Kiwis become two of the fastest ever sailors in breaking Volvo Ocean Race history
Brad Farrand in action during the Volvo Ocean Race.
Kiwis Brad Farrand and Justin Ferris have become two of the fastest sailors in Volvo Ocean Race history after battling through gale force winds and large ocean swells across the Atlantic Ocean on Friday.
The pair from Kerikeri helped Team AkzoNobel's crew of nine exceed 600 nautical miles (nm - 1,111km) in a 24-hour period on the ninth leg of the race from the United States to Wales.
The Dutch team reached 602.51nm (1,115.8km) in 24 hours with an average speed of 25.1 knots (46.48km) and beat the previous record of 596.6nm (1,104.9 km) set by the Volvo Open 70 Ericsson 4 in the 2008-09 race. They also reached a record peak speed of 30 knots (55km/h).
New Zealand sailor Justin Ferris eyes the horizon as he looks to keep AkzoNobel on the pace in the round the world yachting race.
Farrand is competing in his first around the world race, while helsman and sail trimmer Ferris is on his fourth Volvo Ocean Race.
READ MORE:
* Norway 'full gas' for 2021 Cup
* Burling told to ease off
* Spithill takes big pay cut
"The pace we have been travelling at on this leg has been remarkable," Farrand said.
"Brutal living conditions down below and non-stop waves and spray on deck. I'm proud to be a part of this record-setting crew where everyone has played their part 100 per cent."
Ferris said the boat had been ripping along during their record-breaking run.
"Everything pretty much went right for us. Driving the boat was challenging at times because of the sea state and getting constantly fire-hosed with seawater.
"It's a pretty nice feeling to be the first ever team to have broken through 600 nautical miles."
Team AkzoNobel's record-breaking performance carried them into the lead on leg nine, an eight-day trans-atlantic sprint to Cardiff, when an estimated finish time is expected on Tuesday.
- Stuff
Comments