Team Telefonica: IKER: "THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS LEG I'VE DONE IN A LONG TIME"

Blog From Tean Telefonica's Skipper
Iker Martinez

3, February 2012  at 12:00

"We have spent the last day in one of the most dangerous sailing places of the leg. We were a bit nervous and the fear of having an accident was strong.We also managed to race well, were lucky with the wind and we got what we wanted as we approached the Vietnam coast. As you can imagine, we are ready to arrive in China now.

Photo: Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica/Volvo Ocean Race

"We have spent the last day in one of the most dangerous sailing places of the leg. We were a bit nervous and the fear of having an accident was strong.We also managed to race well, were lucky with the wind and we got what we wanted as we approached the Vietnam coast. As you can imagine, we are ready to arrive in China now.

Photo: Maria Muina/Team Telefonica

"The plan is to sail to windward to open the sails a little when coming into Sanya. However, it will vary with the wind and we might have to change our plan at the last minute.

"We are now sailing upwind. Well we’ve been upwind since we left Singapore. Upwind all the time, without stopping. At least now we are going in a strait line.

"It’s very tight (the fleet). If anyone makes a small mistake, the ranking can change accordingly.

Photo: Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica/Volvo Ocean Race

"We enjoyed this leg, yes, because racing these amazing boats is great. But this is also the most dangerous leg I’ve done in a long time. We sailed between ships, we sailed close to the coast, in shallow waters and with lots of fishing boats.

"We enjoyed it until now because everything went well, because the fight was great, but it has been exhausting for everyone. Especially these past three or four past days which didn’t help us to enjoy it very much.

"Of course, I’m proud of our crew. They did excellent work. We’re happy because the result is great. Everyone has done their jobs well while helping each other."

Iker Martínez
SKipper, Team Telefonica