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Huge waves may delay the start of ocean race
Source: Agencies |
February 18, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BRUTAL conditions with waves like "liquid mountain ranges" in the South China Sea have forced Volvo Ocean Race organizers to consider postponing tomorrow's launch of Leg 4 at the cost of at least US$500,000.
The six-strong fleet is due to set sail from Sanya in Hainan Province for the 5,220-nautical mile trip to Auckland.
However, a boat-breaking weather front heading over the Philippines with forecasts of Cyclone-strength winds churning up waves of over 10 meters looks likely to delay the start until Wednesday.
"This is the toughest, fastest, around-the-world professional race in the world and our sailors are used to taking on treacherous conditions in all weathers," Race CEO Knut Frostad said. "But this goes far beyond that. These size waves, they're like liquid mountain ranges, can split a boat in two in a heartbeat."
Organizers would spend the next 48 hours studying weather charts and leave the decision until the last possible moment before the scheduled start at 2pm local time on Sunday.
"We're not in the business of cosseting these guys. If it's possible for them to sail, they'll go. But if all shipping heads for cover in the region because of the weather then we'll have to follow suit."
The six-strong fleet is due to set sail from Sanya in Hainan Province for the 5,220-nautical mile trip to Auckland.
However, a boat-breaking weather front heading over the Philippines with forecasts of Cyclone-strength winds churning up waves of over 10 meters looks likely to delay the start until Wednesday.
"This is the toughest, fastest, around-the-world professional race in the world and our sailors are used to taking on treacherous conditions in all weathers," Race CEO Knut Frostad said. "But this goes far beyond that. These size waves, they're like liquid mountain ranges, can split a boat in two in a heartbeat."
Organizers would spend the next 48 hours studying weather charts and leave the decision until the last possible moment before the scheduled start at 2pm local time on Sunday.
"We're not in the business of cosseting these guys. If it's possible for them to sail, they'll go. But if all shipping heads for cover in the region because of the weather then we'll have to follow suit."
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