Xabier Fernandez and Iker Martinez grinding under the rain onboard Telefonica Blue, on leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro. Image copyright Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Simon Fisher (helmsman)
The last 24 hours have been some of the coldest on this leg so far. It has been raining non stop. The sky is flat and grey and we have been headed so for much of the time we are close to upwind. The wind has also picked up a little, and whilst this is good for our speed towards the ice gate it also drops the temperature even further.
Everyone has been reaching into their gear bags for more clothing, although Patan (Pablo Arrarte/ESP) wins the award for innovation. It would seem that he feels the cold more than most and is going to new lengths to keep warm! During the middle of the night last night he pulled out his inflatable pillow (presumably once used for sleeping) inflated it and stuck it under his bum so he had a comfy seat and his backside wouldn't feel the cold. Eight hours later, early in the morning, having realised how cold it was last night he appeared on deck with his hat stuffed with little hand warmers that give off heat for a few hours in order to keep his ears warm!!
However, more clothing and Patan's wacky ideas aren't the full extent of the keeping warm regime. It is not uncommon now to see people on deck spinning the pedestal handles round even if there are no sails to trim or even leaping around and exercising in an attempt to warm themselves up. Push ups, tricep dips, squats and lunges are all getting done in the cockpit on a regular basis – Yiyo, our trainer, would be proud!!
Volvo Ocean Race
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