Volvo Ocean Race - Sailors prepare for second longest route

by Jonno Turner on 11 Oct 2014 At 6,487 nm, Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race is the second longest route in the race, but is symbolic of much more than just a trip from A to B.

Going away can be stressful at the best of times – and when faced with anywhere between 23 and 27 sweaty, isolated days at sea, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need.

'Basically, two sets of thermals and a couple of pairs of underpants should do me fine!' laughs Team Vestas Wind’s 23-year-old Tom Johnson, days before setting off on his first trip around the world.

He must be getting a little anxious, right? 'Well, we’ve been so busy we’ve not really had time to think about being nervous,' he says.

'I don't know if it helps, but it's not a disadvantage - we are so fired up, whereas maybe after two years of preparation on the same boat it could get a little bit tedious'.

At the other end of the experience spectrum, Tom’s fellow Australian, Team Brunel navigator Andrew Cape, has already clocked up five Volvo Ocean Races, and many more emotional goodbyes.

His family, who have arrived in Alicante to say their goodbyes to dad, to hubby, are 'totally used to it,' he says.

But he’s not being complacent. He's still taking time to prepare himself for the extremity of the three weeks ahead.

'The plan is to relax and keep an eye on the weather,' he smiles. 'I’m going home early, and making sure I don’t get stressed out. I’m feeling pretty good.'

And, according to his forecast, the weather for this weekend is also pretty relaxed - maybe too relaxed.

'The Med's never easy - the forecast is never super accurate for it. Last time it was horrible as it was windy upwind, it was about 35 knots, and we were tacking to keep out of the wind - this time it may be the opposite, we'll be looking for it.'

Early signs suggest that the wind will be gusting lightly at around eight knots from as the start gun sounds on Saturday afternoon.

'It’s a mixed leg,' explains Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Ian Walker. 'It’s fantastic, strategic, there’s lots of downwind sailing, lots of tropical sailing. It’s one of the most testing in the race.'

He continues. 'Obviously we’d love to win, but if someone was to offer me top two at this stage, I’d probably take it. The first thing we’ve got to do is just get out of the Med – and the emphasis there is on not losing the race, not making any stupid decisions.'

And that’s not as easy as it sounds – not with adrenaline flooding the veins, and nervous energy fogging up the brain.

'There will be some nerves,' admits Team Alvimedica’s Charlie Enright, a Volvo first-timer and the youngest skipper in the race, who has had this date circled in his diary for over a year. 'But I think there’ll also be a feeling of relief.'

'We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. We’ve put a lot into it, and now we’re ready to hit the road.'

Team SCA’s Justine Mettraux feels that, after two long years of training together, the moment that her team sees the Alicante coastline fades into the horizon will be a memorable one.

'It will be a difficult time, with a lot of different emotions,' she says. 'We must contain them so that we can be focused, and do our jobs properly.'

After the Med comes the Gibraltar Strait, the gate to the Atlantic Ocean – a notoriously tricky transition point, full of traffic, where the weather runs at extremes – and a big decision.

What’s the fastest way to reach the Fernando de Noronha waypoint, off the Brazilian coast? Well, we’ll have to wait and see, says Mapfre navigator Nico Lunven.

'It’s a leg with a lot of transitions and sections, and there are different possible situations before the Doldrums. It’s a very complex area,' he adds.

'If I do all the navigation work too early, it will change, but I will have a scenario stuck in my mind. Instead, I’ll do it step by step, and pick a possible scenario.'

Like many others about to embark upon this incredible adventure, the Frenchman has never crossed the Equator – traditionally, a time for the sailors to take stock, and play a few pranks.

'I'm very worried about it, considering the dudes we've got onboard!' he laughs.

As the boats crash through the invisible line and into the Southern Hemisphere, they’ll hit the Doldrums - 'a very complex area from a weather and tactical point of view,' adds Nico. 'If you can pick all the right options, it’ll be a great leg!'

Over at Dongfeng Race Team, skipper Charles and his crew member Martin Strömberg know firsthand exactly what can happen when you pick the wrong option.

Their Groupama team took a big – and failed - gamble last edition, and ended up finishing five days after their opponents.

'Leg 1 wasn’t great for us last race – it’s definitely not an easy leg,' admits solo Swede Martin. 'But I’m looking forward to getting out there again and seeing what happens.'

With two round the world races under his belt already, he feels rejuvenated by the injection of youthful exuberance that the Chinese recruits have provided.

'Sometimes, for me, it almost feels routine,' he explains. 'But they’re all so excited, and that gives me a boost as well.'

There’s a tangible sense of anticipation across all of the seven team bases – a focus on the task ahead.

'We’ve been in Alicante a month, and it’s been very nice, but it’s time to go now,' adds Martin. 'Real life starts.'

I guess that for those who feel most comfortable at sea, this weekend isn’t so much about going away – it’s about going Volvo Ocean Race