Southern Ocean Chinese Gybes, Death Rolls, Crash Gybes, Sailing Videos

March 24, 2015: Chinese gybe, a/k/a death roll, a/k/a crash gybe. Basically, it’s a strong squall violently swinging the boom to the other side. The main sail slams over, the boat ends up in the water with the keel on the wrong side keeping it on its side. It’s dangerous, it’s scary – and it happened to the MAPFRE crew in the Southern Ocean, 2,000 nautical miles away from land! (videos above and below)


Chinese gybe for Chinese boat | Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 - March 24, 2015
Dongfeng Race Team, MAPFRE and Team SCA all did accidental gybes (aka Chinese gybes) from Monday to Tuesday – but Dongfeng’s one happened first, in the pitch-black night, and with two young Chinese rookies onboard.

A preventive measure | Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 -
March 23, 2015: A delaminated bow is a memory MAPFRE’s skipper Iker Martínez is not fond of and he did not want the same scenario to happen again after experiencing it in last race’s Leg 5. After hearing worrying noises, Iker and Antonio Cuervas-Mons decided to reinforce it.

Barcelona World Race update and finish:

Barcelona World Race, March 24, 2015 - Day 84 - Daily video highlights above, short program below--


Track the finish: http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/race-live/barcelona-world-race-2014-15-tracker

more sailing news below (@ web version link below for mobile)

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