Cloud minefield

ABN AMRO One back into the lead of the Volvo Ocean Race

Positions at 1600GMT

Pos	Yacht	Skipper	Latitude	Longitude	SMG	CMG	DTF	DTL	DTLC	24 Hour Run
1	ABN AMRO One	Mike Sanderson	20 19.06S	039 25.98W	13.3	038	4660	0	0	262
2	Pirates	Paul Cayard	20 19.12S	039 26.06W	13.8	037	4660	0	4	262
3	ABN AMRO Two	Seb Josse	20 19.44S	039 26.80W	13.6	034	4661	1	3	261
4	Ericsson	John Kostecki	20 20.49S	039 27.18W	13.7	035	4662	2	3	260
5	Brasil 1	Torben Grael	20 20.94S	039 30.40W	15.5	034	4664	4	14	258
6	movistar	Bouwe Bekking	20 26.43S	039 27.13W	15.7	036	4668	8	14	257

Despite leaving Rio de Janeiro in last place yesterday, by late last night ABN AMRO One had already regained first place in the charge north between the six Volvo Open 70s. But the story was not simply one of superior boat speed on this occasion as at present the boats are negotating the northwestern end of a trough and encountering numerous giant rain clouds typical of the tropics.

"We had a good night and the first clouds we went through nicely and did lots of nice changes and managed to dig our way through, but we have been bitten now - us and Pirates - probably by having a lead and Ericsson and the kids [ ABN AMRO Two] have sailed around us, out about 3-4 miles to weather," said ABN AMRO One skipper Mike Sanderson this afternoon, who at the time reckoned they had dropped to third or fourth place.

Thanks to the rain clouds the average amount of wind has been considerably higher than was forecast. On ABN AMRO Two navigator Simon Fisher today estimated they had seen been 3 and 20 knots depending upon their proximity to clouds.

Much theory exists about how to tackle these clouds. Essentially there are two types - ones which hoover up all the air inside and around them and the more preferable type that 'blow'. According to Simon Fisher the clouds tend grow and 'suck' in the morning and tend to 'blow' as they collapse during the night. Typically there tends to be more wind on the front of the clouds and a form of lee astern of them.

Mike Sanderson says he is not a believer in cloud theory. "There are believers and non-believers. Our theory for this leg is to stick to the same theory so at least it is 50-50! Generally the front side of them can be good, but if you can get around the back of it, if you can skirt around it altogether. Generally clouds in the day are a net loss so you are better to stay in the constant breeze. The problem is if you are reaching you have no choice - you go where you go."

Aside from the clouds, generally at present the boats are heading east of north on starboard gybe in the southerly winds to the west of the trough, waiting for the wind to back to the northeast which should happen in the next 24-48 hours.

Meanwhile Bouwe Bekking writes from on board movistar :

Yesterday a good afternoon, but a shocking night. We were going nicely the entire afternoon, but then dropped from first to last in matter of minutes. Just had zero speed, did several backdowns, and finally got rid of it. Not sure what is was, but it resulted in missing the train. Movistar got stuck under a rain cloud together with Brasil 1. ABN 1 was only 200 metes to the right, kept some pressure and was out of sight quickly.

I spend most of the evening/night in my bunk with a terrible headache. Just after the start a jammer came undone and the boom crashed straight in my melon. Big bump on my head, but luckily no stitches. Taking plenty of painkillers and now trying to get my head around how we can make ground against the guys ahead of us. Got a shock this morning that they gained 20 miles, won't help my headache.

Simon Fisher sends this from on board ABN AMRO Two :

We are approaching our first 24 hours at sea and they have been fairly eventful to say the least. Despite being thrown straight back into the usual routine of sleep deprivation it is great to be back out on the water and straight into some really close racing, no doubt this will be a full on sprint all the way to the first scoring gate at Fernando with all six boats craving those points. The boys are definitely fired up for this leg, and we are throwing as many people as we can at the first few days of the race as we negotiate some tricky conditions on the way up to the trades.

Although we have been lucky to have much more wind than forecast, we have also had our fair share of calms and squalls. This made for some pretty exciting sailing late last night when Pirates came rolling over the top of us in a gust doing 20 knots only to find the we were to do the same to them five minutes later! Five minutes after that we were both parked up!!

It's a risky business sailing through the big rain clouds that stretch along the coast here but some seem to be completely un-avoidable. Get on the right side of them and you get more wind, and a good push down the course. However, end up on the wrong side and all of a sudden you are sitting in no breeze, pointing in a direction you really don't want to go with torrential rain filling your boots as you try and get the boat going again. With that said, we are at our most vigilant right now, keeping a close watch on our competitors and the rain clouds that surround us at the moment. Luckily so far we have been getting a few more ladders than snakes but even still we are trying not to take too many risks!! For now we are happy to stay close to our competitors and wit for a moment to pounce.