A delicate unloading operation took place today to re-launch the five boats sailing in Leg 2 Stage 2 after their transfer by ship was completed on time yesterday.
Once afloat, only members of the teams’ sailing crews will be allowed aboard to prepare their boats for the second stage of Leg 2 which starts tomorrow January 4
The ship reached the United Arab Emirates shortly before midnight with the complex craning process beginning at first light this morning, overseen by representatives of the teams’ shore and sailing crews.
The carbon hulls of the lightweight Volvo Open 70s are notoriously fragile, making any craning operation fraught with danger. The yachts were loaded with their masts upright, further increasing the complexity of the unloading process.
Telefónica was the first of the boats to be lifted from the ship’s deck and eased gently back into the water. The ship was then turned through 180 degrees with Abu Dhabi's Azzam the next to be refloated.
All five boats were successfully relaunched, with the final boat, CAMPER, touching down around 1530 local time, several hours ahead of schedule.
Only members of the teams’ sailing crews are allowed aboard to prepare their boats for the second stage of Leg 2 to Abu Dhabi, which starts tomorrow, January 4, when all five crews are expected to leave the dock at first light for shakedown sailing sessions, ahead of the second stage start.
