Volvo Ocean Race - Team SCA reflects on Alicante In-Port Race

by Team SCA on 5 Oct 2014 Today saw the first Volvo Ocean Race In-Port Race for Team SCA. The crew of the all-women’s team reflect on the action.

Annie Lush (GBR): It’s a really short and fast intense racecourse and it's hectic onboard but the good thing was everything was quite clean. Of course there are a few small things to improve on and for us the most disappointing thing was the start, where we set off on the wrong foot, but I think our performance today show we can gain back any lost ground. It was frustrating because around the rest of the course our speed and our maneuvers were showing we could be up there with the fleet, so onwards and upwards from here.

How intense is the racing for everyone onboard?

I didn’t actually know who had won the race, or who had come first, second or third to be honest because you just know where you are on the boat, and all you are focusing on is grinding, looking at the sheets and checking the instruments and you don’t sit still for more than two seconds. The driver and the tactician know where you are but for most of the crew, you have to concentrate on what you are doing onboard instead.

Does today make the start of the race all that more real for you?

I think this morning when I woke up and suddenly had lots of messages from friends and people around the world wishing me luck for the day, it felt like the first day of the Olympics and felt quite real. Before that I had been focused on the leg start and the offshore element, but it has now officially started today and we have some points on the board, but it's great to finally be racing

Liz Wardley (AUS): The vibe was pretty busy, it was full on. That was seriously the first time I have come off the water and felt this exhausted. Everyone worked really really hard, we stepped it up to another level today and we know the result doesn’t show that but we’re on the right foot and going in the right direction. Everyone worked so well together.

How was it to get the first official race under your belt?

Well it’s all started now, it goes to the next phase, training is over and we’re into it. It definitely makes us more aware that we’re about to sail around the world!



InPort Race Results, October 4th - Alicante, Spain

1. Alvimedica
2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
3. Mapre
4. Brunel
5. Dongfeng Racing
6. Team SCA
7. Team Vestas Team SCA Volvo Ocean Race