Volvo Ocean Race: Telefonica returns to base after 2000nm Qualifier

10:48 AM Wed 31 Aug 2011 GMT

'Team Telefonica arrives in Sanxenxo after 3 months of training in Lanzarote.' Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

The Spanish Volvo Ocean race entry, Telefonica, is back at the pontoon of her training base at Sanxenxo, in Pontevedra, Spain. At 17:30 local time the Spanish boat skippered by Iker Mart?nez, with the entire crew on board, completed the almost one thousand mile climb up the Atlantic from the team's offshore base at Marina Rubic?n, in Lanzarote, to the one in Sanxenxo, Northern Spain. This is where the Spanish crew will be finishing off training ahead of the Volvo Ocean Race, starting on the 29th of October in Alicante, Spain.

Despite rain and fog, there was a strong turnout of fans and curious onlookers at the Juan Carlos I Marina to greet the boat that sails under the local Real Club N?utico de Sanxenxo flag.

Rigger Fernando Sales. Team Telefonica boasts a brand new mast for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Skipper Iker Mart?nez was clear: 'We are back home! We have really been looking forward to this'. However, the Spanish team has some hard work ahead over the coming three weeks in Sanxenxo: 'We still need to make some improvements and that's what we are looking to do here and what we came here for. We are in the final phase leading up to the start and final decisions have to be made and everything must be in place and prepared. We chose to come here to get down to those final details. These are very important weeks for us here,' he said.

Team Telefonica on day 1 of their 700-mile circumnavigation of the Canary Islands. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

With 'Telef?nica' tied up at the moorings at the Juan Carlos I port, the doors of the Real Club N?utico de Sanxenxo (the city's royal yacht club) swung open for a chat with the eleven 'Telef?nica' crew members, as well as members of the shore crew such as Horacio Carabelli -the Technical Director- and I?igo Losada -the team coach-, who each responded to questions concerning their particular departments.

The meeting room hosting the informal chat with the team was full. In a relaxed atmosphere they discussed the preparation behind a team of these characteristics when it comes to facing sailing's most extreme challenge: the Volvo Ocean Race.

Now in Sanxenxo, 'Telef?nica' will be lifted up out of the water for the final touches to be added and then she'll be back where she belongs: on the water, ready to sail.

Pablo Arrarte. Team Telefonica on day 3 of their 700-mile circumnavigation of the Canary Islands. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica on day 2 of their 700-mile circumnavigation of the Canary Islands. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica on day 2 of their 700-mile circumnavigation of the Canary Islands. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Representatives from the council of Vigo, Xunta de Galicia and Real Club Nautico de Vigo receive Team Telefonica as they finish their sail from Lanzarote, to Sanxenxo. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica training base in Lanzarote. - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica leaving Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote for Sanxenxo, to continue training for the Volvo Ocean race 2011-12 - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica leaving Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote for Sanxenxo, to continue training for the Volvo Ocean race 2011-12 - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

Team Telefonica leaving Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote for Sanxenxo, to continue training for the Volvo Ocean race 2011-12 - Maria Muina/Equipo Telefonica Click Here to view large photo

by Sail-World

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