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Blog

17:56, February 24, 2008

 

After two week's of sailing and a Name Giving Cermony of Ericsson 3 in Barcelona we are back on Lanzarote. 

 

We have covered ~2600 nautical miles and been through a great reality check with teams, gear and boats. On the way back from Barcelona we sailed with the Nordic Crew on Ericsson 2 and the International Crew on Ericsson 3 plus one media guy on each boat. 

 

It's been very stimulating weeks, to further develop the opportunities of this project on the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

 

We have had variable conditions, from motoring with light wind's to strong +40 knot's easterly winds through Gibraltar on a westerly course. We have also experienced a couple of front passages on top of that.  It takes a cold front passage to achieve a cold front passage experience...

I mean that it's so valuable to crack of from tuff limiting sea state at 60 true-wind-angel (twa) down to 70 twa and increase speed to 16-18 knots, sailing best course to next waypoint of desire. The breeze picking up to +35 knots and the thunder clouds over and to starboard west of us quickly moving north east. We were set up for saving our sources having only three on deck, short rotating watches and constantly working the 2 reefed main and J4 as the wind pulsed in the squalls and the spray, or the more or less solid water with bits of air in it constantly hammering over the deck...  

 

As the day approached the final day and the expected wind veered (wind shift clockwise in direction) the routing took us over on starboard tack towards Lanzarote and back to our training base for the coming months.   /Anders

 

Blog

23:47, February 2, 2008

 

In the coming two week’s we will cover some 2600 nautical miles, focused on two boat testing during the days, and deliver us further to the next waypoint during nights.

After a few days stop over with a well prepared Christening of Ericsson 3 the 12^th, we will head back out on the Northern Atlantic again. 

Great sailing to come and no more morning gym…

 

Best, /Anders

Blog

23:18, January 25, 2008

 

Stockholm is the host town for the second last leg 9 from Gothenburg in the Volvo Ocean Race – what great news!

This leg will quite possible have a direct impact on the final overall score, fast weather changes with land effects on the wind, and challenging navigation in the close waters of the Archipelago. The stop over is around the midsummer period and quite possible the inport race will be held on Kanholmsfjärden, to be confirmed but guaranteed excitement in the hart of the Archipelago! 

 

The afternoon press conference in the city hall was very positive and the commitments from Finansborgarådet Kristina Axén Olin and the chairmen in Stockholm's Port Ulla Hamilton are great for Stockholm, visitors and all committed to our sport.

 

Early Thursday morning at 07:15 it was time for a short presentation during the TV4’s national morning news show ‘Nyhetsmorgon’. We, Glenn Bourke and I together with the program leaders Stefano and Jenny gathered in the hot studio lights and talked around the Volvo Ocean Race. I look forward to the cooperation with TV4 to develop the interest for our sport.

 

It was great to say hello to the family, and I didn’t say a word before my unexpected arrival with red roses, happy surprise!

 

After 36 hours in Sweden I’m once more on the plane down to Lanzarote to our valuable two boat testing and now much longed-for fysio on Friday evening. Unfortunately my flight from Stockholm was late so I had to spend a hotel night

here on Gatwick airport.

/A

 

A few of the sites with the news (sorry no links allowed):

TV 4, tv4nyheterna, Stockholm 18:45 
TV 4, tv4nyheterna, Nyhetsmorgon, 24/1

Sveriges Radio, webbradio, radiosporten 23/1.

Blog

23:12, January 25, 2008

 

I’m off on a flight to Stockholm and a one day presentation and press conference for the Stockholm stopover, the days before the 25^th of June 2009. As the hours on the flight go by my thoughts goes over and over about the final part of the ocean race. 

Imagine the approach to home waters of Gothenburg, a few days pit stop and then a tight race up and along the coast and islands of the south and easterly bound of Sweden.  

Imagine the racing as we approach the archipelago of Stockholm and the final of the 9^th leg and the round up for the last and final leg 10 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 after some 36000 nautical miles. Tacking and jibing  in close to the coast just like in the Round Gotland Race and using the great differences in both water and land temperature as a part of the short term, geographical dependent tactics in the Baltic sea.  

 

Yes, I imagine a lot, and I guess it’s part of the ocean offshore job; “what if we brake the…” “what if we approach survival conditions…”, “what if we have a conflict…” My little personal shortcut for the “What if..” approach is  “W.i.” and the W.i. is under constant development in my mindset right now and will constantly be during the race. It’s part of the risk thinking which is a combination of consequence and possibilities.  

 

It’s amazing to be in the middle of life and have the opportunity to get to know new people and build new experiences.

In the mean while it’s a big sacrifice for the family whom I dedicate this new blog to.   /A

Blog

11:46, January 21, 2008

 

Preparations, planning, expectations and at least 40 to 500 nautical miles per day, if not more!

 

To sail the Volvo Ocean Race is mostly about motivation. Motivation to win, to succeed, to build a winning boat and race it safely to harbour of the final leg in St. Petersburg, and at last but not least to develop as a strong team with the right human values and, yes, motivation!

 

Welcome to my new blogg!

/A