Volvo Ocean Race

The adrenaline is drying up and the sleep deprivation synonymous with the Volvo Ocean Race is catching up with the short-handed crew on board Groupama 4.

On the upside, there is more room to rest below deck, reports Media Crew Member Yann Riou in his latest blog:

“It’s light!

As planned, the wind dropped down quite a lot taking Groupama 4’s average with it! That being said, there is no drama, we are still moving forward.

I actually just came down from the deck, where Brad (Marsh) is steering. The night is very clear, the temperature is soft and we are sliding downwind in six to seven knots of wind, on a flat sea. For the first time since our re-start from Punta del Este, we can’t get out on the deck without the weather gear, because, as soon as there is some wind a Volvo Open 70 is wet. Jury rig or not!

In more normal circumstances, for a South America cruise for example, it could be extremely nice. Yes, but here we are; Groupama 4 isn’t a cruising boat and her crew starts to be slightly drenched.

We did two long and difficult legs with only a one-week stopover in New Zealand, and two to three days of full rest only. Before our dismasting, we could think that the race’s intensity and our close duel with PUMA helped us to keep the necessary tone when coming on deck. Like adrenaline.

But now, we have to admit that all this has collapsed a bit and the accumulated tiredness starts to be felt.

So we are making the most of it to rest. Sailing with a reduced crew, we can enjoy a bit more room for comfort than usual. Fresh food, which the race management allowed us to board in Punta del Este, is improving the daily life. iPods and other MP3s are at work full blast.

Yet. If we could make a long story short…

On deck, we keep optimising our sail plan. This morning, Damian (Foxall) installed the storm jib, used as a staysail, in addition to the staysail, used as a genoa. I’m curious to see what it looks like from outside.

A slight heel, which makes us think the wind is coming in again. It’s rather a good sign.

Allez, let’s make it shorter!

Have a good day, Yann”