Puma Racing Team ready for longest ever Volvo Ocean Race leg

9:41 AM Thu 12 Feb 2009 GMT

'PUMA Ocean Racing, skippered by Ken Read (USA) which finished 3rd in the in-port race in Qingdao' Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race &copy Click Here to view large photo

The Puma Racing team will begin the longest leg ever sailed in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race this Saturday, when they embark on the 12,300 mile journey from Qingdao, China, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Expected to take forty days to complete, this epic journey will take the fleet from one extreme to another as the teams face every single different variety of sailing conditions imaginable. Eating up entire swaths of ocean, crossing the equator and rounding the notorious seafaring landmark, Cape Horn, the team will be battling their way to Rio in the knowledge that a podium finish in Brazil is vital to their overall position in the race.

One of only four boats to finish leg four to China, the Puma shore team has worked day and night in freezing temperatures to ensure Puma's il mostro was ready for the Qingdao In Port race last weekend, and for the start of leg five, this Saturday, Valentine's Day. In a leg which covers more miles than the previous three summed together, during which several breakages have occurred, outstanding preparation is vital. With forty days worth of sails, spares and food packed, the PUMA team is set for the battle ahead.

Skipper Ken Read commented: 'We are expecting the unexpected during this leg. It's going to be an adventure, and the ocean is going to throw anything and everything at us. Right out of the starting blocks here in China we are expecting to be absolutely fire-hosed with freezing cold water, with a wind chill well below zero degrees. Once we're sick of the wet and wild conditions, we'll be back stripping off our layers as we begin dripping in sweat again when we cross the equator for the third time. Our passage down through the Pacific is not a common yacht racing route so once more we'll have some tricky navigational decisions to make.'

'And that's just the half of it. Next we'll be pulling our thermals and boots on again as we delve back into the nasty Southern Ocean, dodging icebergs on the way east towards Cape Horn. After Cape Horn, we head back up through the Southern Atlantic into the tropics, and then to Brazil. It will be an adventure for sure, with many miles and many points at stake. We're going to take a beating, and this is what ocean racing is all about. This leg is longer than any leg ever sailed in the Volvo Ocean Race ever before, and equates to about half of a solo circumnavigation of the world. Don't be surprised to see a lot of place-changing amongst the fleet, it will be a great one to watch from a spectators point of view. And expect a big party in Rio!'

Leg five will start from Fushan Bay, Qingdao, China at 1300 local/0500 GMT/0000 EST on Saturday 14th February.

Puma Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Five, Qingdao - Rio de Janeiro:

Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) Watch Captain
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Erle Williams (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Michael M?ller (GER) Trimmer/Pit
Jerry Kirby (USA) Bowman
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman

www.pumaoceanracing.com

by Puma Ocean Racing media

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Puma Racing Team ready for longest ever Volvo Ocean Race leg

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