The Spanish Volvo Open 70 movistar was relaunched on Sunday and back in training in Cape Town yesterday in preparation for the VOR Leg 2 start on 2 January.

Xabi Fernandez movistar trimmer commented: “Our boat is closer to the maximum weight. Fortunately, we are still below the limit, despite all the reinforcements that we have added in the repairs in Portimao. Otherwise, we would have had to remove weight from the bulb, which, apart from the extra work, would have translated into a reduction in the speed of the boat. You could say that it was excellent news for everybody.”

Bouwe Bekking, skipper added: “The whole team celebrated the boat’s return to the water. After everything we have been through in the last 35 days, it was fantastic to see it tied up to the wharf again.”

Movistar left its base at 1400 hours yesterday to face its first day of sailing since the boat docked in Portimao on the 14 November. During the daily meeting, Bekking informed the rest of the team of the programmed plan for the day: “Basically, we are going to test the hydraulics and see that everything is working properly. That will be about three and a half hours of sailing. Tomorrow will be longer and harder work and, conditions allowing, we will head out to the open sea in search of waves and a stronger wind.”

The movistar found excellent sailing conditions for its first day back in the water, with winds up to 24 knots and waves. “It was a great introduction to South African waters – remarked Bekking back in port afterwards. We’ve only done a few hours of sailing, enough to check that everything is working properly. We’ve checked out the hydraulic system of the keel and as conditions were right, we tested some of the sails. We will set out early tomorrow and train all day.”