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Iker Martínez's boat continues to move further South and sees an opportunity to carry out repairs

A new week begins today and to ease into it, it looks like the Southern Ocean has given “Telefónica” and the rest of the Volvo Ocean Race crews a moment's breath. The white flag isn't exactly flying in all its glory, but the breeze has dropped to a more manageable average of 19 knots for the Spanish yacht, in contrast to the 32.6 knots recorded a couple of days ago. The peaks have also dropped off from 45 knots to 24, according to the latest position report, released at 13:00 UTC.

The team's MCM Diego Fructuoso has welcomed this break of sorts and that was not only reflected in his report from on board this Monday, as he commented that despite it still being very cold: “conditions are improving, the winds have dropped and so has the swell, which was the most worrying thing in terms of not damaging the boat”, but also in the photos sent through from the Spanish boat today where less water on deck and happy faces could be seen. However, the guys all have their harnesses on and are still holding on tight.

Sailing down at latitude 48º 95' S and at boat speeds of over 18 knots, “Groupama” and “Puma” continue ahead of Iker Martínez and crew, slightly further South, with both boats on the same course.

Skipper Iker Martínez admitted yesterday that “Telefónica” had been forced to slow down the pace to avoid “the boat getting damaged. It's a shame to slow down, and it's unfair, especially when you're battling, but of course everyone's safety comes first and whilst the boat is still sailing well it's not a problem. The boat is doing well now, but there is a risk that it could sustain damage, so that's why we've dropped the pace”, said the sailor from Guipuzcoa in northern Spain in a video sent through from on board the Spanish yacht.

With an easing up of the pace, repairs are a lot more manageable. Alicante's Pepe Ribes, the boat captain and considered by Iker Martínez as a veritable on board 'Mcgyver', is heading up the on board repair work, as Fructuoso highlighted today: “Pepe and the guys giving him a hand have been working non-stop to get “Telefónica” back into shape again for battle”.

Cape Horn, seven days' sailing away

According to the calculations of “Telefónica” navigator Andrew Cape, the Spanish boat could reach Cape Horn in roughly seven days' time. The cold continues to bite but “the kettle's on the boil the whole day so that we can have hot water and drinks”, Fructuoso tells us.

Reaching the 'cape of capes' will be a very important moment on this leg, especially in terms of boosting on board morale, From there the crew will be making their way back into the Atlantic, where any progress made mean getting closer to 'home'.

PROVISIONAL RANKINGS LEG 5

AUCKLAND (NEW ZEALAND) – ITAJAÍ (BRAZIL): 6,705 miles

Day 9 – 13:00 UTC – 26^th March 2012

1. Groupama sailing team (Franck Cammas), 3,565.4 miles from finish

2. Puma Ocean Racing (Ken Read), +64.1 miles

3. Team Telefónica (Iker Martínez), +236.3 miles

4. Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand (Chris Nicholson), +563.6 miles

5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker), +1,176.1 miles

6. Team Sanya (Mike Sanderson), +2,973.4 miles

NOTE: “Team Sanya” is heading back to New Zealand for repairs. “Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand” is on course for Puerto Montt in Chile also in order to carry out boat repairs.