Many Volvo Ocean Race hands conceded to being laid low by the “super-violent” conditions during Leg 4 of the around-the-world sailing race. (Ainhoa Sanchez/Getty Images)
Many Volvo Ocean Race hands conceded to being laid low by the “super-violent” conditions during Leg 4 of the around-the-world sailing race. (Ainhoa Sanchez/Getty Images)

Volvo Ocean Race crews struggle with ‘war of attrition’ in China Sea



Crews struggled to find their sea legs and the fastest route around the northern tip of the Philippines on Tuesday night in what Volvo Ocean Race sailors hoped would be the final hours of a particularly punishing stretch of water.

Meteorologists correctly predicted the upwind push to the east after leaving Sanya, China, on Sunday, would present the most difficult conditions yet in the 2014/15 round-the-world race.

“Finally, we get what we came for: life at the extreme,” wrote Sam Davies, skipper of Team SCA.

Many hands conceded to being laid low by the “super-violent” conditions.

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“I’ve been too seasick to think about anything racing related for the last 24 hours,” wrote Sam Greenfield, the on-board reporter for race leaders Dongfeng. “You don’t have to throw up to be seasick.”

Amory Ross of Alvimedica wrote: “It’s an indescribable feeling of nausea that takes hold, a stomach churn so permanent that it makes you incapable of anything. The group universally feels like crap and it usually lasts until conditions improve.”

Davies said: “We have some crew members struggling to find their sea legs and so we are looking after them. If you get sick, you are allowed a Coke and ginger nuts, so there is a small bonus to the misery of seasickness.”

Ian Walker, skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam, said his first objective in Leg 4 was to get through the heavy weather in the South China Sea before the long stretch south-east to Auckland.

Matt Knighton, Azzam’s on-board reporter, said Walker refers to the area between Hainan Island and Luzon as “the Sea of Certain Breakage”, recalling that his boat Green Dragon was so battered in the passage that he stopped for repairs during the 2008/09 Volvo race.

“Most of the tactical choices that will determine the leg will happen after rounding the Philippines,” Knighton wrote. “Right now, it’s a war of attrition to see who will make it in one piece.”

Knighton described hour after hour of boats dropping off waves.

“As soon as there is 10 seconds of perceived calm water the boat launches off a wave long enough to make everything free-fall down below before slamming with a force that shakes the mast above. It reverberates through the entire hull.”

As night fell, Azzam was slightly behind Dongfeng, with the rest of the fleet within 15 nautical miles of the leaders.

Team Brunel on-board reporter Stefan Coppers wrote that one of his boat’s crew, three-time Volvo veteran Jan-Gerd Poortman, said the nine-month competition is not for the faint of heart. “If it were easy, everyone would do it,” Poortman said.

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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Scores in brief:

  • New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
  • William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
  • Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
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  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.