Sea, Sail & Surf news

Du grand large à la plage : Toute l’actualité des sports de glisse depuis 2000

VOLVO OCEAN RACE

John Kostecki : "It’s great to be back in the United States"

vendredi 12 avril 2002Information Volvo Ocean Race


Q : What is your crew line up for the next leg ?

A : We have 13 sailing crew and 12 on the boat. Ian Moore did the first leg with us and we are going to go back to crew we had on our successful first leg. This will beef up our navigation and tactical strategy side on our boat. This leg is going to be short and it is going to be very difficult sailing in the Chesapeake. We want to be strong tactically and in the navigation areas as well.

Q : Have you been up and had a look at the Chesapeake ?

A : We were up in the Chesapeake this week. Chris Bedford our meteorologist, our two navigators and myself. We flew over the Chesapeake and we also got an opportunity to speak with some of the locals up there so it was a quite valuable experience.

Q : How do you think this leg will shape up ?

A : Every leg has been tight, and anyone could win it (leg 6). Oddly enough we could see some separation because of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream normally plays a big part in this leg, when to exit it and when not to, and in the last race, that proved to be the deciding factor between first and second. I hope it is a close race and that we will be up in the top three.

Q : As the leaders, are you expecting to have a tough race ?

A : Nobody really gives us any chances or clean air. It’s tough but that is always the case in sailboat racing, when you are leading the regatta, nobody really gives you a break. We have tough guys on board mentally and we are very capable of overcoming that.

Q : How confident do you feel about sailing in the Chesapeake Bay ?

A : I did the this leg last time, so I have raced in and out of the Chesapeake, then last year we sailed our two training boats from Charleston all the way up the Chesapeake and into Baltimore and also back out. We have spent a fair amount of time up there and we feel quite comfortable.

Q : Is it nice being back in the USA ?

A : It’s great to be back in the United States and I am enjoying the American comforts. All the past stopovers have been good as well and it has been fun.



A la une