.jpg)
Saturday saw a split strategy as an unexpected wind shift and strong currents force the three westerly boats to consider sailing through rather than round the Solomon Islands chain.
“The current is boxing us in increasingly and we need the breeze to get back to its original position or it will be much more difficult for everyone" Iker Martínez - skipper, Team Telefónica
This morning, the western pack -- Iker Martínez’s Team Telefónica, Chris Nicholson’s CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and Mike Sanderson’s Team Sanya -- all appear to be lining up to pick their way through the archipelago.
Meanwhile farther east, Franck Cammas’ Groupama sailing team, Ken Read’s PUMA Ocean racing powered by BERG and Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing all look set to round the south east tip of the Solomons.
On Telefónica Iker Martínez said he had convened an ‘emergency’ meeting of the crew to weigh up their options in light of the new weather scenario which could mean the potential for big gains for the Spanish team.
“The third leg was tricky in terms of the meteorology, but this leg is proving to be even more unpredictable,” Martínez said.
“A few days ago we were convinced that we didn't have many chances open to us and that it would be a pure horse race down to New Zealand.
“Now things are getting more tricky, the headwinds are shifting much more than predicted and we don't know if we'll enter the top of the Solomon Islands or if we'll have to start tacking.
“The current is boxing us in increasingly and we need the breeze to get back to its original position or it will be much more difficult for everyone, and it would be much to our advantage if we can make the most of it.”
On CAMPER, navigator Will Oxley confirmed Chris Nicholson’s crew had now made their mind up to go for the gap.
“There are no half measures now,“ Oxley said.
“Having made the decision to go through the Solomon Islands and a westerly option through the Coral sea we now have to tough it out and stick to our guns to the end game in about 7 days time as we approach the top of New Zealand and see how it plays out.”
