Volvo Ocean Race Boats Take Hits as Race Heads Towards Newport

Volvo Ocean Race Boats Take Hits as Race Heads Towards Newport

Four of the six Volvo Ocean Race boats took big hits from a series of chinese gybes in the Southern Ocean during the fifth leg of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. The ships were en route to Cape Horn from Auckland, NZ.

 A chinese gybe is caused by strong winds or big waves and causes the main sail to slam over and the boat to end up on it's side. The ships were on there side from Monday into Tuesday, however, the crews managed to escape without major injury. 

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“We paid a heavy price in terms of miles lost to our competitors [about 30], but I confess that despite that, I am a happy skipper even after the incident. Why? All my men are onboard, the crew did an extraordinary job, and we haven't broken anything, or damaged any sails,” said Charles Caudrelier, the skipper of the Dongfeng Race Team. 

The race is headed toward Rhode Island and will be in Newport from May 5-17 as they prepare for leg 7 of the race which will take them to Lisbon. 

The 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race started in Auckland in late February and will conclude in Gothenburg in late June.

For more information and for race updates, visit their website.