The Volvo Ocean Race has yet to complete its second leg of nine but already some crews are feeling the effects of a gruelling start to this year's race.
US-based Puma Racing are finally able to enjoy some down time after two months of solid sailing since the first in-port Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante on October 29th.
Having endured a broken mast in three places, a long detour via the world’s most remote inhabited island and a frustrating, though ultimately rewarding Leg 2 comeback - finishing in third place - Puma's overworked crew had their first day off in 60 days this week.
“I haven’t seen my daughter since I dropped her off at school in the beginning of September,” skipper Ken Read said.
“Now we’re all gonna have a little time off, six days. This is a big deal for all of us – to spend some time with our families over the holidays in that sort of break.”
Meanwhile, Tom Addis, Puma's navigator, admitted that the "extremely limited time" the crew had in Cape Town to get their boat back to working order was beginning to take an effect.
He said: “I personally struggled with that a little bit, so yes, I’m very keen to get home for a few days.”
With the fleet now on board an armed ship bound for Sharjah before the second phase of leg two, Addis said it would be an "unpredictable sprint" to Abu Dhabi.
“The short sprint is short enough to fall inside all sorts of weather windows,” he said.
“Looking at climatology and doing a massive amount of researches isn’t going to be that valuable for that particular section of the leg. So I’m going home to relax for a few days, and be back for the sprint.”