Team Russia has started to make inroads at the Volvo Ocean Race on their way to nearly 40,000 nautical miles around the world. Russia’s first team entry since 1993 managed a solid sixth place finish during the first open-sea leg to Capetown.

After enduring miles upon miles of open water, the intricately decorated Kosatka yacht closed in on the second most populous city in South Africa.

The vessel, whose name translates as “killer whale”, moved quickly from Alicante, but not without a few bumps along the way.

Despite being outdone by Telefonica Blue in a brief battle for fifth place, the Russians battled adversity from the start.

Part of the crew was forced to spend time below the decks to fix the leaking keel ram – leaving the rest shorthanded as they navigated through the Gibraltar Strait.

The ups and downs continued when the team dropped to last place after reaching third overall at one stage – a tactical maneuver to cross an area known as the Doldrums giving advantage to the competition which chose the western route.

The team kept their eye on the sky, however, and prepared well for the anticipated storm force winds. A solid run through the South Atlantic saw them pass Team Delta Lloyd and Telefonica Black and they held on to that sixth place for some 500 miles to the finish.

Team Russia remains in last place however in what is their debut year. But no matter, it is still a happy homecoming for South African crew member Cam Wills who was at helm when the team crossed the finish line.

Some of his crew mates, like Stig Westergaard, Team Russia Watch Captain, are simply glad to be on solid ground.

“It’s fantastic to get to shore with firm ground under your feet and to have some decent food,” he said. “I have to say I do not take to freeze dried food, I lose lots of kilos every single leg and I feel like a mental patient with a straight jacket on having to force feed myself all the time. It is really horrible.”
 
The Watch Captain is unlikely to be putting on the pounds this month as well – another tough route from Capetown to the Indian city of Kochi is due to start on November 15.