*
The "J-Trained" tacticians are continuing to put their mark on the
Volvo Ocean Race. As even Ken Read (6x J/24 World Champion) has to say,
"we're racing tactically and strategically from sched-to-sched (e.g. 3
hour intervals)." In other words, when all boats have to report to
Volvo Race HQ their Lat/Lon for safety/tracking reasons, everyone knows
where they are, how fast they're going and at what angle. Talk about
stress. The navigators have to be the "coolest" guys on the planet to
have to deal with the incessant pressure of going "higher/lower" and at
what sail trim/selection on the "cross-over charts" to keep their
machines going at 99% or better. So far, some crew of the top three
boats on the leg to Auckland, New Zealand count amongst their
experiences getting "schooled" on J/22s, J/24s, J/80s in both America
and Europe. Go figure-- a 40,000nm J/24 one-design race-- in essence,
wondering where the next wind shift, wind streak, current anomaly shows
up before passing the next mark, one a 3 hour interval 24x7 each leg.
Hmmm-- a challenge to say the least. Nor for the faint of heart.
Steely nerves, forethought and planning are evidently part of the
equation that also includes "mother luck"! To see how these teams are
doing take a look at:
http://www.volvooceanrace.com
