Anyone who is under the impression that ocean sailing lacks excitement should watch the accompanying video, which shows CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson (on the left) and one of his crew under assault by giant swells crashing over the bow. The harrowing episode played out this week on the Bay of Biscay in the North Atlantic, during Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Lisbon, Portugal, to Lorient in northwestern France.

Groupama was first to complete the leg in first place, with CAMPER poised to come in second.

The around-the-world competition is regarded as an exceptional test of sailing prowess and stamina, and because teams are looking for the swiftest winds they’re often placed in tense situations.

Another of these situations also involved CAMPER, which narrowly avoided striking a whale during Leg 7 from Miami to Lisbon.

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