Yann Riou’s blog describes the building fatigue, right when they need to rest before the big storm at Cape Horn, due to the continuous gybing in full on race mode that requires everyone on deck, whether you are on watch, standby or just got in your bunk. Dongfeng on board!
"Speeds touching 26 to 28 knots, a reasonably organised sea, and a closely fought regatta, gybing duels with amongst others MAPFRE and Alvimedica. It's full speed, but for now still what you’d call reasonable!
However, the succession of gybes, each one requiring the entire crew, coupled with the buckets of cold water that are being thrown across the deck, are not the most pleasurable part.
“Everybody on deck, we’re gybing!”
Its generally what we hear just a short time after you’ve closed your eyes, or started to eat when you are - in theory - off watch. And since it's been like that now for quite some time, its not exactly very good for recuperation.
"When I have to remove my gloves, after 2 minutes I can't feel my hands anymore." - Wolf
And we do need to recuperate. Sailing in cold water makes everything complicated. We’re a bit slower, but the boat is going the same speed. We’re burning up lots of calories, but it's hard to feed ourselves, and above all rest.
"It's really a different leg this one," confides Martin. We have the impression that we’re on another race, and another boat.
This regatta at 55 degrees south is going to continue another 24 hours. Then we will enter the ultimate part of this leg. The part that takes us to Cape Horn in some very strong conditions."
Images : Y Riou / Dongfeng
From Volvo Ocean Race
