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Three days after its arrival in Cape Town, the Spanish team is preparing for leg 2, which will start next Wednesday the 19th
Cape Town (South Africa), 10th November 2014
Today is the third day of the Spanish boat “MAPFRE” in Cape Town. Three days of work on shore to have both the boat and crew ready for the next leg. The aim of the team is to improve their performance and result.
The boat will be out of the water until tomorrow
After “MAPFRE” sailed 8,525.9 nm in the first leg and despite some problems with the engine, batteries and minor breakages, in general she has arrived in Cape Town in good shape.
This contrasts with previous editions, when the boats used to finish the legs with major breakages. Teams had to focus on repairing the most important things. The One-Design Volvo Ocean 65s are quite solid, hence the job list includes the general maintenance and fine details to polish.
“MAPFRE” will be back in the water tomorrow Tuesday.
Crew for the 2nd leg
In these three days the crew list for Leg 2 has started to take shape. 6,125 nm to sail from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi and a not very well-known leg –it was new in the last edition but due to the piracy it was neutralised, so never completely sailed- where the experience will be a key point.
Jean-Luc Nélias, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 with the French team, will be on board “MAPFRE” for the second leg. Nélias, who was already in Alicante working with the Spanish team on the role of weather analyst, will be the navigator instead of Nico Lunven.
On the other hand, Michel Desjoyeaux will remain available to the Spanish team, although both parties have decided he will not be on board in the following legs. In the coming days it will be announced who will replace him.
“The decision to stop sailing with ‘MAPFRE’ is a shared one. These aren’t easy decisions to make, but there are part of the life of a team too. We’ve seen similar stories in the past. These teams bring top athletes together, with strong personalities. It’s one of the parameters to manage in the Volvo Ocean Race. You got to orchestrate everything. Even if I won’t sail with ‘MAPFRE’ anymore, I didn’t waste my time. I brought my own contribution to the project. It’s a great team, with really good guys onboard!,” says Desjoyeaux.
The priority for “MAPFRE” is now to have the boat ready to sail as soon as possible, since the practice race will be held on Friday. To be able to train with the crew that will sail in the second leg is another priority in the list of the team skippered by Spaniard Iker Martínez.
KEY DATES IN CAPE TOWN
Friday, 14th November
07.30 UTC – Skippers press conference
11.00 UTC – Practice race
13.00 UTC – Pro Am Race 1
17.00 UTC – Leg 1 Prize Giving
Saturday, 15th November
12.00 UTC – In Port Race
15.00 UTC – In Port Race Prize Giving
Sunday, 16th November
11.00 UTC – Pro Am Race 2 & 3
Wednesday, 19th November
16.00 UTC – Start Leg 2, from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi
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