| RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL), -(19-5-2005) While docked at the Marina da Gloria port in Rio de Janeiro, today the
ten members of the “movistar” VO 70 packed aboard the last provisions
needed to complete their next transatalntic training leg to Galicia,
Spain, in preparation for the Volvo Ocean Race. Awaiting them ahead are
5,000 miles of North-Northwest sailing on the Atlantic Ocean, including
the rounding of Fernando da Noronha (flying finish of Legs 1 and 5 of the
Volvo Ocean Race), and Cabo Verde.
Since her arrival at Rio de Janeiro last April 22nd, the impressive
Volvo Open 70 has been subject to a thorough process of review, analysis
and control of each and every one of its components. “We have gone
through every piece of equipment– says Bouwe Bekking, Skipper -. We have
sent the pivoting keels back to the US manufacturer for a complete check
and removed all winches. You can rightly say that nothing has been left
unchecked”.
After sailing 8,100 miles from Newcastle, Australia, the team has
gathered a great amount of relevant data on the boat’s funtioning. Andrew
Cape is one of the persons responsible for data collection and
management. “From my position as Navigator, I have gathered an
extraordinary amount of information that will be used to optimize boat
performance. The conclusions obtained have been employed in the fine
tuning of the boat, a competitive advantage we will use during the race.”
“We have made some changes on the rigging – continues Pepe Ribes,
Bowman – and new appendages have been installed (rudder and drift keels),
to test whether they provide greater speed than the earlier versions”.
“Furthermore, we have taken the opportunity to change the boat’s
corporate imagery – comments Pedro Campos, General Manager of the team –
including the new logo of movistar, our main sponsor, as well as those of
other companies which support the project”.
The movistar team: ready and set to go
All the crew members start off on this last oceanic treck fresh from a
well-deserved rest, carried out shortly after arrival in Río. “After the
rough trip from Australia to New Zealand, then on to Brazil, everyone was
keen to enjoy a little break from life onboard – recalls Iker Martínez,
Offshore Helmsman from the pier, before setting to the sea again -. We
maintained our individual weights pretty well on this last training leg,
and everyone on the team has recovered to top form surprisingly well”.
“Going back to my hometown of Ibarra, Spain, was a great relief for me.
I gained back the weight I had lost between New Zealand and Brazil. As
they say, there is nowhere like home! We’re in top shape to face this new
stage of training between Rio de Janeiro and Spain”, adds Xabi Martínez,
Jib trimmer and 49er Gold Medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with
teammate Iker.
Homeward bound for Spain
The “movistar” is already sailing toward Galicia. “The boat is headed
for its headquarters, where it will be based for the next few months –
says Galician Pedro Campos proudly -. If our calculations are correct, we
will arrive in Galicia around June 4, putting another 5,000 more miles on
the boat’s counter. We will taker her out of the water again upon arrival
for another review, and then continue on in the training schedule that
will include a few regattas in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean”.
Bouwe Bekking notes the estimated arrival date in Galicia may change
depending on the conditions that might be encountered during the Atlantic
crossing. “There are no strong breezes, but you never know, sometimes
Neptune keeps a few surprises up his sleeve. The Doldrums area – the
point where both hemispheres meet, known for its frequent dead calm seas
–; is always a big question mark for sailors. If we come across the
so-called good waves, we’ll enjoy smooth swif sailing. If we are unlucky,
we could spend several days without the slightest breeze”.
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