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3:06 AM Sat 15 Nov 2008 GMT
For most of the fleet's sailors a proper bed is something they spend much of their time at sea dreaming of, but Oleg Zherebtsov cannot wait to get in his wet bunk.
'I am just so excited about the whole thing,' he said. 'I cannot wait to get out on the sea, in the boat living that life.'
For that reason, the Team Russia owner's last night on shore is likely to be no better than the 18 or so at sea that will follow it on the way to Cochin.
'I'm too excited to sleep,' he said. 'The race is about to start and my blood is boiling in my veins. I cannot stop thinking about the race. I think maybe I will get two or three hours sleep, but probably not much more.'
For Oleg, a dream is about to come true. A millionaire several times over, the miner's son from the Caucasus made his fortune by creating the largest hypermarket chain in Russia.
Life in business had gotten too predictable and now his latest ambition, which was only conceived a couple of years ago, is about to be realised. In that time he has learnt to sail from scratch and funded the creation of a Volvo Open 70 and crew.
His first competitive taste of his creation would have come a month ago when the fleet left Alicante but after his mother passed away ahead of the start he opted to stand down.
The 40-year-old was subsequently replaced in the team by South Africa's Camron Wills, but Guillermo Altadill's departure after the first leg has paved the way for his return to the bow.
'It was very difficult to watch the boats go away without me,' he said. 'I really want to get on that boat now.
'At the same time, I'd love to stay in Cape Town longer. It's a lovely town, I really want to come back again, as a holiday maker and have more time to enjoy.
The Volvo Ocean Race is a mixture of experiences. It combines sailing, oceans, people, entertaining. The atmosphere and spirit of people around here. Just look at this place, it is stunning.'
A couple of moments pass and Oleg changes his mind again.
'Actually I just want the whole thing to hurry up. Let's start this race now, tonight!'
www.volvooceanrace.org
by Volvo Ocean Race media
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Double Is Pt, QLD
