Volvo Ocean Race - Vodcast
Summary: The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier offshore race, an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour, which started over 37 years ago as the Whitbread Round the World Race. The 11th edition of the race starts in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and concludes in Galway, Ireland, during early July 2012, The teams will sail over 39,000 nautical miles of the world's most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajai, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. The Volvo Ocean Race crews will experience life at the extreme as they race day and night for more than 20 days at a time, living on freeze-dried food and combating the harshest weather conditions the planet can offer. Keep up to date with the action here.
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Podcasts:
Telefonica suffered heartbreak with a second broken rudder en route to Lorient which ended their hopes of a leg victory. Telefonica's misfortune, in huge waves, handed Groupama the win, and cemented the French team's grip on the race.
The fleet rounded the island of São Miguel in compressed formation, next it's on to Lorient, France. The compression and a dramatic change of conditions on the way mean the leg effectively starts again with everything up for grabs.
The fleet are heading around the island of São Miguel before slingshotting back towards Lorient and the finish line of Leg 8. It's a case of trying different angles in an attempt to gain the all important advantage. Strong and dangerous conditions lie in wait in the coming days that threaten to shake things up again.
It's the closest contest in the 39 year history of the Volvo Ocean Race. Four teams can still take the glory with one month to go, and now Leg 8 is underway. Telefónica, Groupama and PUMA led the pack, while the rest of the fleet plots the downfall of the three Juan K-designed boats.
The fleet are planning their endgame for Leg 7 from Miami to Lisbon. Ever closer to completing their round trip from Europe in this year's epic race, there's no time to think of the end, only of the challenges in front of them. A ridge of light air threatens to mix up the boats' positions agonizingly close to the finish line.
With some fast, downwind conditions heading east to Lisbon, Abu Dhabi are still trying to out-run the pack, while Groupama are making back lost miles.
The struggle to go east to Lisbon continues for the fleet. Abu Dhabi were able to make a break, hooking onto strong westerly winds. For the leaders and the pack behind them, the next 24 hours could be decisive. Meanwhile, we look at the less glamorous side of sailing on Volvo Ocean 70s.
The constant strain of the Volvo Ocean Race begins to take its toll. The event is both an endurance race and a series of punishing sprints, and things aren't letting up yet with Leg 7 still wide open.
What a Leg this is turning out to be. A real shake-up of the fleet over the last 24 hours has thrown the race for overall leader wide open.
Unpredictable conditions are sending the fleet north and away from the rhumb line from Miami to Lisbon. Telefonica snatch the lead but, can they hold on to it?
