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Volvo Ocean Race- Telefónica starts on her qualifying 2000nm voyage

by Volvo Ocean Race Media on 17 May 2011
Telefonica skipper and Double Olympic medalist, Iker Martinez from Spain, takes the newly launched Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 entry out on the water, before leaving the start port of Alicante, Spain, for their training base in Lanzarote. Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com

Team Telefónica left her base in Alicante this morning for Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Skipper Iker Martínez and his crew will attempt to complete the 2000-mile qualifying passage required for all entries in the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race.

'It took nine months to build her, so everyone is really looking forward to get out there and sail to see how everything is working,' said Martínez. After being unveiled in her Valencia’s boatyard, Telefónica’s new Volvo Open 70 has been prepared and tested for 20 days in Alicante.

'We've done some sailing this week here and it’s a great place to carry out the first test sails. We have been very careful not to break anything, looking at what was working and what wasn’t.'


The double Olympic medallist and Olympic champion also grabbed second position in the Barcelona World Race a few weeks ago. He is now looking forward to some more offshore sailing. 'We are now going to do some ocean sailing to reach the Canary Islands. It’s a pretty serious matter. The training begins. Here we go!

'We are going to try to break everything there is to break. That may sound crazy, but it makes things easier when racing. It will also help us to learn about the boat and how to sail her in tough and medium conditions.'


'Our objectives are to test the boat, to push her and to attempt the 2000 qualifying miles,' adds trimmer Xabi Fernández. 'We will try to use the maximum number of sails and we will test the mast and the boat itself.

'Leaving the Mediterranean Sea, we will head towards the Atlantic and I'm sure we'll get some tough conditions. We need to get to know the boat. It’s the first time for most of us to sail a Juan K’s design. We are really looking forward to it – especially after seeing their performances during previous races.'

US sources have told Sail-World that Puma Racing have just completed their 2000nm non-stop Qualifying Voyage, which involved a sail to Florida and return to Newport RI.










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