Walker's Volvo strength to be out to the test (From Daily Echo)

Walker's Volvo strength to be out to the test

9:36am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News

HAMPSHIRE skipper Ian Walker is facing the first real test of his boat since its mast snapped in the opening hours of Leg 1 as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet sail into strong winds and big seas.

The fleet are currently punching upwind through the South China Sea towards the coast of Vietnam – and Walker expects a nervous 48 hours praying for the replacement rig to hold.

“I would be lying if I said I was not worried about our mast and rigging, but all the signs are that things should be OK,” the Southampton skipper said.

“The big test will be when we go for the heavy weather jib and two reefs in the mainsail for the first time in anger since stepping this spare mast back in December.”

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing were last night in fourth place about 70 miles shy of leaders, Spanish team Telefónica.

Once they hit the coast of Vietnam the fleet will have to dodge unlit fishing boats trailing huge nets and an array of floating objects often including tree trunks.

Tacking every hour to stay out of the strong current running down the Vietnamese coast, the fleet face an exhausting few days with next to no sleep.

“Once we arrive at the coast of Vietnam there will be a lot of wind and waves,” said Abu Dhabi’s bowman Wade Morgan.

“We’ll want to get out of that so we will be short tacking up the Vietnamese coast through all the fishing nets and whatever else might be in the water.

“Physically it’ll be pretty tough. Wind speeds will be high and waves will be pretty big too.

“Every hour or two we will be doing small tacks out of the current which means moving everything every single time.

“It’s half an hour to do that each time once it’s all done. Half an hour later you’re back into another tack so there’s not a lot of sleep for anyone. It’ll be bumpy and quite unsettling.”

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet had about 700 miles to go to reach the finish of Leg 3 in Sanya, China.

The leading boats are expected into port on Saturday (February 4).