With 207 days to go until the start of the 2017-18 edition, MAPFRE are already building a squad capable of lifting the Volvo Ocean Race trophy for the first time in Spain’s history.
Seasoned competitors Pablo Arrarte, Ñeti Cuervas-Mons and Neal McDonald have 13 laps of the planet between them – so when it comes to the Volvo Ocean Race, there’s not much they don’t know.
We caught up with the trio to get their opinions on some of the big changes ahead of the next edition, which – featuring three times more Southern Ocean racing – is set to be one of the most extreme in recent history.
On the new route…
Ñeti: It’s much harder than previous editions, because more miles will be sailed in the more extreme conditions of the Southern Ocean. Also, there’s still the challenge of crossing the Doldrums in the Pacific twice, and that is really complicated. It is going to be a tricky round-the-world race, with all kinds of conditions, and our experience of these boats means that we know the differences between teams will be minimal. It is going to be extremely exciting and really tough.
On the new scoring system…
Ñeti: The tough Southern Ocean legs between Cape Town and Melbourne, and from Auckland to Brazil, have double points. This means that both legs are going to be very competitive, and we need to know how to find the right balance between taking risks and not breaking anything. A breakage would mean paying an extremely high price on the general leaderboard. We will have to find that balance so we can put our foot down enough to be ahead at the end of each leg.
Pablo: With two legs counting for double points and the tough conditions in the Southern Ocean (the same legs that are now worth twice the points), we will have to really look after the boat, so we don’t suffer any damage, and can at least achieve a podium position. If we can hold our own in this respect, we believe that by sailing the rest of the race well, we will be up front and in the fight.
© Maria Muiña/ MAPFRE
On the rule encouraging the presence of women on the teams…
Neal: I think it will make a big difference in an area which we know very little about. We have already sailed with some girls, and we are starting to get an idea of how we can make the most of this new rule, and it is important to use it well. This is an offshore race, on a boat, the people on board are different, but the procedure is the same. However, it is new for all of us, and we have to work towards knowing the best way to use this particular rule.
Ñeti: I think that it is a good thing that rules are created to enable new people to be on the crews. For example the rule which made it compulsory for the teams to have one team member who was under 30, gave me my first chance to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race. The only difficulty I can see is that it radically reduces the number of crew members on board, whilst increasing the number of people with “less experience”, and this means excluding many sailors who are over 30. Of course there is new energy on board, but not at the expense of leaving out others. I think this could be done by simply allowing more than eight crew members on board.
On the change they’re happiest about…
Neal: More sailing in the Southern Ocean. I think it is wonderful to return to this format, and to sail in hostile environments like the Great South. This is the biggest difference, and in my opinion, it is what makes this edition particularly attractive.
Pablo: We are finally going to have more time in the Southern Ocean, where we all know there is a great deal of wind, extreme cold, huge waves and big storms. Looking after the boat is going to be fundamental, as is knowing how to push hard, and sail with a strong crew capable of enduring twenty-odd days down there.
Ñeti: Not having to go into the Strait of Malacca, and cross all of its areas of dead calm.
© Maria Muiña/ MAPFRE
The Volvo Ocean Race is…
Neal: A mixture of the very highest level of racing, and an adventure. Sailing around the world is always an adventure, but for me this race is incredibly professional. The people who participate do so because they really want to, and it is fantastic to be able to compete with people at this level.
Ñeti: For me it has always been the offshore race par excellence. Since I was little it was always my dream to sail in it. I never thought I would be doing my fourth round-the-world race. I am delighted that I can, and it has now become a way of life for me.
The toughest moments in a round the world race are…
Ñeti: On the one hand, sailing in the Southern Ocean due to the extreme conditions of cold, wind and big waves. Reaching Cape Horn is always challenging, as is the Southern Indian Ocean. On the other hand, in the areas around the islands in the tropics there can be hurricanes, typhoons or conditions with very little wind. Each part of the planet has its own complications, and if you add the fact that all of the boats are sailing extremely close together, it makes for quite an intense, stressful situation as well as the challenges to be had from one day to the next.
The key to winning is…
Ñeti: Preparation. The work we put in before the race, and hard training. Luckily this time round we have started with much more time on our hands, and will have a really good team.
Neal: We have a One Design boat; the sails are all the same, the boats are equal, and the challenge is to sail around the world up front. That comes down to team work, the shore crew, and preparation. Our race started two months ago, and is not in six months’ time. It has already started for us, with the people we are selecting, and where and how we are training. All of these things are going to be much more important in this edition, than they were the last time.