Intensity as the final 24 hours approach for VOR start!

The time has come to don the iPoddie, turn up the volume and drown out the world around me because everyone and their next of "media-kin" are in the house and this once quiet sanctuary has become the complete opposite! Now, now, please do not take this as a complaint, love it and my preferred scene.

The energy of this place is of an intensity I've never quite felt. It's completely different than Mini-Transat where the build up was much gentler. The weather on other hand has teased us an finally committed to being dreadful but the eXtreme 40s were out in full force!

The X40 sailors will leave a lasting impression on me. I'm hooked. How? Why? Well, the sailing is wicked! Their personalities are exceptional and talk about managing sticky and stressful situations and thinking nothing of going out to sail in trying conditions involving gale force breeze and driving rain to ensure the "show goes on" for the dedicated people who have ventured down on this dreary day.

Needless to say, a crush is developing! Oh ladies, they are a charming lot!

I've just re-read my post and wonder if the shots of vodka dished out at Team Russia's press conference has not gotten to my head a bit! Team Russia finally presented it's crew and shared the "Spirit of Russia" with cultural treats for those in attendance.

This team will be a fun one to follow. Their mission is to promote the wellness of our oceans' marine mammals and share with the world how Russia has grown to be a country who collaborates with all nations and the team represents such. Crew members cover nine different nationalities, all coming together for this around the world race.

A race which none of the navigators dare share their predictions for the start.

However, the onboard media crew will be the first to capture their reactions whether they made the right call or not!

At last I've finally warmed up to the Ericsson folks, who held a press conference late in the day and in their very tech'd out pavilion. Was a tad challenging taking a photo...

I have to be honest, this team has not been on my "warm and fuzzy" list and frankly have not been all that interested in warming up to them since the "keel drama", which they are still awaiting news from the jury on whether they'll reopen the case. There is a new keel in progress and likely fitted onto the boat in Cape Town, so more to come. Today the spirit was uplifting and I rather enjoyed myself during the presentation.

So...warming up to them and enough so to except an invite to tour the base tomorrow and have a chat with Magnus Olsson (SWE) and ask him, "Why he keeps coming back for more?" My gathering, a Swedish version of Jerry Kirby!

Ooo...and speaking of Jerry...the man got a hair cut yesterday...well, he always tells me to, "say it as it is" and just yesterday Mr. Editor (Dave) said about the same, "Tell it how it is..." Ok, so I told Jerry, "it'll grow out by Cape Town..." It's not horrible...just a tad shorter than most of us have come use to seeing with the wild bowman!

Well VOR fans, this was a long one and the day is not over, Team Green Dragon's Media Party and then "swim" home...damn if its not dumped like a Nor'Easter here!

We're on a mission here at Sailing World, please enjoy Jonathan's Blog from the In-port race and stay tuned after the start...we have many more Volvo Ocean Race treats to come (granted still sorting a few of them out for you all!)

Cheers!