Alicante

The Telefonica Team has published a 5-minute video from today’s race start in Alicante that gives a good idea of the tough conditions that prevail throughout most of the southern part of the Iberian peninsula, from Valencia all the way down to Gibraltar. According to the local unscientific TV weather forecast, crews should expect up to 60 knots of breeze in the Strait.

The video is obviously biased towards the two local Spanish boats.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] The long-awaited start day of leg one of the 10th running of the Volvo Ocean race dawned grey and very windy in Alicante, just as the forecasters had predicted, but it did not dampen the spirits of the 88 sailors who have been anxious to get this 6,500 nautical mile to Cape Town underway.

Nor did it dampen the spirits of His Majesty King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain and his two daughters. The Infanta Doña Elena left the dock with her father onboard Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED) and the Infanta Doña Cristina was onboard Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP). The royal party was then transferred by RIB to the Spanish Navy frigate Principe de Asturias where they joined Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, to watch the start.

The Bishop of Alicante-Orihuela blessed the fleet in traditional fashion before, one by one, the crews threw off their lines, waved to the huge crowd lining the harbour and departed the basin which has been their home for the past few weeks, to the sound of their team music. Fireworks exploded over the race village, while overhead Spain’s Blue Arrows aerobatic team gave a breath-taking display. Over 900,000 visitors have visited the race village since it opened on 19 September.

Start of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. Alicante, 11 October 2008. Photo copyright Dave Kneale / Volvo Ocean Race

Out on the race track, conditions were wild. A strong north-easterly breeze of 25 – 30 knots meant a windy start for the fleet which had to sail a short lap of the Bay of Alicante before heading back round a turning mark and out to sea. A simple breakage today could be very costly. Race winner in 1997-98 and second in 2005-06, American skipper Paul Cayard once said, “You can’t win the Volvo Ocean Race on the first night, but you can certainly lose it,” and these wise words were echoing in the minds of the eight skippers as they jostled for position on the start line.

Waves were breaking over the boats as the teams held them into the wind to hoist their reefed mainsails. Most opted for small headsails, although Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR) chose a large masthead genoa.

As the start gun fired from the Spanish frigate, the fleet split, and it was Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA) who rounded the windward mark ahead of PUMA (Ken Read/USA) and Ericsson 3 (Anders Lewander SWE) in a surprise third place.

Further down the fleet, the two Spanish boats, Telefónica Black and Telefónica Blue rounded the weather mark fourth and fifth followed by Team Russia. Green Dragon, who had struggled to sail as high as the rest of the fleet with their large genoa, were seventh, and Delta Lloyd (Ger O’Rourke/IRL) completed the fleet in eighth place.

The power was on as the fleet hoisted spinnakers and smoked down the leeward leg towards the final turning mark. Torben Grael kept his pole position and led the fleet as they began their sleigh ride towards Gibraltar. PUMA maintained second place, while Telefónica Blue moved up to third and Ericsson 3 dropped to fourth. Telefónica Black slipped to fifth place and Green Dragon moved up to sixth. In seventh and eighth places, as the fleet headed off on this 6,500 nautical mile leg to Cape Town, were Delta Lloyd and Team Russia.

Start of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. Alicante, 11 October 2008. Photo copyright Dave Kneale / Volvo Ocean Race

Weather with Jennifer Lilly, Volvo Ocean Race Weather Forecaster
Throughout today there will be a north-easterly breeze of around 20 knots. After the start, the wind speeds will average in the low 20s with possible gusts over 30 knots. The direction will generally be north-easterly, but there may be right shifts which could go as far as easterly by the end of the day.

Even more significant than the wind will be the seas. The sailors can expect swells to nearly three metres with additional wind-driven chop on top.

Both the winds and the seas are expected to decrease as the fleet heads south-west towards the Straits of Gibraltar. The question is just how quickly the conditions will calm down. For now it looks like about 12 good hours of fast sailing before things start to slow down. However, before anyone reaches the Straits of Gibraltar, the wind speeds are expected to drop below five knots.

Start of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. Alicante, 11 October 2008. Photo copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] The International Jury has ruled that it will not re-open the case involving the keel fin of Ericsson 3.

In a statement, Ericsson Racing Team, said that they were informed of the Jury’s decision last night (10 October) at 6:30 pm, 20 hours before the start of the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race.

The statement went on: “This follows a request from the team to re-open the case due to significant errors during the hearing that followed the Rules Management Group (RMG) ruling on Sept. 23.The Organizing Authority (OA) then applied to the International Jury for permission to allow Ericsson 3 to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race by invoking Amendment 9 of the Notice of Race.

“The Organizing Authority, the RMG, the International Jury, and ERT have all agreed that Ericsson 3 is a valid entry in the race and does not have any performance advantage. The International Jury ruled on 28th September that Ericsson 3 would be subject to a point score penalty for every in port race, every scoring gate and every offshore leg.

“We very much hoped that the International Jury would re-open the case. This could have allowed us to present our evidence and have a oral hearing, rather than one by e-mail,” said Richard Brisius, Managing Director, Ericsson Racing Team. “This is obviously disappointing for Ericsson Racing Team, and in particular to the crew of Ericsson 3. We are now going to put this to one side and get on with racing.”

“We came here to race against the other teams, and with a 4-point penalty by the time we get to Cape Town, we’re going to have to work even harder,” said Ericsson 3 skipper Anders Lewander. “Despite this blow, we are looking forward to racing and competing on an equal level with the other teams in the race.”

Ericsson have confirmed that they currently have a new keel in construction in Italy and the team are striving to ensure that this is ready in time for the departure from Cape Town to Cochin, India.

Last night’s preliminary response email from the International Jury will be followed by a full decision in one to two days’ time.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Telefonica Blue won the first race of the day, after dominating it from the start. Unlike what was forecast yesterday, Saturday’s conditions were dominated by light and shifty winds, up to 40 degrees at times, that, unfortunately didn’t allow the hundreds of spectator boats to truly appreciate the powerful Volvo Open 70 yachts. The race committee had to wait around 15 minutes for the breeze to settle down before firing the starting gun.

The yacht skippered by Bouwe Bekking didn’t encounter any problems in establishing and keeping a lead but the true fight was taking place for 2nd and 3rd place, between their sistership Telefonica Black and Green Dragon. The Spanish and Chino-Irish boats were alternating positions until the last weather mark. Telefonica, with a first and a second, couldn’t have asked for a better beginning of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The two Ericsson boats were a disappointment, especially Ericsson 4, the boat helmed by Torben Grael. Although it did recover and climbed positions, Grael had a very bad start by being late and getting squeezed on the committee boat end of the line.

Start of the 1st race. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the 1st race. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Telefonica Blue leads at the approach to the 1st weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Green Dragon rounds the weather mark second. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Telefonica Black starts the 1st run in third place. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Preparing to hoist the spinnaker on Ericsson 4 at the weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The VOR70 fleet in the second run. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Russia at the weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Telefonica Blue crosses the middle gate comfortably ahead of the fleet in the second beat. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Telefonica Black and Green Dragon approaching the 2nd weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ericsson 4 readying to hoist the spinnaker at the 2nd weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The leaders of the race in last run. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Puma approaching the 2nd weather mark. Alicante, 4 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Valencia Sailing returns to Alicante for the VOR inport race on Saturday. There will probably be no updates today Friday but, obviously, a full report and dozens of hi-res photos on Saturday.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Related PDF documents

International Jury Decision on Ericsson 3’s keel

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] Ericsson 3 was today handed a scoring penalty by the International Jury for failure to comply with the Volvo Open 70 measurement rule relating to their keel.

The decision was taken after the race Organising Authority applied to the Jury for dispensation to allow Ericsson 3 to race without having been issued a measurement certificate.

Anders Lewander and his crew will be eligible to compete without that certificate but the penalty will be a one point deduction for each in-port race day, one point for each scoring waypoint and two points for each offshore leg.

The penalty will apply as long as Ericsson 3 continues to use their existing non-compliant keel. Ericsson 3’s score shall not be less than 0 points in each instance.

At issue are several cavities in the keel, which have been filled with steel rods in an effort to comply with the measurement definition of ‘solid’. Despite attempting to completely fill the cavities with a series of steel rods, some voids remain.

The total weight this represents is 0.625 kilograms. The measurers have proposed that Ericsson 3 be fitted with an equivalent corrector weight to ensure that no advantage is gained.

Reading from the written Jury decision, Bryan Willis, Chairman of the International Jury, said: “At a meeting on 28th April, ERT proposed a solution involving freezing sections of steel rod the same diameter as the bored holes and inserting them into the cavities.

“…(But) the freezing process was not used; instead, without prior approval of the RMG, rods with diameters lesser than that the voids were inserted and welded in place. The Chief Measurer observed the modification process and advised ERT representatives that the keel was still not solid and therefore in his opinion did not comply with the Rule.

“In the latter part of August 2008, ERT accepted that it would not be possible to carry out a procedure which would completely fill the holes and satisfy the requirement of the rule.

“The Jury is satisfied that, for a period of time, it was not unreasonable for ERT to hold the opinion that it might be possible to completely fill the holes and thereby become compliant.

“However, not having received approval from the RMG for any practical procedure, there became a time at which the idea of filling the holes should have been abandoned and a new keel built.

“The Jury is of the opinion that as a general principle, it is important that all yachts in a race hold a valid Measurement Certificate. This creates a ‘level playing field’ which is of fundamental importance to the sport.”

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Here is the first bunch of raw photos from the Volvo Ocean Race Village in Alicante. It is by the far the biggest ever built for the round-the-world race. The inaugural show will start in about 2 hours from now.

Part of the Village with the Telefonica and Ericsson boats. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Telefonica base. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Puma Racing base. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two Ericsson boats. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two Ericsson boats. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Telefonica lounge has direct views on the inshore race area. Alicante, 19 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Good morning from Valencia.

There will be no updates till late in the afternoon as we go to Alicante for the official inauguration of the Volvo Ocean Race Village. From what we hear it is impressive, unlike any other built for the round-the-world race.

Stay tuned for our full report.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] Team Delta Lloyd arrived in Alicante today with a message for its rivals: “Underestimate us at your peril.”

The syndicate, which used the six-day crossing from Cork as its 2,000-mile qualifier, is the last team to reach the start port.

Only three weeks ago the team had not concluded deals with its Dutch backer, while its shore crew of eight is smaller than any other in the field.

Irrespective of the statistics, Ger O’Rourke, who will skipper the boat formerly known as ABN AMRO ONE, is adamant his team can raise some eyebrows. He said: “We are behind the eight-ball, make no mistake. We clearly are the underdogs and we aren’t fighting that. Preparation is vital in this race and we have not had much of that. If you look at our shore operation, there are eight people including my daughter. We will also be using some volunteers.”

Delta Lloyd arrives in Alicante. 17 September 2008. Photo coyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race

“In all, it means we have a lot of work to do, but I would not have entered this race if I thought we could not win it.”

The Irishman figures that his team’s lack of preparation time will hinder his team early in the race, but expects the effect to be nullified by the point scoring system which is weighted towards the second half of the race.

He added: “I don’t imagine we will be super competitive in the first leg because we need more time to learn about this boat, but by the second and third legs I think we can be up to speed.

“As I said, we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think we can win. We are confident; we have a boat that has won this event before and we think it would be foolish for people to underestimate us.”

Crewmember Stuart Molloy, who was onboard for the delivery, explained the team did not try to break any records on its crossing.

He said: “We didn’t push things; it was very much a delivery crossing. We occasionally let her go to 25 to 26 knots and ran hard downwind, but there was a bit of caution because our canards and stuff don’t have the right bearings on and our running rigging is being replaced.

“We are replacing pretty much everything on here. It’s a nice long job list.”

“It was a good ride. We had the A3 on for three or four days and didn’t drop below 20 knots. As we got closer to the Med it was lighter and lighter and then from the Gibraltar Straits to here it was light and on the wind.

“This boat is still really quick and the excitement level goes through the roof. You really need time to learn these boats, but with a bit of that we can really impress some people.
“You can’t tell what will happen until we all line up and go at it.”

Delta Lloyd arrives in Alicante. 17 September 2008. Photo coyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Team Russia] Team Russia’s Volvo 70 Kosatka reached Alicante this morning after its delivery trip from Portland, UK. This was the last offshore experience for the boat and the crew before the start of its round the world adventure. The preparation for the race is almost at its final point as all teams meet in Alicante before the first in shore race on the 4th of October.

Just after the arrival Team Russia’s skipper Andreas Hanakamp was happy to share his latest views on the boat and the team, “It was a very enjoyable trip to complete before we begin the serious racing. In terms of preparation, it was very important to see again on a long distance leg how the boat and the team are performing. And I’m very, very happy about where we’re in terms of boat performance, the team and how everything is coming together. We’re near to accomplishing the building of a really great team.

“As for the boat performance, it’s always a learning curve and that’s also why we all love this sport. Of course we’ve now got a lot more information and knowledge about the boats performance, but we never stop learning more and more. And that will last through the whole race, this is the special feature of sailing!”

Team Russia’s “Kosatka” has arrived in the Volvo Ocean Race start port. Alicante, 15 September 2008. Photo copyright Holger Ronitz

Team Russia’s “Kosatka” has arrived in the Volvo Ocean Race start port. Alicante, 15 September 2008. Photo copyright Holger Ronitz

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Team Russia] Kosatka, Team Russia’s challenger for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, has left Portland, UK, bound for the start port of Alicante.

Skipper Andreas Hanakamp and his crew have been preparing Kosatka for this moment, fighting the terrible weather in the UK over the last week. A series of low-pressure systems brought torrential floods and gale force winds preventing the shore team from reattaching the keel and stepping its new mast. With a break in the weather on Monday, it was all hands on deck to reassemble the boat after a major refit, upgrades and refinements. Kosatka is expected to arrive in Spain by the weekend.

Team Russia leaves Portland and heads to Alicante. Portland, 9 September 2008. Photo copyright Team Russia

Ukrainian helmsman Rodion Luka joins the team for the delivery. Rodion has just returned from the Olympics in Qingdao, China where he was representing his country in the 49er class. Nina Gruendler the Team Russia’s doctor is also onboard, during the passage she will be running through a series of medical emergencies to train the crew how to a handle everything from fractures to head injuries.

Once in Alicante, the Team Russia crew will participate in safety training, weather briefing and team preparations while Kosatka is officially measured. The team will then prepare for the in-port and pro-am races on October 4-5, prior to the start of the first leg to Cape Town on October 11.

“Portland’s been a great training base for the last three months, but now we’re looking forward to going to Spain,” said Hanakamp as he left the dock for the 1700 mile sail south to Alicante.

Michael Woods, Team Russia’s CEO added, “ Portland has been a fantastic training base and will no doubt provide and excellent venue for the Olympic in 2012.”

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: PUMA Ocean Racing] PUMA Ocean Racing and their boat il mostro arrived in Alicante, Spain mid afternoon (CET) today. The team’s arrival marks the successful completion of their transatlantic delivery of il mostro in preparation of the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

“We called this our team’s “Leg 1.” It was great practice for our boat and team,” said skipper Ken Read. “We were able to work out some kinks and really come together as a team. Our goal at the beginning of this project was to get a great team of guys on il mostro, and I can confidently say we have succeeded. Our boat performed well, and we’re looking forward to getting this race started.”

il mostro and the PUMA Ocean racing Team will remain in Spain until the start of the Race in October. The team still has to undergo safety training, weather briefs and il mostro will undergo official measurement by Volvo Officials. The race kicks off on October 4-5 with the In-Port and Pro Am Races. The seven entered teams will begin Leg 1 to Cape Town on October 11.

Puma’s il Mostro arrives in Alicante. Alicante, 5 September 2008. Photo copyright Sally Collison / PUMA Ocean Racing

Puma’s il Mostro arrives in Alicante. Alicante, 5 September 2008. Photo copyright Sally Collison / PUMA Ocean Racing

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] The Extreme 40 Series will be part of the on-the-water entertainment package at selected stopovers during the 2008-09 race.

The Extreme 40s will feature in Alicante, Singapore, Qingdao, Boston and Stockholm with fleets of up to 10 boats.

The Extreme 40 is a new generation of mid-sized sports catamaran. The brainchild of Tornado Sport founder, Herbert Dercksen, it is a strict one-design catamaran that has been purposely designed and built to race inshore and short offshore regattas.

The concept is simple, it is easy to sail, lightweight, easily transportable and like the Volvo Open 70’s that will compete in the race, it is at the forefront of sailing technology.

In each port, the racing will take place between the in-port race weekend and the leg start weekend.

In the previous Volvo, the Extreme 40 series included over 80 races, in five countries, during seven months. Knut Frostad, Chief Executive Officer of the Volvo Ocean Race, said: “The inclusion of the Extreme 40s is based on the excitement the series generated in 2005-06.

“At stopovers during the previous Volvo, the Extreme 40s provided some fantastic racing and they are sure to catch the eye of visitors to the race village again this time round.”

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Here are the first images from the arrival of the brand new “Telefonica Negro” VOR boat from New Zealand.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back