and if the wind had done what it was predicted to and does nine out of ten times it would have been a very different outcome.

So with three legs down and a third of the race done how are we doing? Well not bad but not well enough is the simple answer! We probably review our performance more than any other team and will continue to do so because we’re looking to get absolutely everything we can out of this boat, this team and this project. To date this hasn’t been a race for this boat – too much flat water; too much being locked into one particular point of sail and too much emphasis on 100 mile sprint courses that are worth 20% of legs. So to be sitting second overall after that and with the legs with the best conditions for the boat in front of us that’s not a bad place to be.

Our crew work has been solid and consistent throughout. Good enough? No. Room for improvement? Yes and we’ve been making too many tactical errors but I think ours are highlighted to a degree as we own up to them and are open about them which is not something I think all the teams do as I’m seeing errors across the board.

So here in Sanya our focus is on stamping out the errors that we are making and ensuring that we are in the best shape possible for the next leg into Auckland which is obviously a massive one for us as team and one which we will give a huge push for. We’re motivated people at the worst of times but when it comes to an event like bringing the boat back to one of its homes the motivation to do well is extreme.

In an effort to lift our performance especially in the in-port races the two Emirates Team New Zealand sailing coaches Rod Davis and Joey Allan are coming up to China to spend a few days with us. This is fantastic and having their input into our crew processes, onboard communication and a few other key areas will be a real boost. I know all the guys can’t wait for them to get up here and we’ll wring them dry for every last bit of advice and help on how we can win. If I had my way we’d see them at every stopover but I think the America’s Cup guys might have something to say about that….!

So thoughts now turn to Leg 4 and that arrival into Auckland. It’s hard to comprehend how big it’s going to be bringing CAMPER back to Auckland and Emirates Team New Zealand’s home. It’s where it all began almost two years ago and to follow in the footsteps of guys like Sir Peter Blake and Dalts will be pretty special.

We just need to ensure we do it in the right fashion at the front of the fleet. Of course there’s no pressure from Dalts and our Kiwi fans on that front…not!

It’s a big responsibility but you only need to see what it means to everyone involved in this team and you realise that nobody needs to be reminded of it and everyone is fully committed and motivated for this one. I can’t wait and let’s hope that home turf advantage works in our favour.

Talk soon

Nico

Megwyn · February 9, 2012

Thanks Stevo - you really are doing a great job here!

(More rum for the man Squid!)

M

February 9, 2012

Here's hoping the real Volvo ocecean racing conditions pay off for camper. It's been pretty boring watching them sailing in sheltered calm waters. Bring on the big seas, high winds and speed records :thumbup:

February 9, 2012

Here's hoping the real Volvo ocecean racing conditions pay off for camper. It's been pretty boring watching them sailing in sheltered calm waters. Bring on the big seas, high winds and speed records

Camper will want to finish strongly coming into Auckland next month and im sure they will be hoping to face similar conditions to what the GOR competitors faced. Heres another look at what the teams do to try and keep the boats as strong as possible.

February 9, 2012

Thanks Stevo - you really are doing a great job here!

(More rum for the man Squid!)

M

Thanks :thumbup: After this weeks drinking I might go back on a no drinking policy for a while which means for rum for skippers and crews of people who are on crew.org. Ill use the rum as bribes to get onto boats and then do write ups and so on around here Ill do one on repeat Offender when I next get the opportunity