Builder’s choice? Take control of yacht’s work with Maker’s List. A18
Quell conflicts Ways to help crew work well with others. C1
The alternative Corsica, it’s not Sardinia. Vol.9, No. 3
B1
www.the-triton.com
June 2012
Volvo Ocean Race
39,000nm: Crews push their limits By Andy Woodruff Six international teams are racing 39,000nm around the world in the Volvo Ocean Race, one of sailing’s most challenging events. Each team is crewed by 11 professional sailors on a one-design Volvo Open 70, yachts capable of 600 miles a day and speeds more than 30 knots. The race, formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race, began in October 2011 in Alicante, Spain, and is on leg seven, crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Miami to Lisbon. Teams are French entry Groupama, the United Arab Emirate entry Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, the United States entry Puma Ocean Racing, Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand, Spain’s entry Team Telefónica, and the Chinese entry Team Sanya. Florida sailor Andy Woodruff covered the United States landfall of leg six in Miami, through to the beginning of leg seven’s departure in late May. Following are his reports.
Volvo Open 70s race in Miami before the trans-Atlantic crossing to Lisbon in late May in the Volvo Ocean Race. PHOTO FROM ANDY WOODRUFF
Puma takes Leg 6
After sailing 4,800nm from Brazil to the finish of leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, the United States home team Puma took line honors under blue
skies in Miami on May 9. Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand came in second, just more than an hour later, under a threatening, thunderous sky. Puma was welcomed to the Ocean
How captains hire; an inside look Today’s crew share personal information up front on their CVs. Prominent are their color photographs, nationalities, marital status and whether they have tattoos or smoke. Usually excluded are their religious beliefs, political affiliations and sexual orientation. At this month’s Triton Bridge luncheon, From the Bridge we asked captains if knowing these Dorie Cox characteristics affect how crew are hired for yacht jobs. “This whole business is appearance,” a captain said. “Everything is about the profile; the cosmetics, the dress, all of it.” As always, individual comments are not attributed to any one person in particular so as to encourage frank and
open discussion. The attending captains are identified in a photograph on page A15. “Even yachts are discriminated against, it’s part of the definition of the industry,” another captain said. “That’s what yachting is. Even as far as seamanship, the better looking the yacht, it is seen as a better yacht. Yachts are constantly in competition.” Are yacht crew hired for looking attractive? “In charter, good looks make people comfortable, happy,” a captain said. “Say a waitress is ugly and the food is the same as a place where the waitress is attractive, you might choose the attractive one.” Sometimes crew are hired to fit a “look,” another captain said. Many yachts have a theme or defining characteristics, such as a classic yacht that outfits the crew
See BRIDGE, page A15
Race Village in Miami and Camper delayed its approach as a thunderstorm with driving rain, hailstones, lightning
See VOLVO, page A12
TRITON SURVEY
Where are you going this summer?
– Story, C1
29
21
20 16 11 9 6
6 3
2
1
E. Med U.S. E. Coast W. Med Caribbean Mid. East Other Bahamas Florida U.S. W. Coast S. Pacific Asia