After racing for more than two weeks and for more than 5,500 miles from Brazil to Newport, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is expected to cross the finish line off the coast of Fort Adams State Park in the early hours of Tuesday, May 8th. The racing is extraordinarily close and action to the finish line is expected to be dramatic and tight for the majority of the fleet.
The weather had accelerated on Sunday and the Volvo Ocean Race’s arrival was forecast to be at approximately 8 pm tonight, but winds had died down on Monday morning.
UPDATE: The boats began arriving in Newport at 6 am this morning. For the latest updates and results, visitVolvo Ocean Race: MAPFRE, Team Brunel, Vestas 11th Hour Racing land on podium in Newport
Here are the latest updates regarding arrivals;
2:00 am – Leaders of the race are approximately 10.3 nautical miles away feom the finish line.
10:13 pm – Sail Newport Press Release – “Boats to Arrive in a Few Hours! Meet us at Fort Adams for this incredible event! -Boat ETA is still 2 am NEWPORT, RI (May 7, 2018) – Donfeng has captured the lead over Team Brunel and MAPFRE heading in to Newport. Difficult decisions ahead to go east or west, facing light winds with the leader 37 miles out and all to play for. Still calling a 2 am ETA. Stay tuned to Facebook for updates throughout the night.”
10:02 pm – Volvo Ocean Race Newport – Position Report: Dongfeng Race Team – 东风队 lead Brunel Sailing by 1.5nm and Desafío MAPFRE by 5.8nm. Some difficult decisions coming up: east or west of the TSZ ahead? The transition to very light and variable wind in Rhode Island Sound. Less than 40 miles to run and all to play for!
9:11 pm – Volvo Ocean Race Race Trackers – “0100utc Position Report: @DongfengRacing lead @brunelsailing by 1.6 and @desafioMAPFRE by 6.7 miles. Some difficult decisions coming up: east or west of the TSZ ahead? The transition to very light and variable wind in Rhode Island Sound. 50 miles to run and all to play for.”
9:07 pm – via Sail Newport on Facebook – “Set your alarms now! Arrivals are expected starting around 2am!”
8:16 pm – via Volvo Ocean Race Race Trackers – “0000 UT Update- This leg is going to come right down to the finish, A huge tactical decision lies just 20Nm from the finish in the form of an exclusion zone which boats can pass to the east or west of. Right now @DongfengRacing look to be heading to the eastern side… #WatchLog”
7:46 pm – via Volvo Ocean Race Newport Facebook Page – “The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is now inside 70 miles to Newport! The latest update reports Dongfeng Race Team – 东风队 has taken the lead, and despite unpredictable winds, the leaders are expected to arrive between 2-4am EST. Stay tuned for more updates!”
5:33 pm – via Race Experts on Twitter – “A very difficult call to make with regards to ETAs for the finish due to hugely varied forecasts for the final 30nm. This is currently our best estimate based on the data available #watchlog“
4:49 pm – via Volvo Ocean Race Newport Facebook Page – “Update from Race Control: The final 30nm of the leg look very uncertain with weather models in disagreement. Latest ETA for the lead pack suggest 0100- 0500 a.m. We will do our best to update regularly as the situation develops. Come on down to Fort Adams State Park tonight for a sneak preview of the Race Village at 5pm for a sunset cocktail. Don’t forget whoever can get the first boat arrival time guessed without going over, wins a Vestas 11th Hour Racing Musto jacket. Log your best armchair sailor/ meteorologist guess on the post below.”
4:58 pm on 5/6/18 – via Volvo Ocean Race Newport Facebook Page – “Weather has accelerated the Volvo Ocean Race boats to an expected arrival estimated for early evening tomorrow night. Graphic indicates the location of the boats at 5:00 p.m. EDT, today, and the projected paths into Newport based on current weather data. It could be a gnarly night as the boats ride the southwest winds and approach a strong frontal boundary. As they pass through the front, the fleet will transition into brisk north/northeast winds for the sprint into Newport. Also, the temperature should plummet to mid 40s. Let’s give these sailors a warm welcome into Newport after what could be a tough night.”
Fort Adams State Park will be open on Monday night with free parking. The Heineken, Mount Gay and Whispering Angel Bars will be open beginning at 5 pm tonight. As of Tuesday, May 8 at 4 pm, the attractions inside the Race Village will be open after the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
The 2018 Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village is scheduled to be open May 8th – 20th at Fort Adams State Park. Visit www.volvooceanracenewport.com for updates, a schedule of events, and more information.