11:44 PM Fri 5 Dec 2008 GMT
Australia's Morgan White is a newcomer to the Volvo Round the World Race. Diana Bogaards of Team Delta Lloyd, asked his impressions of the race so far, and round the world racing generally.
Finishing your very first Volvo Ocean Race leg ever on your 24th birthday, that is a boy's dream. And today it comes true for Morgan White from Australia. He joined Team Delta Lloyd in Cape Town as bowman. We asked him four questions about his eventful debut.
 | Martin Watts (l) and skipper Chuny watching Morgan White closely, as he changes the sheet on the masthead C-O, on leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008, it will, for the first time, take in Cochin, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China befor - Sander Pluijm-Team Delta Lloyd- VolvoOcean Race © |
1. How's life on the bow of the v70??
Very testing physically and mentally... I am trying to learn the loads quickly, so I don't get injured. Things can go wrong very quickly... So it's all about doing the job a bit slower to make sure its right. It's been a steep 12 days so far, but I am loving every minute of it. These are very fast boats with a lot of wet times!! Mind you, I still have the odd (what am I doing out here when it all feels like hell in between a few moments)
2. What problems and challengers do you come across?
Strength and fatigue.... So far, when it comes to the really physical times, I know now my future goals to get fitter and stronger for the legs to come. Small cuts turn quickly to major infections with the conditions, especially around my hands it becomes a major problem. even to take on and off my gear. I am learning the boat more and more each day and my position between the guys. It is different living and sailing with people I've only known for nearly two weeks. (40% I knew already luckily)
3. Was it difficult to step on board as a new comer? How does the process go?
I've been very, very well treated by everyone through the Team Delta Lloyd. It has seemed to have gelled together reasonably well since I first arrived. Mind you, setting off for a 4000+ leg without ever even sailed with most of the guys, let alone sailed any miles overnight offshore with this boat. It's been work in progress for the last 10 days. Everyone onboard have been awesome. Considering I have made a few mistakes.... No one takes grudges. Before the start Chuney pointed out the fact that no one is perfect and we need to learn from these things whilst sailing (not having a chance to sail prior to the start with everybody). I am learning my place amongst the team now.
4. And how was your first experience on the southern ocean?
Interesting, fast and furious to say the least. First 24hrs wasn't the fastest, but that soon changed once we got away from land. It's a very wet and fast boat. It was so hard even to read the instrument displays at the mast once we got going at 20+ kts...... It was like some one had a salt water fire hose going at you from 3 metres every ten seconds. Weather wasn't too cold not as far south you would normally go
by Diana Bogaards, Team Delta Lloyd
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