CAMPER: Edging towards Cape Town

26 November 2011
On day twenty one of leg one CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand is slowly edging towards Cape Town after three weeks at sea.
With under 300 miles to go to the finish line off Cape Town CAMPER’s latest routing suggests an ETA of approximately 0700h on Sunday 27 November (local time).
Despite the closeness of Cape Town all attention on CAMPER is focused on getting across the finish line as quickly as possible and avoiding an approaching ridge of high pressure that is currently sitting to the west of the boat.

The final 24 hours of leg one

The final 24 hours of leg one is likely to present some robust sailing conditions with strong pressure expected on the approach into Cape Town especially over the last 90 miles close in to the South African coastline.
CAMPER remains in second place but has conceded ground to be 208 miles off the pace as race leader Telefonica takes advantage of their better positioning east of CAMPER. Telefonica are expected to cross the finish line on Saturday evening (local time) to take the honours in leg one of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race.
If current standings are maintained across the finish line there will be one point separating the two teams on the leader board with Telefonica on 30 points and CAMPER on 29 points.
Skipper Chris Nicholson says that it has been a frustrating leg to date.
“We’ve spent 6000 miles playing catch-up and that’s not a place I like to be. Even now three weeks into the leg we haven’t really had the opportunity to test ourselves boat on boat with the other guys.
“We know for a fact we can do a lot better and that’s why we will be focusing hard for every last minute of this leg to squeeze out that extra speed.”
Awaiting CAMPER upon arrival in Cape Town will be hot burgers and cold beers as well as the opportunity to reunited with family and loved ones after a long three weeks at sea.
CAMPER in the latest position report at 0300h 27 November NZT is averaging 17.8 knots in a 15 knot southerly.
Pictures of CAMPER, video footage and audio files are available upon request. Further information and race updates will be available on www.etnzblog.com