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11:55 AM Fri 5 Dec 2008 GMT
 | | 'Team Russia hammering at start of Leg 2 at Cape Town, Africa to Cochin, Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009'
Paul Todd © |
Team Russia arrived in Cochin, India on Wednesday 3rd December, completing Leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race. ?Here they talk about the challenges they had to face.
Andreas Hanakamp (AUT) - Skipper
Going East in the Indian Ocean was a risk we were ready to take. ?Everyone bought into it and we had good reason to take it. I think we would do it again in the same situation because we have some analysis software where we can do a bit more with the weather data than just look at it; it showed us a feature where we hoped to gain 200 miles, if we traded in 100 miles. However we didn't gain back the 200 miles. The outcome was that we lost 500 miles.
Luckily we have a great team, everyone is really professional. ?We were aware of the risk and everyone was looking forward, but it was still hard to cope with the skeds. I needed to push a little personally to level out the situation and manage and recognise the emotions that needed addressing.
We picked up everything we can on this Leg, 300 miles from here sailing in the night at 12 knots in a nice breeze, suddenly all around us light went on and we were hooked up in a fishing net. ?It was unlit fishing net, but when the fishermen recognise we were going to drive right over their fishing net, they lit it up but there was no where to go so we had it wrapped around the boat and we had to cut it free.
Arriving in Cochin was incredible, stunning. It was so great coming into this river mouth, all the different sense, the visual impression with all the lights, palm trees and fishing nets and this mass of people - its incredible. I am really looking forward to a couple days away from the village to find out more about India.
Now we have a long job list but nothing major so the boat could be ready to race tomorrow. ?We just have some minor things like a clutch here, cleat there, change this rope and modify that - so it's pretty easy.
Nick Bubb (UK) - Watch Leader
I'm relieved to be here in Cochin. This Leg has been an emotional roller coaster. It was a disaster leaving Cape Town, but we battled back well. ?We had a good time in the Southern Ocean and everyone pulled together and pushed hard.
Coming up into the Indian Ocean we knew we were taking a bit of a gamble but we didn't think it would cost us this much. ?We've had a week to get over it and everyone is ok now, we just want to forget it.
It was frustrating but we didn't fall out. We were just disappointed - everyone tried there hardest. Sometime you have to take a few tactical risks.
We're all in a good mood, we had a debrief on the way in and we're confident about the boat. Kosatka is in good shape with not too much damage, so we're just keen to get on with the next leg now.
Wouter Verbraak (NDL) - Navigator
We've seen both the ugly face and the nice face of the Indian Ocean. Fortunately we now see the nice friendly face in Cochin, we needed to see that after 5 days of hardly any wind.
We kept motivated by playing card games, I did navigation lessons and we did a lot of light air practice for the next leg. So we tried to make the best of it we could.
The weather did completely the reverse. ?West looked horrible then all of a sudden it came out good. ?East was absolutely terrible - it's like the World was upside down. That is the excitement of this game and that's just what you do.
We just had a debrief on the way in here. The crew were asking; 'So what about these weather models Wouter?' Well they are not like we're used to be in the Atlantic. ?So maybe take it as it comes and play the fleet more.
Now I'm flying home to see my family and do homework in the office. ?I really need to study the local effects for the next leg because they are going to be huge.
Two days ago when the rest had finished we were feeling 'Oh no!' But the last two days have been really good, just enjoying the sailing, being productive, cleaning up the boat and look forward.
Mikey Joubert (RSA) - Bowman
Oh my word is all I can say - we've discovered there is a reason why the trade ships never came here at this time of year. ?It was painfully slow - we were going backwards for so much of the time it was not even funny. ?But sense of humour conquers all - you just have to laugh and enjoy the time when you can. ?The crew managed to keep spirits up and came up with some interesting games.
We sailed a good half of the race, getting through the scoring gate in 4th we were very happy. ?We pushed the boat quite hard and backed off where necessary, so the first half was awesome. ?In the second half the weather forecast became less and less reliable and one thing happens and then another things happens and then it's beyond your control.
Everything said go East in the Indian Ocean, so hats off to the after guard
they decided to show some courage and do it.
Now I'm going home for a couple of days to see the family. Luckily the boat is in great shape, so there is not a lot of work to do. ?So now we can relax a little bit and get ready for the next leg.
Rodion Luka (UKR) - Trimmer
We are very happy to be here, finally. ?We were quite unlucky for tactical reasons, but hope this won't happen again the future.
We are still a rock solid team. ?It's good we didn't have any big issues with the boat, the sails the people, nothing damaged. ?So we are basically ready to go racing for the next race and we will do better.
It was difficult to keep the spirits up at times - when you are staying in the same place for three days it's hard. ?You still need to manage yourself, be professional, and have respect for your navigator and skipper. ?It was a mental challenge. But we still finished the race, we proudly finished the race and we didn't retire. ?Well that's sport - always someone is last and this is not a disaster, it's not the end of the world. We will try and improve and be more competitive next time.
Oleg Zherebtsov - Team principal and bowman
'I'm happy, happy, happy! It's a very extreme feeling. I can't really describe it, we've been in such different conditions from the Southern Ocean with the cold and wind to the hot, +30?C and the Doldrums, no wind, and before that wind up to 40 knots and the Chinese gybe and then catching the fishing net...It's such a powerful experience and after three weeks on the water to see all these people, it's really amazing.
www.teamrussia.org
by Team Russia Media
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