dragons well prepared for Volvo Ocean Race leg five

by Volvo Ocean race media on 6 Mar 2002 The Norwegian team, djuice dragons, who finished second in leg four of
the Volvo Ocean Race from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro, is fit for a fight
and ready for the start of leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race. After one
week’s holiday, well away from the world of sailing, the team has gathered
back in Rio de Janeiro for final preparation.

“I have had such a good break and feel very refreshed – the best I’ve felt
in the race so far,” says skipper Knut Frostad. “All the guys are well
rested. Some went back to their home countries, others discovered areas of
Brazil. All in all, we’re feeling pretty good physically and looking for a
strong race to Miami.”

The technical shore team has been busy repairing the minor damage from leg
four, as well as preparing the boat for the hot, humid leg ahead where the
boat will cross back through the equatorial Doldrums where fickle winds
make navigation a complex science.

Seven sails have been subbed into leg five’s wardrobe, including a new
mainsail. “We also have a new code zero and new code 6,” says sail manager
Paul Davis. “These were scheduled replacements and thankfully coincide
with the sails that got damaged in the Southern Ocean. We have also
reconditioned an old reacher and code 3 spinnaker.”

Crew changes for leg five include the return of Espen Guttormsen who
missed the last leg due to poisoning in his knee. Franck Proffit (FRA) and
Herve Cunningham (FRA) will also join the dragons making the French
contingent on the team very potent. Peter ‘Spike’ Doriean leaves the team
and will be replaced by Dave Jarvis who has been part of the sail-making
team with djuice dragons for the last year.

Crew for leg five:

Knut Frostad (NOR)

Jean-Yves Bernot (FRA)

Espen Guttormsen (NOR)

Jacques Vincent (FRA)

Stig Westergaard (DEN)

Arve Roaas (NOR)

Anthony “Nocka” Nossiter (AUS)

Franck Proffit (FRA)

Herve Cunningham (FRA)

Dave Jarvis (CAN)

Mikael Lunde (SWE)

Jonas Wackenhuth (SWE)