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Iker Martínez: “We are dreaming about getting out of this zone and reaching the South to find more stability. The mileage we have as an advantage is valuable in stable conditions, so we'll see if we can keep that up over the next few days”.

“Telefónica” seems to have tied up the lead in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. Following 4,000 miles sailed and on the 16th day of racing, the Spanish boat lead by Iker Martínez is holding on to the top spot in the fleet and is fighting to gain South before the final approach to Cape Town (South Africa) with some strong breeze. As Diego Fructuoso says: “We can't sit back”

The Southeasterly course is paying off for “Telefónica” and the Spanish entry is sailing at 19 knots with winds of 16 knots. “Puma” is also pointing Southeast and from second place, according to the 16:20 GMT position report the boat is 27,40 miles behind the Spaniards on this veritable South Atlantic horse race.

Objective: 35º South
For now it looks like the Spanish entry has chosen a good option and is waiting for the strong winds to come in that will allow then to sail towards the finishing line, as Diego Fructuoso explained in his daily report from on board “Telefónica” today: “Near to where we are, both up and down, there's little breeze and we must try to manage this situation as best we can so we don't get stuck and we can still continue to make ground to Cape Town. Capey [Andrew Cape] has told me that if we get through this area of light wind then it should just keep filling in and the next time we'll get light breeze again it'll be near Cape Town. We hope so!”.

However, from here until 35º South, where the strong winds are likely to make thee presence really felt, a lot can happen, as Iker Martínez explained: “Until we get down to that latitude the differences between the boats can change quite considerably because we're in a very unstable area of breeze and you can get stuck”.
 The “Telefónica” Skipper added: “We are dreaming about getting out of this zone and reaching the South to find more stability. The mileage we have as an advantage is valuable in stable conditions, so we'll see if we can keep that up over the next few days”.

Checks between lulls
On board “Telefónica” there's not a second to be lost and the crew on the Spanish boat has made the most of the lulls to check over the yacht and to get her ready for the tough conditions ahead as she moves progressively South.”We've been making the most of them to repair things that have cropped up over the fourteen days of racing. Pepe (Ribes) says that this is normal and that we often use things carelessly and they need repairing as a consequence, but "Telefónica" is performing like a real champion. Pablo (Arrarte) has been checking all the winches, Ñeti (Antonio Cuervas-Mons) has been checking all of the ropes and he has also been up the mast to see how things are doing there, Pepe (Ribes) has been checking out all of the hydraulics, Iker (Martínez) has been looking over the whole boat and Jordi (Calafat) has been making sure all of the sails are in good shape...”, finished Fructuoso.

As Iker Martínez points out: “Sometimes we are even thankful for some calm so that we can get stuck in to repairing little bits here and there”.


PROVISIONAL RANKINGS LEG 1
ALICANTE (SPAIN) – CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA): 6,500 miles
Day 16 – 16:20 GMT – 20th November 2011

1st Team Telefónica (Iker Martínez), 2,334.9 miles from leg finish
2nd Puma Ocean Racing (Ken Read), + 27.4 miles from leader
3rd Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand (Chris Nicholson), + 142.6 miles
4th Groupama Sailing Team (Franck Cammas), + 419.9 miles
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker), Retired from Leg 1
Team Sanya (Mike Sanderson), Retired from Leg 1