Among the VIPs attending the Boston stopover was a posse from France, who had been invited over to sample the modern day Volvo Ocean Race. These included Vendee Globe double winner Michel Desjoyeaux,
On Sunday Desjoyeaux joined Ken Read and his crew on board Puma, along with 1996-7 Volvo Ocean Race winner Paul Cayard. During the day's outing, when the VO70s were speed trialling for the benefit of spectators directly off Boston's Fan Pier, the Puma crew put Desjoyeaux on the wheel and suddenly all disappeared below, leaving the Vendee Globe winner in the familiar position of being alone at the helm.
Desjoyeaux told thedailysail later that his English isn't that good (not true) and he hadn't really understood what was going on until he found himself on his own on deck, solely in charge of the livid red VO70.
As to whether Desjoyeaux will take part in the next Volvo Ocean Race remains to be seen. Having twice won the Vendee Globe, he would really like to see a return of the ORMA 60 class.
clipped from www.thedailysail.com
