Volvo Ocean Race - Let the battle commence
by Turn The Tide On Plastic on 23 Oct 2017
Alicante stopover. Start. - 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race Pedro Martinez / Volvo Ocean Race
Turn the Tide on Plastic, one of seven teams in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, set sail from Alicante today for the start of the epic 45,000 nautical mile round-the-world race.
After months of preparation, British skipper Dee Caffari lead her young crew out of Alicante, Spain on the beginning of what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest adventures of their lives.
The start, consisting of a short in-shore circuit before heading offshore to Lisbon, was certainly no disappointment. Filled with action, drama and some of the most intense battles this race has seen at its start, this edition is showing all the signs that it could be the most exciting yet.
Of course this is easily said when you’re flying out of Alicante bay in 16 knots of wind battling for third place against some of the best sailors in the world.
Aware her team has a lot to prove on this first leg, Dee Caffari was impressed with Turn the Tide on Plastic’s start. “We are pretty pleased with the start we had, but it’s a long race and we're mindful that we need to remain focused, but each small win shows that we are constantly learning and improving.”
Smiling from the shore, one of Caffari’s youngest crew members, Henry Bomby said, 'Throughout all the practice and In-Port races we spoke about making the in-shore racing simple and seamless to remove unnecessary pressure. Watching the team race like that I can tell you it’s the best we’ve sailed in-shore so far.'
“We're currently in third position with good boats around us, hopefully we'll be straight line sailing to Gibraltar at this pace. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for more.'
Will the grit and determination this team clearly display be enough to keep them at the top end of the fleet?
The battle on the water has only just started. Track the fleet here.
Caution this race can be addictive.
Yesterday we asked how the sailors were feeling and here's what they had to say.
Dee Caffari
It is the start of Leg One and, after what has been a very short lead up for my team, we are lining up against some of the most talented and experienced offshore sailors on the planet. Would we have liked more time to prepare? Of course we would but however much prep time you have, you always feel you could benefit from more. Given the time constraints we had to work with, I am confident that we crammed in as much as we possibly could and now we need to get out there with the attitude and belief that we can put in a winning performance. I know we can and am incredibly proud of the whole team working on this project. We’ve been waiting for this day with nervous anticipation and actually now it’s here we’re excited. We feel as the team coming late to the setup that we’ve got a lot to prove but we've got a lot of energy and enthusiasm to do exactly that.
Nicolas Lunven
It will be exciting to start the race tomorrow even if it’s a small leg and it’s not so far away. We’re going to Lisbon so it's not like it would be if it were a three-week leg but it’s going to be interesting. I hope that we will be able to fight well with the other boats and perhaps be ahead of some of them at the finish line in Lisbon. It’s a good start, even if the team is quite well prepared and the atmosphere is calm.
Liz Wardley
I just had ice cream so I’m pretty happy and I’m starting to annoy everyone in the office so it’s time to get offshore again. One, for me to get stuck into something and two, for them to get rid of me. I guess that’s a positive because it means I’m not working on the boat so we must be pretty race ready.
Martin Strömberg
I think it will be very important to be matching the top teams when we reach Gibraltar where we are expecting more wind. The first team around Porto Santo will be in a good spot to win the leg. I think few people expect us to be among the top teams in this leg but from my experience it's all about how a team is able to improve for throughout the race. We have focused on creating a good feeling in the team and I know that we are ready for the challenge.
Bianca Cook
I’m super excited and proud to be representing my family name and my country. There’s so much adrenaline rushing through me right now I just can’t believe that tomorrow is the start of the Volvo Ocean Race and this is really happening and I’m so ready to go offshore, I’m so ready for this adventure to start and I hope that I make everyone proud.
Bleddyn Mon
I’m excited to start the race. We’ve had a lot of practice racing and it’s good to get some real points on the board. It’s a bit of a short leg to start with so it’s good to make sure everything is working correctly on the boat so we can rectify any issues when we get to Lisbon before the first big leg. Excited and looking forward to getting out there.
Lucas Chapman
I’m ready. I’ve been trying to take it all in and just enjoy this sweet feeling. In my case, the preparation has been over the last 4-5 years, I’m not able to do anything more right now to make me more prepared. It’s time to put it all into action. Let the adventure begin. There is this drive in me to do the Volvo, that has pretty much occupied my every conscious moment for five years, I’ve finally made it. I’ve read all the books on the race like Steinlager Book of Sir Peter Blake, it’s been an obsession. My old man was in the Whitbread and so I’m proud to be representing the family name in the Volvo Ocean Race.
Francesca Clapcich
I’m excited about the start and finally it’s getting real. I’m happy that my family is here and they can spend the last hour with me. Now we are going to eat a nice paella before all the freeze-dry. I’m happy to be part of this team and I hope to make all my family and friends proud of me and the team. I think everyone’s ready to give their best and let the game start.
Bernardo Freitas
I’m excited. So far right now it actually kind of makes sense. It’s like we’re here but now the actual race is starting and I can’t believe it. In Portuguese we have an expression that is something like 'the penny has dropped'. It’s strange because you’re so focused and so much time is spent on the boat, lots of people around and all of a sudden we are one day out from the start of the race and it all makes sense now. I’m looking forward to sailing into Lisbon.
Annalise Murphy
I’m looking forward to going sailing, because that’s what I’m good at. When you’re waiting around it feels like you’re in limbo a bit, you’re here talking about the race a lot of the time, so I’m just looking forward to going and doing it. I’m also going to be doubling my offshore miles so that’s a good thing! And I hope I haven’t mucked up the food too much and everyone likes their dinners.
Henry Bomby
We’ve done a lot of preparation and it’s nice to now be here in the race village with family coming out for the start. We’ve talked about doing it for a long time and now we’re getting to the stage we’re two days out from the start and the boats been loaded with all the final clothing and food.
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