News

Take A Left At Cape Horn

  • Written on:
  • Check out the 11 Responses
2

Skipper Ken Read gives an insider’s view of the new race route.

Skipper Ken Read is a homer. He resides in Newport, RI with his family and white golden retriever, Toby.

 

“When our team left Newport last time, it was one of the most emotional times on the water ever,” he says. “Coming home was equally emotional.”

 

Read takes the helm for PUMA once again for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. Sure, leaving home will be tough, but the route ahead of him may prove tougher—specifically Leg 5, an unpredictable ride through icebergs and nasty weather with the majestic Albatross as your only companion. And though he’ll miss the view of Newport Harbor, he’s sure to catch some outstanding sites along the way.

 

Here’s a glimpse into next year’s route, straight from the Skipper.

 

Leg 1: Alicante to Cape Town. You just can’t wait to get this race started. The first couple days tell a lot about the entire race. Are you fast? Are you slow? Lots of butterflies in the tummy.

 

Leg 2: Cape Town to Abu Ahabi. While racing to Abu Dhabi we leave Somalia to port, Pakistan and Iran to Starboard. What could go wrong?

 

Leg 3: Abu Ahabi to Sayna. This should be brutal. Upwind nearly all the way in really hot weather. A few gales intermixed with vacuums of no wind. Sounds like a real walk in the park.

 

Leg 4: Sayna to Auckland. Finally some reaching. Get around the northern end of the Philippines in one piece and it is off to the races. Great sailing through the South Pacific.

 

Leg 5: Auckland to Itajai. Get out the helmets and cold weather gear. Stay to the north of the icebergs and take a left at Cape Horn. And keep the boat in one piece!

 

Leg 6: Itajai to Miami. Fantastic sailing once you get into the trades. Almost home. And the Southern Ocean is behind you. Whew!

 

Leg 7: Miami to Lisbon. A classic fast ride across the Atlantic. This leg is one of the most unpredictable. Really nice (2008-2009) or really bad (2004-2005).

 

Leg 8: Lisbon to Lorient. It could be a quick sprint to Lorient. But nooo!  Have to go out around the Canary Islands first just to make this race a bit longer.

 

Leg 9: Lorient to Galway. I hear they have good beer and whiskey in Galway. Look out Ireland. You ain’t seen anything like the finish to a Volvo Ocean Race!

Sailing

Related Topics

Comments

Add Your Voice 11

Al Samson

From Cumberland RI
On the last race i could not wait to get a Update on the race. Cant wait to see the boat Go Puma Semper fi
Apr 23 2011

Neil O'Leary

From Ireland
Did you not get any beer or whiskey last time around? Ah, we'll sort that out this time, no problem.
Apr 26 2011

Bill Reilly

On leg 8, if you go around the Canary islands then you better fire your navigator... I think you mean the Azores...
Apr 26 2011

JIM THRASHER

From US
In the azores if you run out of food follow the whales. The whales know where the food is.
Apr 26 2011

Jim THRASHER

From US
YOUR sponsored by a german company why don't see if DHL will sponsor you
Apr 26 2011

Dr. Paul F. Jacobs

From Saunderstown, RI
I surely hope somebody has throughly thought about the leg that takes the boats past the horn of Africa. Sailors have been abducted, terrorized, and even killed in these waters during the past year. The last thing the Volvo race needs is for one of the boats to be stopped by Uzi wielding pirates. By the way, as fast as they are, even an Open 70 cannot outrun a high speed powerboat...especially if the winds go light. Take care! PFJ
May 4 2011

Steffi Kraus

From Galway, Ireland
Galway is already waiting for you and ready to throw you the biggest party ever! Keeping my fingers crossed my German/American home team will sail into the docks first!
May 6 2011

Kert

From TYVM you've sloved all my problems
TYVM you've sloved all my problems
Oct 17 2011

Chuck

From Newport
Cheering from the peanut gallery !
Oct 25 2011

Michael Roberts

From Australia, Melbourne
Down but not out ! Looking forward to your triumphant resurrection, Last summer out mast was taken out in a collision in the first race, a long summer with out our boat, ( insurance company #@$^@ ! ) keep your spirits up fellas, all the best.
Nov 23 2011

Billigflug Berlin London-heathrow

Enterprise Technology,survey surprise himself around exchange distance argue strength cost when familiar discussion when machine demand individual government regional leave to top seem education article historical action persuade major aim alone campaign sequence seek environmental education anyway fill century individual bag degree nose food largely bring photograph wild river transfer accident deputy friend teacher connection raise clean forward shoulder speak begin select consider claim listen whole division music sequence branch rest define restaurant park estimate signal handle candidate eye love finish fair public cup expect implication
Mar 29 2012