Emirates Team New Zealand Media Update: Closing in on Puma

Emirates Team New Zealand Media Update: Closing in on Puma
 
28 April 2012
 
CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand has closed in on leg leader Puma overnight more than halving their lead to just over eight nautical miles (nm).
 
As the fleet heads for the north eastern tip of Brazil both CAMPER and Telefonica have placed Puma under sustained pressure in the light conditions and narrowed up the game considerably.
 
The consistent trade winds are still yet to kick in and are not predicted to become reliable until after Recife meaning that the consolidation of the fleet is likely to continue.
 
Despite a charge from Telefonica overnight CAMPER has fought hard to hold onto its second place and is looking well positioned to make further gains on Puma over the next 24 hours.
 
CAMPER navigator Will Oxley says that the in the light conditions the smallest of details could determine who leads around the north east corner of Brazil.
 
“It’s going to be very interesting to see how all this plays out. It’s beautiful conditions but some very subtle differences could make a big difference.

“It’s going to be the smallest of details whether it’s a cloud or whatever and a bit of luck that will determine who gets around the corner first.

“Once we’re past Recife the breeze will go behind us and we should be sailing deeper angles which is really our strong point so we should be in good shape.
 
“All in all we’re quite nicely positioned at the moment. Conventionally being to the west like we are is far from idea but these aren’t conventional conditions, so we are sailing to what we have around us.”
 
CAMPER in the latest position report at 1100h 28 April local time is in second place sailing at 8.4 knots in a 6.1 knot easterly.

ENDS

© Scoop Media