VOR / Puma call off chatham islands detour as high pressure crews a break

After two days of relentless punishment from high winds and huge waves on Leg 5 from Auckland to Itajaí the top five boats are set for some relief over the next 24 hours as two high pressure systems bring lighter conditions.

© Yann Riou - Groupama sailing team - Volvo Ocean Race

According to race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante the merging systems will envelop the main pack in light unstable breezes and could push the boats hard south in search of stronger westerly winds.

An ice exclusion zone now set around 47 degrees south may further complicate the teams’ strategies but Infante says the fleet could reach steadier westerly winds around midday on Wednesday.

VOR / Ken Read (Puma) Joined The Club

PUMA’s Mar Mostro skipper Ken Read celebrated his birthday on June 24, and the gag gifts rang of a motorcycle theme. All were accessories to go with his new purchase – a Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special. Helmet, doo rag, goggles...check. Leather chaps…not just yet. Tattoo? Yes, albeit temporary.

Credit : Puma

VOR / Ken Read and crew in Lanzarote for a summer training session

The PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Propulsion team arrived in Lanzarote, Spain, in the Canary Islands, ready to begin the next phase of training for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. The 11-member crew was back on land for the first time since departing Newport, R.I., on July 3 in the Transatlantic Race 2011. While racing is still underway, the Transatlantic Race committee has declared PUMA’s Mar Mostro provisional winners.

Credit : Puma

Transatlantic Race / PUMA finished the Race early this morning, before heading south to Lanzarote

The PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Propulsion team completed their Atlantic crossing early Monday morning, July 11, at 05:40 UTC to finish the Transatlantic Race 2011. PUMA’s Mar Mostro was the second boat to cross the finish line at Lizard Point, Cornwall, U.K., behind Rambler 100, and is currently leading the IRC overall standings based on corrected time. Skipper Ken Read and crew traveled the 2,975 nautical mile course in 7 days, 11 hours and 40 minutes.

Credit : Puma

VOR / Ken Read, onboard Puma during the Transatlantic Race, written (video)

"It's always a weird feeling to be heading offshore again, but the time has come to get back out on the ocean. Back in the saddle again."

VOR / Ken Read : "You surf the biggest waves, we'll avoid them"

Laird Hamilton, one of surfing’s greatest names, and leading Volvo Ocean Race contender Ken Read have joined forces with a common target of finding the world’s biggest waves. Read wants to avoid them and Hamilton aims to surf them.

"Laird wants our meteorological technology to help him find the biggest waves in the world. He’s deadly serious when he says, ‘I want to find and surf the biggest waves’...”

VOR / PUMA crew's spirits lifted after bar talk leads to race challenge

PUMA's Mar Mostro took wins in both the Candy Store Cup and the 157th New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta. Ken Read and his crew took home the “Silver Card” in the Candy Store Cup on Thursday in Newport, R.I., giving the team free drinks for a year at The Clarke Cooke House. The event started out as an amiable grudge match between the crews of Mar Mostro and Rambler 100 but expanded to a fleet of four, with the entry fees going to local sailing charities.

by BERG Propulsion

VOR / PUMA Ocean Racing training in Newport, Rhode Island