Barcelona World Race 2007-2008

Barcelona World Race 2007

www.barcelonaworldrace.com - Übersicht

11 October 2007
One month to go!
In Brief
. The Barcelona World Race fleet will cross the start line in Barcelona in exactly 31 days
. All the contenders are expected to be in Barcelona by 29th October and on public display at the heart of the Barcelona Boat Show
. World-class line-up with a total of 36 circumnavigations and more than two million nautical miles between them

In Detail
With two boats already in Barcelona and six teams currently heading towards the Catalan capital, the Barcelona World Race is definitely now in 'active' mode. One month away from the start, a closer look at the entrants reveals an impressive list of achievements, which in themselves give a precise idea of the level of competition involved in this event.

The prominent figures of the IMOCA Open 60 Class and their machines are closing in on the Barcelona harbour, where they will gather before taking the start, on 11th November, in the first ever double-handed non-stop race around the world. Sixteen men and two women are ready to push their own limits as well as their boats, on the most demanding course a professional skipper can hope for.

The Barcelona World Race has attracted some of the world's best skippers, coming from both the French single-handed and the Anglo-Saxon fully crewed scenes. A quick overview of their cumulated 'titles of glory' proves very impressive. Nine world-class teams, a strong line-up including 6 latest-generation IMOCA Open 60's, seven different nationalities and a stunning total of 36 circumnavigations between them! The experience of the entrants covers all the disciplines of high-level sailing, ranging from Olympic campaigns to round-the-planet records, while embracing the world's foremost events. Scanning the skippers' CVs reveals a total of 22 Whitbread / Volvo Ocean Race participations, nine Vendée Globe entries, nine America's Cup participations, and more than two million nautical miles covered altogether!

IMOCA 60 fleet - Prologue
© Mark Lloyd / DPPI / OC Events / FNOB http://www.dppi.net

PRB Open 60
© onEdition / OC Events / FNOB http://www.onEdition.com

Needless to say the battle around the planet will be a fierce one, and the teams are gearing up, starting to hear the countdown clock ticking. It is certainly the case onboard Temenos, where Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret have left France this week to deliver their boat to Barcelona "as if (they) were actually setting off around the world - already in race mode, in order to start picking up the pace." The state of mind seems to be the same for every crew, having mentally switched to competition configuration.

As Jonathan McKee, co-skipper of Estrella Damm points out: "We have been working on our navigation, improving the tools we have onboard, talking to other experienced guys, and reviewing relevant literature. It is a crucial part of the race and one we hope to be strong in." McKee, an Olympic gold medallist who has also taken part in two America's Cup, does not forget to pay tribute to the Estrella Damm shore team, in Barcelona since the end of August, and whose members also are under tremendous pressure as the actual start date gets closer. "The guys are putting in some long hours, and recently we brought in some reinforcements, but the spirit is good, and each day the boat gets better."

In Barcelona, where Mutua Madrileña has just been re-launched this week after an extensive refit, everything is ready to welcome the fleet along the "Moll de la Fusta", at the heart of the International Boat Show which will open on 3rd November.

Skipper Quotes
Javier 'Bubi' Sansó, Mutua Madrileña
"The great news is that the team is working to schedule. We have everything 75% ready with 95% of the most important things complete. What's left is indexly superficial, or involves optimising the technology we have. I suppose you could say that the car is out of the garage and now it's time to warm the tyres up on the tarmac to maximise her performance."

Jean-Pierre Dick, Paprec-Virbac (prior to leaving France)
"Damian and myself are really looking forward to sailing, and putting all the training we've done in to practice. In addition to all the technical work and our own physical 'indextenance', we've been concentrating on weather analysis because the Barcelona World Race will be a strategically tricky event."

Jérémie Beyou, Delta Dore
"One month away from the start, I feel rather relaxed. The whole team is working hard, but we're on schedule regarding our preparation process. And considering the importance of the upcoming undertaking, it's very reassuring. I'm not experiencing any stress, I feel just fine."

Key Facts
The line-up
. 9 world-class teams
. 7 nationalities
. 6 brand new IMOCA Open 60s
. 36 circumnavigations between them
. 2 million nautical miles between them
. 22 Whitbread / Volvo Ocean Race participations
. 9 Vendée Globe participations
. 9 America's Cup participations
The course
. Start - Finish: Barcelona
. Around the world via the Straits of Gibraltar, the 3 great Capes and the Cook Straits
. Approx. total distance: 25,000 nautical miles

International Press:
OC Events Lou Newlands info@ocevents.org mailto:info@ocevents.org