Volvo Ocean Race - Better safe than sorry

by Agathe Armand on 23 Mar 2015 Volvo Ocean Race 2014 / 2015 - Three years ago, Iker Martínez’s boat crossed the Southern Ocean in more than 60 knots of wind.

Telefónica’s bow was damaged and bowman Antonio Cuervas-Mons suffered a back injury.

The Spanish team had to stop at Cabo de Hornos National Park to repair the bow and Ñeti was taken off for treatment.

The episode, a painful memory for all onboard, helped allow PUMA to win Leg 5 of the 2011-12 edition in Itajaí.

Well, Iker is back in the Southern Ocean with yet another Spanish boat, MAPFRE. And he does not want to visit the Cabo de Hornos again.

'The previous days were tough and we’ve heard a very bad noise coming from this area, from the bow', he said today.

'I remember when this same area got delaminated last time around. It's not the same now, but we’d rather be cautious and avoid problems – so we’ve reinforced the area.”

Iker and Ñeti – who’s part of his crew again – have used the main sail battens to reinforce the Volvo Ocean 65’s bow. They’ve also had to work on the outriggers, fixing one of them so far.

He's being prudent. “We've been working hard so that everything is in perfect condition and we hope to be able to push again.”