Rookie's ride of a lifetime

Thursday 22 October 2009 10:30 GMT

The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 saw the introduction of the rule requiring two crew members to be 30 years old or younger at the start of the race, to bring young blood into the class and subsequently into the world of offshore racing.

This rule was seen as such a positive addition that in the 2011-12 Volvo Open 70 Rule, published earlier this month, the number of young crew has been increased to three.

Spain's Antonio Cuervas-Mons, "Neti", is a product of this rule, which gave a new generation of sailors experience of offshore sailing at the highest level.

For Cuervas-Mons, an under 30 crew member on Telefonica Black in 2008-09, life has changed forever after his first Volvo Ocean Race. "I am aware that the under 30 rule opened a door for me and if it wasn't for the current rules, it would have been really difficult for me to get on a Volvo Open 70," he said. " I had little experience of offshore racing and thanks to the Rule, I could compete in the Volvo Ocean Race.

"My colleagues and I are really grateful for the rule. I think it is really positive, otherwise my generation would not be able to move up into a top class event like the Volvo.

"I did not have very much experience before the start, it was limited to a double-handed race from the UK to Santander (Spain) and a lot of sailing in the IMS fleet, TP52 circuit and other big boats. 

"I think it has been a brave decision (the modified rule) and I can benefit again from it as I will still be under 30 for the next race.

"There are a lot of young sailors who will be able to give 100 per cent and they only need a chance. Quite often these young sailors do have experience on big boats and, as the Volvo Open 70 evolves, the boats are becoming more physical.

"There are six grinders now instead of two, stacking is quite tough with the weight of some of the sails over a hundred kilos. So younger and fitter people are needed onboard.

"My professional career has changed direction by 180 degrees and I believe it will not be difficult for me to return to extreme offshore racing. Directly after the finish of the Volvo I returned to my hometown of Santander and raced in the J80 worlds, which was a completely different experience, but it wasn't long until I was offshore again.

"Soon I was preparing and racing on the Istanbul Round Europe Race on an Open 60, and in a few weeks' time I am sailing on a transoceanic race. The Round Europe Race was a great experience. It wasn't as extreme as the Volvo Ocean Race, but it has helped me grow as a sailor. On that race you are in one gear below the Volvo, but it's a risky competition too."

But did 28-year-old Cuervas-Mons imagine his life changing so dramatically after the Volvo Ocean Race?

"I found out about the 'under 30 rule' when I was sailing with Bouwe Bekking on board the TP52 Bribon and I was thrilled when the announcement was made public in 2007. The only thing I could think about was, 'I want to be there'. I went to Alicante to try out with the team and things went well and they called me back.

"I was lucky as I had met and raced with Bouwe, Fernando Echavarri, Pepe Rives and Pedro Campos before. Jono Swain and Pepe Ribes had taught me a lot during the training sessions and they helped me a lot. I must thank them for that. There are a lot of things you only can learn from the experience.

"Truthfully, I only realised what offshore sailing was really like after the first leg. Only when we arrived in Cape Town did I think about what we had done and that I wanted this to be my future way of life.

"At the start line in Alicante I didn't really have a clear idea of what we were going to face, but I did know we were ready for it, just not what was going to happen in the first few days. I knew it was going to be a challenge. 

"My attitude onboard was to work really hard, and learn from the others with more experience. For us, the under 30s, the rule has given us a chance, both on a personal and professional level, but I feel that I still have a thorn in my side: Cape Horn. And I want to race back round it."

 Interview: Helena De La Gandara

 

Related Videos

• INTERVIEW WITH ANTONIO CUERVAS-MONS