Photos: L Ian Walker R Guy Nowell/Green Team

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Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:15:00 UTC

Green Team are continuing their sail training programme off the waters of Southampton as preparations for the 2008-09 race turn serious.

The team are familiarising themselves with the Reichel Pugh designed Volvo Open 70’s systems and generally ironing out a few glitches.

Repairs to a broken bowsprit on day one are complete and the boat is back on the water.

According to skipper Ian Walker, it caused minor disruption to their programme. “Obviously it was disappointing that we broke the bowsprit but on the other hand, it's better that we did that now and the guys have done a great job to fix it and get us back out on the water, so it is no real setback,” Walker said.

“Our first impressions were very good. The first few days out on the water were always going to be a bit hectic because we’ve got so many people on board – designers, mast builders, everyone has their own things to check so it was a bit chaotic.

“It will take a little time for it to settle down and for us to get a truer indication of the performance of the boat. But from helming the boat, the feel of the boat, the look of the boat and how it sits in the water, we’re delighted. We started out in about five knots and ended in 15 knots so it was perfect for a sea trial.

“The keel was working faultlessly, the dagger boards doing their job, the sails all look good, the mast is set up well so it’s all very positive.

“I am an inherently conservative guy by nature, so I am just reserving judgement and we will work it up slowly over the next few weeks.”

As for hitting targets, Walker said he was delighted to have the boat arrive on time from builders McConnaghy in China and have it on the water on the date they had set.

“That was a big undertaking, so we are pleased to make it happen,” he said.

The boat will go to Ireland at the beginning of July and will complete the 2,000-mile qualifier for the Volvo Ocean Race in early August before relocating to Spain in September.

Meanwhile, the Volvo Ocean Race will be well represented in the Round Ireland Race this weekend.

Five crew members from the international crew of Ericsson Racing Team will be in action. Skipper Torben Grael, navigator Jules Salter, watch captains Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne and trimmer Tony Mutter will all be aboard the Mills-designed Alegre 68 with owner Andres Soriano.

"In effect the Round Ireland is like the first dry run for the Volvo Race,” said Bannatyne. “Brad and I are going to be watch captains so all the decisions, the analysis of the weather and strategy is going to be done by Jules and Torben and this gives them the opportunity to do it in a race situation.”

Salter added: “The Round Ireland course gives us a range of weather conditions so we have got a bit of everything and also it is quite tidal and you need to be well prepared on that front as well.

“At the moment, the forecasts for the weekend are showing a fair amount of instability so we need to keep checking them. It will depend on how fast we get around the track and whether or not the wind stays with us."

In addition to the lottery of meteorological conditions and tidal shifts, the crew of Alegre will also have to account for the gill fishing nets that add another dimension to this exciting and varied course.

Irishman Ger O’Rourke has also entered the former ABN AMRO ONE, winner of the 2005-06 Volvo, under the name of McConnells Chieftain.

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