Archive for Global Ocean Race
The Global Ocean Race
A video montage courtesy of Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson on board Mowgli during the inaugural Portimao Global Ocean Race 2008 / 2009
30,000 miles around the Globe
The course for The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 takes in some of the roughest waters on the planet. Starting in Europe the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa; Wellington New Zealand; Ilhabela, Brazil and Charleston, USA before finishing back in Europe, a total of approximately 30,000 nautical miles.
Leg 1: Europe to Cape Town – start 11 September 2011
The fleet will spend their first days in the North Atlantic which can offer a real mix of weather in September – from trade-wind style conditions to a full-blown depression. Further south in September/October the trade-winds are building steady and strong, enabling the fleet to rocket south constantly searching the horizon for towering dark cumulus clouds, the first sign that they are approaching the turbulent doldrum area.
The doldrums, or Pot au Noir as the French so aptly describe the area, is tactically difficult and mentally challenging as the wind dies away to nothing, interspersed with thundering squalls accompanied by torrential rain. It will be 300 miles of grim hell until the trades to the south take over, allowing the sailors to break free of the unsettled weather and set a course for the first mandatory gate. The waypoint set off the Brazilian coast acts as a point gate but more importantly it serves to keep the boats well to the west of the South Atlantic High. Those sailors tempted to cut the corner and sail a direct course for Cape Town could find themselves in the grip of perfect beach weather; hot and flat calm. For the rest it is a fine line south skirting the High, staying in the breeze yet trying to shave off miles by cutting the corner. Finally, around 38 degrees south, they will pick up a westerly wind on the edge of the Southern Ocean and fly downwind into Cape Town, South Africa.
Leg 2: Cape Town to Wellington – start 19 November 2011
Cape Town, the Tavern of the Seas has welcomed sailors for centuries. Majestic Table Mountain rises out of clear, cold water and offers the sailors a three week respite before they head back out again, this time into the rough and tumble of the deep south. No sooner will the racers have passed Cape Point than the first fringes of the Southern Ocean will be felt. Cold, damp wind blowing direct from the Antarctic ice pack across a span of frigid ocean will hint at the danger that lies ahead. Strong westerly winds and massive seas will propel the fleet further south, under Australia where the danger of ice lurks. It will be a time for monitoring the radar, keeping a vigil on deck, and praying to the gods. Communication between boats will be constant as each sailor knows that their first lifeline, should anything go wrong, will be a fellow competitor.
Leg 3 – Wellington to Ilhabela – start 21 January 2012
Wellington, the capital city of a nation that is sailing mad, will treat the sailors to a belated Christmas and allow the teams time to regroup before tackling the second half of the race. Leg 3 takes the fleet back into the Southern Ocean, this time around the infamous Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. It will be another turbulent ride dodging the worst cold fronts and riding the best. Those that are lucky will get a glimpse of the famous cape that has intrigued and devastated sailors for centuries: others will give the land a wide berth before turning their bows north and heading for Ilhabela, a tiny, tropical paradise off the coast of Brazil. With the worst of the race behind them sailors will take time to explore the deep natural rain forest and laze on hot sandy beaches.
Leg 4: Ilhabela to Charleston – start 24 March 2012
Two tough tactical legs remain and as Spring wakes up the Northern Hemisphere the sailors will head north, skirting the coast of Brazil, passing Fernando a second time and traversing the Caribbean Sea. Further north, the welcoming shores of North America lie just over the horizon and Charleston, known as the friendliest city in America, awaits the fleet. The sailors of the Portimão Global Ocean Race will be in port during the build up to the famous Charleston to Bermuda yacht race, starting on 29th May, and if any city knows how to respond to globetrotting sailors, it is Charleston with its legendary southern charm.
Leg 5: Charleston to Europe – start 5 May 2012
The final leg is a 3,500 mile sprint across the North Atlantic. Despite being the shortest leg of the race it can be the most challenging. This leg could well dictate the overall positions of the entire race. Excellent tactics will be crucial as the sailors choose their path through the strong currents of the Gulf Stream, avoid the icebergs of the Grand Banks, keep out of the strongest winds of the low pressure areas, stay clear of the light airs of the Atlantic High and keep a constant lookout for cargo vessels in the busy shipping lanes.
