The feeling that this year’s Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) could be among the most tightly contested in years has been growing from the very start of preparations.
That notion was reinforced this week in Alicante, when the seven teams took part in Leg Zero, a dry run before the official race begins with an in-port race on October 4 and the first leg a week later.
Five of the seven boats finished within 20 minutes of each other in the two-day sail from Alicante to Mallorca and back.
Indeed, just 10 seconds separated the winner, Team Vestas, from Team Brunel, effectively a photo finish for sailing. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s (ADOR) Azzam continued its strong build-up, finishing 12 minutes behind, in third place.
The biggest reason for the parity, of course, has been the levelling of the playing field with the introduction of the one-design Volvo 65, which for the first time in event history gives each team the same vessel. The impact was underscored by the winner of Leg Zero, Denmark’s Team Vestas.
The boat, skippered by the Australian Chris Nicholson, only officially entered the VOR last month. It is believed to be the latest any team has entered a race that can require up to a year’s preparation beforehand. But the one-design philosophy not only allowed for a late entry, but an immediate ability to compete. The dry run was Team Vestas’ first competitive sail.
Azzam remain firmly among the favourites, not least because the one-design plays into the strengths of skipper Ian Walker.
“He is one of the world’s best one-design sailors and this boat being one-design fills right into an area I know he is very, very strong in,” said Neal McDonald, the team’s performance director.
McDonald’s recruitment to the team last year in an off-shore role is seen as a pivotal one in Azzam’s quest.
He is a veteran, having sailed in six VORs before retiring after the 2011/12 edition. Though his teams have never won, he is confident he could be part of a winning race this time.
“Obviously, I’m biased, but I do look at all teams very closely, I know almost everybody in the race, having sailed against just about everybody on every boat,” he said. “I know where we stand on ability. I think Ian has picked a very, very strong team. I feel comfortable we’ve got as good a chance as anybody, I really do. It’s a very strong team, with good attitude and a great training programme. The general feel in the camp is positive, a very get-up-and-go type. The whole thing feels, at the moment to me, very strong, very settled and I’ve got strong expectations.”
Leg Zero does not count for any points toward the actual race, but it is viewed as necessary preparation to ensure there are no major chinks in the boats and that crews are familiar with emergency procedures when the race does start.
There was some drama in the event, however, when one of the sailors for the sixth-place Team Dongfeng fell off the boat in the middle of the night.
Jin Hao Chen was swiftly rescued, however, escaping only with a hand injury.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
