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11 April 2002, 09:17 pm
Interview With Lisa McDonald
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Volvo Ocean Race

Pre start of Leg 6 the skipper of Amer Sports Too talks about the next leg.

Q: Are you looking forward to the next leg?
A: Yes and no to looking forward to leg six, we know what potential leg six has to be one of the roughest and most uncomfortable legs, based on experience from four years ago in the Whitbread race. If you've got very strong northerlies against a very strong southerly current that makes for very unpleasant seaway, very near to land. However, at the moment we're looking to see what the conditions are shaping up to be, and if they end up being conditions which are good for us and good for a smaller, and bit lighter weight crew, then we may have a small advantage over the other teams. At the moment we're just trying to get the boat geared up, make sure that everything works and is back in order, and try to do a little bit of what we did last time, it's potentially a four day race, we'll see what the wind Gods throw at us!

Q: You've had a few problems this stopover, how is Amer Sports Too?
A: The boat is actually in very good shape at the moment, we have a fantastic shore crew, who helped us out with a lick of paint and covered up a few minor dings in the bottom of the boat and the keel. We have been quite busy with our guests and sponsors in town, doing a lot of sailing. At the same time as taking them sailing out here in Miami, we are ensuring the boat is back together and in good shape for leg six.

Q: Have you had a chance to go to Chesapeake and have a look?
A: No, I hear a few people have been up there. I think we know the Chesapeake as the beast she is, and some of the pitfalls to look out for. At the moment we are really concentrating more on the weather on the way up, then once we're up there we'll focus more on what to do when we get there!

Q: Have you sailed this course much before?
A: I have only sailed locally in Miami and Ft Lauderdale, and once all the way up the Chesapeake, twice actually, going up and coming down. We're looking forward to going to Baltimore, it was a fantastic stopover for us last time, and I'm certain it will be the same again.

Q: Any local knowledge onboard? Katie Pettibone, for example?
A: Absolutely, Katie's knowledge of Florida will be superb having been to school here, and having done a lot of sailing in the Miami area, for getting out of here. We're also bringing back Melissa Purdy for this leg, with her tactical background we'll hopefully find a good position amongst the fleet.
Volvo Ocean Race Press/News Editor
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