Yachting: Team NZ gamble on the doldrums

The Camper crew, including skipper Chris Nicholson and trimmer Rob Salthouse, improved their position to third but are still well short of the lead. Photo / Hamish Hooper

Team New Zealand are pinning their hopes of making up ground in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race on the notoriously fickle conditions in the doldrums.

The Camper crew moved up to third on day nine of the race as Groupama's luck ran out on the coastal route to be overtaken by the trio of yachts on the more orthodox westerly route - Puma, Telefonica and Camper.

But Emirates Team New Zealand remain well off the pace. Late last night Puma were leading the charge to Cape Town with an advantage of 8 nautical miles over Telefonica, while Camper are a further 136nm behind.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE TRACKER

Despite their healthy lead, Puma cannot afford to get too comfortable as they approach the doldrums - a traditionally windless zone which has the potential to turn the standings.

Camper skipper Chris Nicholson believes as the variable conditions associated with the doldrums begin to take charge, the opportunity may present itself for Team New Zealand to improve their position.

"Right now Puma appears to have the best of the breeze but we'd expect the conditions to become more constant across the fleet in the next day," said Nicholson.

"If we can pick our entry point into the doldrums well then there is the potential for us to gain some good miles on Puma and Telefonica. The next few days are going to be key in our efforts to improve our placing."

"Our aim is to reduce the deficit as much as possible by Fernando de Noronha and to then be in a strong position to challenge for the lead in the South Atlantic."

Late last night Camper were just south of the Cabo Verde Islands averaging 18.8 knots in a 17-knot northeasterly.

Puma and Telefonica are slightly further west, with all three boats heading south toward Cape Town, while Groupama faces a long road back into the race after being forced in a westerly direction in search of wind.