| CAPE HORN. CHILE-(15-4-2005) VO 70 “movistar” has rounded Cape Horn. In just two weeks, she has
sailed the 4,300 miles separating Wellington from the southernmost tip of
the American continent, going from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic; a
journey during which the crew of the Spanish Round the World race has
faced every possible difficulty: “We have come across every sea and wind
combination that one can encounter sailing – says Bouwe Bekking,
movistar’s Skipper – from winds over 40 knots with monster waves and
snow, to dead calms, sailing at 5 knots with the sea like a mirror”.
“There were some moments of relaxation, like the day after the record,
when we sailed with a soft breeze that allowed us to regain our strength
and make small repairs. We also had to suffer the worst the Southern
Ocean had to throw at us; last Tuesday night, the wind picked up from 20
to 40 knots in just a few seconds, and we started flying over the waves
at a speed of 30 knots. At moments like these, you really appreciate the
boat’s solid construction, and the fact that the safety harnesses are
working!”
This was the first crossing of the Southern Ocean for Iker Martínez,
Offshore Helmsman of the team. “We made the crossing at night; sailing
very close to the rocks, with a wind speed between 20 and 25 knots, over
a flat sea – describes Iker -. For Xabi and myself, this was our first
rounding of Cape Horn, and the guys threw us a small party. Someone even
produced some cigars!”
“It was very exciting, being there and thinking that we were finally
rounding Cape Horn – adds Xabi Fernández, jib Trimmer -. We have not come
across any icebergs throughout the journey, and according to Bouwe we
should be thankful for having met such favourable conditions”.
Well- scheduled training
This ocean training is proving to be a success in terms of the schedule
established by Bekking and Pedro Campos, General Manager and Inshore
Helmsman: “As far as Cape Horn is concerned, the balance is nothing but
positive – says Campos - . It’s great that we have been able to test the
boat’s behaviour in such a wide range of conditions, for we have
collected a great amount of very valuable information. Furthermore, we
have confirmed with satisfaction that the training schedule that took us
so much time and effort, is starting to yield results”.
After 4,300 miles of sailing and making history by setting a new world
record (pending confirmation by the World Speed Sailing Record Council),
the mood on board is excellent. “The work is hard, very hard – confesses
Xabi-. We have just a few minutes between shifts and rest to think of
little else but work. However, the team spirit is fantastic. Even though
we had some very difficult moments, knowing you are backed by such a
capable crew gives you confidence”.
“The cold temperatures were the worst of this southbound journey to
Cape Horn – Iker adds -. Down here, so close to the South Pole,
priorities change dramatically. Now I understand Bouwe when he told us
that in these circumstances, all you dream of is a pair of dry socks”.
Once the boat was sailing on the Atlantic Ocean, having sailed past the
critical point of Cape Horn, the VO 70 “movistar” set its course to the
North, bound for Rio de Janeiro. “Now that we have gone as far south as
we planned, conditions should start to improve – says Stu Bannatyne,
Watch Captain -. We are sailing close hauled for the first time since we
departed from New Zealand, and when we sail past Staten Island, it will
be sailing north all the way. We still have to sail a further 2,400 miles
to Rio, but at least we will have left the Southern Ocean behind”.
The VO 70 “movistar” plans to arrive in Rio de Janeiro “between the
20th and the 22nd of April”, according to Andrew Cape, Navigator and
responsible for onboard measurements. “We sailed more than 500 miles on
average some days, but on others, we did not cover such long distances.
From now on, we will be following the currents flowing from the south
until we reach the warm waters of the Brazil current”.
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