Calahan in limbo, no decision from team

by Kirsty Nicholls on 6 Dec 2005 Australian Adrienne Cahalan's position as navigator aboard Brasil 1 in the Volvo Ocean Race is in limbo after the team denied it had told her that her services were no longer required.

Responding to Cahalan's announcement that she has been replaced as navigator aboard Brasil 1, which finished third in the first leg of the around the world race to Cape Town and is overall equal second, the team issued the following statement.

'The Brasil 1 Team was surprised by Adrienne Cahalan's statement that she was out of the team for the remaining of the Volvo Ocean Race. No decisions have been taken so far. This subject will be discussed in a meeting (on) Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.

'During the first leg, trimmer Marcelo Ferreira was out of the sailing watches for some days due to a medical problem and Adrienne Cahalan wasn't planned to take part in the watches. The only issue here being the great physical strength required for the job. The situation of having two crew members out of the sailing watches will be the subject of the scheduled meeting.

'The idea that will be discussed is having Adrienne on the Brasil 1 as team's meteorologist and including a navigator who will be a part of the sailing watches for the Southern Ocean legs. Afterwards, there is the possibility of having Adrienne back to the crew for the remainder of the race.

'That idea is still the one we are supporting.

'Adrienne has done an important job for the team and we do not want her to stop helping us,' added Brasil 1 skipper, Torben Grael.

The only female in the Volvo Ocean Race, Cahalan, 41, from Sydney, is recognised as one of the world's best offshore navigators.

Before leaving Cape Town for Sydney, Cahalan had said: 'Yesterday I was informed by team manager Alan Adler that I was to be replaced as navigator on Brasil 1.

'Regrettably it was not Torben himself who told me of this decision. I am very disappointed not to be able to sail the remaining legs in the race with Brasil 1 and particularly the Southern Ocean legs coming in and out of Australia.

'I thought strategically we did a good job. Torben and I got along well philosophically and conceptually in the way we sailed the boat. Maybe it's the inexperience that they haven't seen a bad campaign that they don?t actually know when they've got a good one.

'I am and have been fully committed to both Brasil 1 and the Volvo Ocean Race for the past year and in light of our good results so far I was very surprised and disappointed to be told of Torben's decision.'

Meanwhile, Australian yacht Sunergy and Friends, skippered by Grant Wharington, is on course to arrive in Cape Town late tonight Australian time, claiming fifth place in the opening leg of the race.

The Volvo Ocean Race meteorologist has predicted a tricky entry in to Cape Town for the boat. With the finish line in the shadow of Table Mountain, the winds could die or become shifty, providing one final frustration for the impatient crew.

The Volvo Ocean Race is due to arrive in Melbourne on January 17 after completing leg two of the 31,250 nautical mile around the world race.

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