| | |

Epic Finish in Auckland!

Many sailors are at home here in Aukland and many are just plain relieved by the thought of finishing this grueling leg. Franck Cammas and Team Groupama clinch their first Volvo Ocean Race leg win, smashing the competition and finishing 12 hours ahead of second place. The battle for second and third was the most impressive part…

| | | |

VOR- The Home Stretch

It almost seems as if Cape Reinga, New Zealand gets farther and farther away as the teams approach the final stretch. With the final 400 NM a-head, the wind has shifted forward, making the teams work up wind until the very end. Most of the teams are tired and beat up from the many sail changes…

| |

Solomon Islands A-Stern…..

The Volvo Ocean Racing Fleet, is almost there. After the the guys successfully navigated the Solomon Islands they only have one more thing on their minds, Auckland. Looks like the portion of the fleet that split to the east prevailed, with better ‘breeze’ and better wind angle than the fleet to leeward. Take 3 minutes and catch up!…

| | |

V.O.R. – “It’s All Good….”

As the teams approach the equator in the middle of the Pacific Ocean,  conditions continue to improve as the trade winds arrive.  Here is just a ‘tid-bit’ on Team Puma and how there wild decision to stray from the pack ended up. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB52Mv_ZNZc&w=560&h=315] Stay up to date on race info at www.volvooceanrace.org

| | |

Volvo Ocean Race

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M7KBDi0Z4o&w=560&h=315] After the fleet having to work upwind in some short and steep ‘chop’ (due to the strong current streams opposing the wind direction) for the first portion of this leg, the fleet did have a glimmer of some fast downwind action. Many of the crews have been sick for most of this leg…

| | | |

A Finish in Sanya

The V.O.R. teams have brought leg three to a close over the weekend. Team Telefonica sets a new record of finishing in first place for the first three legs. Ken Reid’s team puma struggles to keep up the morale ever since their leverage tactic did not pay off! And the French team, Groupama, maintain a…

| | |

Telefonica Keeps The Lead As They Approach The Last 400NM

Ken Read’s Puma Team carries a somber tone as their leverage move to split from the fleet, backfires! Mar Mastro finds itself just ahead of last place Team Sanya and aside from the fleet making a huge mistake, will be lucky to reel-in Team Abu Dhabi, which lie just ahead. Team Groupama is nipping at the leader’s heals only 7 NM…

| |

The Singapore Strait – Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

 Team Telefonica find themselves in the lead yet once again. Somehow the the Spanish team seems to tactically climb from the back of the pack to the front , every time, without fail. As the fleet clear all of the obstacles of the Malacca Strait they head into even tighter quarters which should make for interesting night sailing. The debris and…

| | | |

Puma’s Mar Mastro Leads the Pack!

Although it is a close race for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Team Puma leads the charge on a port tack drag race. Things are sure to change as the fleet, currently spaced approximately 25 square nautical miles apart, approaches the Malacca Strait. Get caught up on some VOR as Team Sanya try their best to give a good…