Volvo Ocean Race teams to test waters with Leg Zero litmus

Addition of French veteran sailor Desjoyeaux boosts Spanish side's hopes

Team SCA training in Alicante, Spain, for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race on September 9, 2014. Rick Tomlinson / Team SCA

Final preparations for the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) begin on Friday in Alicante, Spain, as all seven boats begin a two-day Leg Zero, a final dry run before the first leg to Cape Town begins in a month’s time. In-port races begin on October 4.

The boats will sail from Alicante to Majorca and back, and will have to complete the trip one way or another; failure to do so means boats will either return to complete it, or at least log the unfinished miles.

The leg does not count toward the race, but is vital, since it ensures that teams run through a list of emergency procedures, such as how to address losing a man overboard or experiencing major equipment.

Race director Jack Lloyd explained why the event requires all seven crews to complete the crisis rehearsals ahead of the start of the Volvo Ocean Race proper.

“Leg Zero is a really important exercise for both the race and the sailors,” Lloyd said. “We are able to dry run all our communications in race control and for the media.

“Safety, of course, is paramount – this race is risky enough as it is – and we want to ensure all the crews know exactly what they need to do if things go badly wrong, such as a sailor falling overboard.

“All the teams have been briefed that they need to go through these safety exercises before the trip.”

The leg also allows teams another useful opportunity, with nothing at stake, to gauge their progress and performance against the competition.

“This will be a really important test for us and a chance to improve and work on a few things with just weeks to go before the start. Leg Zero is a real race, and we will be treating it as such,” said Team Alvimedica’s Alberto Bolzan.

“It will be a very important exercise in terms of the sail changes, the tactics, and it will be important to learn from what the other teams do.”

All seven teams have announced full crews, with the most significant recruitment coming on Wednesday, when Team Espana roped in France's best-known sailor, Michel Desjoyeaux, for what will be his fourth VOR.

Desjoyeaux is a decorated veteran, having first sailed in the race nearly 30 years ago. He last took part more than 20 years ago and adds a new dimension to an already strong contender.

“I’ve had plenty of offers in the past to go and sail in the VOR in one or more stages, but it’s never been possible because of the timing,” he said. “To be at the start of the project was the deciding factor. This one fell perfectly for me. It’s a great opportunity.”

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