One of the more dramatic episodes during the Volvo Ocean Race involved the crew of CAMPER, which was blasted by giant waves this week as it traveled at high speed on the Bay of Biscay in the North Atlantic.
The event was captured on video (above) and the incredible footage shows what types of conditions sailors in this around-the-world competition sometimes have to endure.
CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson is at the helm on the left. He gets briefly knocked down. His crew mate (in the yellow hat) takes the brunt of the assault.
This occurred toward the end of the competition's eighth leg, from Lisbon, Portugal, to Lorient in northwestern France.
During the previous leg CAMPER (of Emirates Team New Zealand) narrowly missed striking a whale thanks to the quick actions of helmsman Roberto "Chuny" Bermudez.
Groupama was first to complete Leg 8, with CAMPER second. Groupama holds a comfortable overall lead with one leg remaining.
You need to have a huge heart to go through this kind of waves. Props to the sailors.
Posted by: Koh Samui Hotels | Jun 18, 2012 at 01:12 AM