Volvo Race – Ice limit resets the clock
Fourth-placed Team Brunel were dealt a cruel blow with key crewmember Annie Lush suffering an injury to her back.
Lush and teammate Peter Burling were grinding on the aft pedestal as Team Brunel prepared to gybe close to the Antarctic Ice Exclusion Zone when a huge wave swept them into the guard rail at the back of the boat.
Burling was unhurt but Lush was left with pain down her right side and struggling to move her right leg. The crew responded immediately, carrying her down below and into her bunk where she has remained since.
The British sailor, 37, has been prescribed painkillers and plenty of rest by on-call race doctor Spike Briggs. While she recovers, the rest of the crew must push on shorthanded, making their task ahead even more challenging.
Peter Burling and Annie Lush
That ice limit, and its shift to the north on Friday, had the effect of massively compressing the fleet, leaving some on board Vestas feeling a little hard done by, although they have also gained on the red boats in front.
One of the beneficiaries has been team AkzoNobel, who have closed up to 220 miles from the leaders and 80 miles from Turn the Tide on Plastic. Not bad for a team who had to race without a mainsail for a few days.
Volvo Ocean race – Leg 3 – Monday 18 December @ 19:00 UTC
1. Dongfeng Race Team — distance to finish — 2,551 nautical miles
2. MAPFRE +3 nmteam AkzoNobel
3. Vestas 11th Hour Racing +59 nm
4. Team Brunel +69 nm
5. Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag +97 nm
6. Turn the Tide on Plastic +149 nm
7. team AkzoNobel +283 nm
