Some interesting discussions taking place on deck this morning. The boys are in a heated discussion regarding the proposed and actual changes that will be taking place in the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. For the last few months, while we have been racing through the Southern Ocean, around Cape Horn, and up the Atlantic, various study groups and think tanks have been putting together a set of broad changes to the way the event is structured. These changes are mainly aimed at keeping the costs at a reasonable level and thereby attracting more sponsors and more boats, thus hopefully ensuring the long term health and stability of the race.
Fortunately, these decisions haven't happened behind closed doors- quite the opposite in fact. Various "Town Hall Meetings" and open forum discussion sessions have taken place at the last few stopovers where the ideas, concerns and thoughts of all interested parties have hopefully been voiced and taken into consideration.
As always, whenever things change, there is a level of reluctance- especially from people on the inside who feel a level of comfort and security within the structure "as they know it". On the other hand more boats will mean more jobs, so inexperienced guys will get the chance to "step up". There will be more navigator slots and more skipper positions available to guys who might otherwise not get beyond watch captain status in the current climate. The argument seems to be that these changes will "dilute" or "dumb down" the event. I disagree. Think about the essential nature of the event. It comes down to this- you're in a fight for points with another boat, it’s 3AM and pitch black, the wind is blowing 30 knots and you have to gybe- at moments like this (and many others in a race of over 30000 miles) the cream will always rise to the top.
This afternoon we broke free of the southern edge of the Ice Exclusion Zone, hoisted the Code 4 spinnaker and turned the bow towards an approaching low pressure system that we can hopefully ride most if not all the way to Ireland. The guys are pumped for what will probably be our last big downwind blow in the race- in the open ocean that is. The rest of the race takes place in "Seas", and while it can still blow, there is something magical that happens out here, miles from anywhere there is a definite edge to life that you don't get racing in coastal waters.
- Rick
