Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier\/FRA) breathed a huge sigh of relief on Monday after the boat arrived right on schedule ready for the refit of a new mast (full story below).- Caudrelier breathes sigh of relief as damaged boat arrives- Target now is to return Dongfeng to water on ThursdayITAJA\u00cd, Brazil, April 13 \u2013 Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier\/FRA) breathed a huge sigh of relief on Monday after the boat arrived in Itaja\u00ed right on schedule ready for the refit of a new mast.It has been a long journey for the stricken boat since the top of its mast fractured 200 nautical miles (nm) from Cape Horn in heinous Southern Ocean conditions on March 30 during the treacherous Leg 5 from Auckland to Itaja\u00ed, south-east Brazil.Suppliers, Southern Spars transported a new mast from Dubai, via Amsterdam, to Brazil and despite some major logistical challenges, that had arrived safely too by Sunday.The boat itself was sailed by a shore crew team plus two Chinese sailors under jury rig, partly under motor, for 2,000nm through the Southern Ocean and South Atlantic for its rendezvous in Itaja\u00ed with the new mast.It had earlier found refuge in Ushuaia, Argentina, following the breakage.Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard chief, Nick Bice, and his team will be working flat out with the Dongfeng Race Team shore team to ensure the boat is in optimum condition for the weekend\u2019s Team Vestas Wind Itaja\u00ed In-Port Race on Saturday.The ambition is to have the boat back in the water by Thursday with the new rig fitted and any other minor repairs carried out.\u201cToday we know we\u2019ll be ready for the next leg,\u201d said Caudrelier early on Monday following the boat\u2019s arrival. \u201cWell done to the shore team.\u201dHe continued: \u201cWe hope to be ready on Thursday and go sailing in the evening to race on Saturday.\u201cBreaking the mast was a difficult moment. We lost the joint lead of the race, we lost eight points. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker\/GBR) are now far ahead and they have a big advantage.\u201cIt will be difficult to come back and we\u2019re close in points with the boats behind \u2013 we could very well finish fifth.\u201cWe have to stay focused. We\u2019ll do what we\u2019ve done in the previous legs and we\u2019ll see what happens. Anything could still happen.\u201dAs they did not complete the leg, Dongfeng Race Team collected eight points to go seven behind stage victors Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (see panel above – low points lead).However, as Caudrelier makes clear, there is still all to play for. Leg 6 sets off from Itaja\u00ed to Newport, Rhode Island on Sunday, April 19, and three more follow it including the transatlantic trip from USA to Lisbon (Leg 7).<\/p>\n
via Dongfeng set for in-port race return| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier\/FRA) breathed a huge sigh of relief on Monday after the boat arrived right on schedule ready for the refit of a new mast (full story below).- Caudrelier breathes sigh of relief as damaged boat arrives- … Continue reading